GUILTY NM - 11 children found in "filthy" compound with little food, training to commit terrorism, Taos, Aug 2018

[Gardenista]

Michael Weinman, a member of Taos’ small Muslim community, said Friday that arrangements had been made for a motel room for defendant Lucas Morton, but the motel backed out. He said he’s concerned that’s “going to be the story everywhere in Taos.”

He said word had been sent to Taos-area churches to ask if they could help find accommodations.”I think helping prisoners is an obligation of all religions,” he said.

AG's Office looking into release of compound suspects

I guess this means that members of his own community won't take them in. Wonder why

 

[Niner]

Two adults from compound now held on cash-only bonds

Tuesday, defendants Lucas Morton, 40, and Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, were ordered held under $5,000 cash-only bonds by Taos Magistrate Court Judge Ernest Ortega on the trespassing charges.

 

[katydid23]

Two adults from compound now held on cash-only bonds

Some organization is going to come up with that cash and get them released. CAIR maybe?

 

[Niner]

Three compound defendants file to dismiss charges

TAOS – Lawyers for three of the defendants arrested at a remote Taos County compound earlier this month have filed motions to dismiss the child abuse charges against them, arguing that prosecutors missed a crucial deadline.

The dismissal motions were filed by lawyers for Lucas Morton, 40, Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, and Hujrah Wahhaj, 37. The lawyers say that prosecutors missed a 10-day deadline to hold preliminary hearings for the incarcerated defendants to determine if there is sufficient “probable cause” to proceed to trial, and that the child abuse charges therefore should be dismissed.
[.....]
Officials said Thursday that Georgia is no longer seeking extradition of Siraj Ibn Wahhaj. That means he now faces the same conditions of release as Morton, Subhanah Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj. They can get out of jail if they have places to stay – under a controversial decision by District Court Judge Sarah Backus last week – but all of the defendants have remained in custody, because they can’t find local accommodations.
[.....]
Tom Clark, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj’s attorney, said Thursday that he planned to file a similar motion to dismiss.

There was no comment from the District Attorney’s Office.
[.....]
In another development Thursday, a magistrate judge rescinded $5,000 cash-only bonds for Morton and Subhanah Wahhaj that had been imposed for criminal trespassing citations.
[.....]
Ortega changed the bond to a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond, meaning the two defendants have to pay only if they are found to have violated any conditions of release.
....An appeal of Judge Backus’ decision to allow the defendants out of jail is expected.

oh geez....

 

[MicheleT]

Three compound defendants file to dismiss charges

oh geez....

Worse - Georgia doesn't want the "father" of the little boy who was kidnapped and buried on the compound.

 

[Niner]

Yep! Wondering why Georgia is not seeking extradition?

Leveille has an arraignment hearing on 9/5 for criminal trespass charges, and Morton has pretrial hearing on 10/25 for criminal trespassing charges. There is still no charges against Morton for child abuse....

 

[Jax49]

New Mexico compound: Final hours of 3-year-old boy's life revealed - CNN

"Prosecutors brought the first charges in connection with the boy's death Friday, revealing more details of what may have been the final hours of his life.

The boy's father, Siraj Wahhaj, 40 and his partner, Jany Leveille, 35, were charged with abuse of a child resulting in the death, a first-degree felony with a penalty of up to life in prison, court documents show. They were also charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse, also a first-degree felony."

bbm

 

[Niner]

Judge freed suspects, now evidence of terrorism plot added to murder, abuse on New Mexican compound

Roughly a week after a Democrat state judge from New Mexico granted bond to five Islamic radicals who were caught at a compound training abused children to be school shooters, prosecutors shared disturbing evidence in court that the five may be planning a terrorist attack.

The evidence included a document found at the compound titled, “Phrases of a Terrorist Attack,” that listed detailed instructions on how to plan and execute a terror attack, according to CNN, which had a chance to review the prosecutors’ filing.

It specifically listed “instructions for ‘The one-time terrorist,’ instructions on the use of a ‘choke point,’ a location ‘called the ideal attack site,’ the ‘ability to defend the safe haven,’ the ‘ability to escape-perimeter rings,’ and ‘sniper position detection procedure,'” the filing reportedly read

more at link

 

[K_Z]

New Mexico compound suspects allegedly planned to attack Atlanta's Grady Hospital

New Mexico compound suspects allegedly planned to attack Atlanta's Grady Hospital - CNN

Two in New Mexico compound planned attack on Grady hospital, documents say

Duo tied to New Mexico compound planned attack on Grady hospital, documents show

 

[K_Z]

Children allegedly cleaned dead boy as punishment
Children at the compound said some of the rituals involving the boy would last up to five hours a day, prosecutors say.
In a motion filed Friday, prosecutors asked a judge to reconsider an order that granted bond to all five adults arrested at the compound. As part of their request, investigators cited new evidence on the case.
"During these rituals," the motion states, "Abdul-Ghani would cry and his eyes would roll back into his head. One of the children assisted in the washing of Ghani's body, after Ghani died, and the body would be washed once a week at first, then once every two days."
The children would be punished by washing the body if they disobeyed the adults or were disrespectful, the document says.

New charges filed over child's death at N.M. compound

 

[K_Z]

For months, Hakima Ramzi wondered where her son was. His father had taken him to a park in November of last year and never returned.

‘He’s Now in My Heart’: Mother of Boy Found Dead at New Mexico Compound Remembers Son

 

[K_Z]

It appears that little Abdul was alive for at most, 4 to 6 weeks after being abducted by his father in Georgia. Jany Leveille's digital "diary" reveals that Abdul likely died December 24th, 2017. His remains were found August 3, so he likely had been dead for about 8 months.

Given the extreme heat and dry conditions, and the tiny size of the child, I suspect this child's remains were somewhat dried/ mummified in the tunnel. Hopefully that will allow some additional forensic testing for things like tissue levels of his previously known anti-seizure medications, as well as other toxins/ chemicals he could have been given. (But I'm not sure if that is possible with the lengthy period of time he was deceased.)

Almost certainly the cause of death for this severely disabled child is from complications of uncontrolled seizures brought on by abrupt withdrawal of his anti-seizure medications (medical term is "status epilepticus"). The mortality rate for delayed treatment for SE is very high in children, especially children with an underlying neurological condition.

Little Abdul almost certainly had no medical treatment at all from the time he left his mother. And was likely extremely dehydrated and severely weakened by his ordeal in the makeshift desert shanty compound.

That there were dirty diapers strewn around the compound (several articles mention) reveals that he may have lived there and been cared for somewhat for a period of a few days or weeks. The children's ages ranged from 1 to 15-- logically, the diapers probably belonged to Abdul and/ or the 1 year old-- the older children were probably old enough to be toilet trained. Abdul could not walk, talk, or feed himself-- logic indicates he was not able to be toilet trained.

IMO, the defendants will try to explain Abdul's death as an "accident", and will cite their religious beliefs ("religious freedom") as "justification" for withholding his medications and advanced care, and substituting "casting out demon rituals" for proper lifesaving medical care.

However, plenty of cases of medically distressed minors involving Jehovah's witness parents, Christian Science parents, and other religious belief claims will show that this kind of defense has not been, and will not be accepted by the courts in the death of a child. For decades, courts have consistently held that the religious beliefs of parents cannot be invoked to withhold life saving medical care for minors. Abdul's father clearly knew his son had severe medical disabilities, and required life saving medications and care.

For months, Hakima Ramzi wondered where her son was. His father had taken him to a park in November of last year and never returned.

‘He’s Now in My Heart’: Mother of Boy Found Dead at New Mexico Compound Remembers Son

Abdul-Ghani had a medical condition since birth that caused seizures and required medication. His mother first reported him missing in early December.

*What was the interval between him being taken to the park, and her reporting him missing? Days or weeks? Why the delay reporting him missing? Marriage status issues? No legal custody arrangement? Immigration issues?

Children at the compound said some of the rituals involving the boy would last up to five hours a day, prosecutors say.

"During these rituals," the motion states, "Abdul-Ghani would cry and his eyes would roll back into his head.

On Christmas Eve, Leveille wrote, the boy "seemed overly exhausted" while his father recited the Quran as usual. Wahhaj is believed to have performed a religious ritual meant to cast out demonic spirits from his son's body, prosecutors previously said.

Hours later, Wahhaj told her the boy's heartbeat was going in and out.
But "checking with Allah, I assured him to have no fear, and that it was perhaps an illusion," she wrote in her journal, according to the complaint.

Abdul-Ghani's heart stopped beating several times. When his father told his partner, who was cooking a meal, she told him to stop worrying.

"Five minutes later, (Wahhaj) itemized that Abdul-Ghani's heartbeat never returned. Shouting as loud as I could, I stated: 'What do you mean it's not back? That's impossible.'"

New Mexico compound: Final hours of 3-year-old boy's life revealed - CNN

The child was comatose, and in severe distress, according to the defendant's own journal. The father knew it. Everyone there knew it. Yet they did nothing. They had a vehicle/ truck and gasoline-- discussed in other articles. They didn't even attempt to seek any outside help. I'd argue that's clearly second degree murder. Hopefully all of the charges for all 4 adults will be upgraded to murder at some point.

Some info on status epilepticus:

Status epilepticus - Wikipedia

Mortality Associated with Status Epilepticus

Delays Raise Death Risk in Kids with Status Epilepticus

 

[K_Z]

Yep! Wondering why Georgia is not seeking extradition?

Leveille has an arraignment hearing on 9/5 for criminal trespass charges, and Morton has pretrial hearing on 10/25 for criminal trespassing charges. There is still no charges against Morton for child abuse....

BBM. Probably because the felony child abuse leading to death charges are "higher" than whatever kidnapping or non-custodial abduction charges could be brought by the state of Georgia. New Mexico gets first prosecution attempt.

The really interesting question is whether Federal felony charges are being prepared, since the child was kidnapped/ abducted across state lines, leading directly to his death. Sure looks to me that federal jurisdiction could apply, as well as state crimes.

I hope federal terrorism conspiracy charges are also being prepared for the planned attack on Grady hospital in Atlanta.

I think they are all still in custody, despite the judge's ridiculous bond ruling. Hopefully, all 4 will stay in custody.

 

[Niner]

snipped by me...
His remains were found August 3, so he likely had been dead for about 8 months.

Actually, he was found on August 6th, his 4th birthday. For some reason I remember that and I have that in my notes.

snipped again....
*What was the interval between him being taken to the park, and her reporting him missing? Days or weeks? Why the delay reporting him missing? Marriage status issues? No legal custody arrangement? Immigration issues?

I have December 1, 2017 when he was reported missing by mom. On the rest of your questions - there are older articles in the beginning of the thread.

snipped....
BBM. Probably because the felony child abuse leading to death charges are "higher" than whatever kidnapping or non-custodial abduction charges could be brought by the state of Georgia. New Mexico gets first prosecution attempt.

Thank you for the explanation!

and as far as I have read, yes, they are all still in custody.

 

[katydid23]

I predict that nothing will come of the charges. The judge will find some way to let it all go away, and let them go free. JMO

 

[Jennifer17]

I predict that nothing will come of the charges. The judge will find some way to let it all go away, and let them go free. JMO

Yeah? Do you think that the extreme Christian man who starved hiw child to death will find a judge to let it all go away too?
What is the difference between one extreme religion than another. Mind you, they are all male religious extremists.

 

[Gardenista]

Yeah? Do you think that the extreme Christian man who starved hiw child to death will find a judge to let it all go away too?
What is the difference between one extreme religion than another. Mind you, they are all male religious extremists.

The Christians involved in the crime are in prison. Not all of the Taos people are.

 

[MicheleT]

A few more articles.
New Mexico compound family struggled with life off the grid

Now that the property is no longer a crime scene, it's up to its owners, Jason and Tanya Badger, to clear it. They believe they saw the missing boy during visits to the compound in January and February, though prosecutors say the boy was dead by then.

Two linked to 'extremist Muslim' New Mexico compound wanted to attack hospital, prosecutors say

Prosecutors in Taos County, citing interviews with the 11 children found at the compound earlier this month, claimed in the filing that Jany Leveille wanted to "confront 'corrupt' institutions or individuals ... and reveal the 'truth' to these corrupt institutions or individuals."

 

[Niner]

Looks like they are in court today.

State hopes to keep NM compound suspects behind bars

August 29, 2018 10:59 AM

TAOS COUNTY, N.M. - The five suspects arrested at a compound in northern New Mexico are expected in court today as prosecutors hope to keep them behind bars pending trial.
[.....]
Today the state is expected to introduce new evidence and ask the court to reconsider granting pretrial release.
[.....]
Also happening today, first appearances will be held for Siraj Wahhaj and Jany Leveille on newly filed charges of first-degree child abuse resulting in death and second-degree felony conspiracy to commit child abuse.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, August 29th:
*Hearing for all (@ see below) – NM – 11 Children (ages 1 to 15 found 8/3/18 in filthy NM compound)
First Appearance (@ 1pm MT) - *Maryam Jany Leveille (35) (wife of Siraj) arrested (8/3/18) on 11 felony counts of child abuse & criminal trespassing charges, also charged (8/24/18) with 1st degree abuse of a child resulting in death & 1st degree conspiracy to commit child abuse. Held without bond.
Next arraignment hearing for criminal trespassing charges on 9/5.
8/8/18 Update: To be held without bond, Detention hearing set for 8/10; 3rd degree child abuse changed to just child abuse.
8/13/18 Update: Judge set bail at $20K to be placed on house arrest with electronic ankle bracelets & to remain in Taos County, plus other conditions (see below). But will not be released as ICE has custody of her now.
8/14/18 Update: ICE has take Leveille into custody-illegally in the U.S. for the past plus 20 years from Haiti. Will appear before Judge re immigration status. No dates given.
8/20/18 Update: Charged with criminal trespassing, hearing on 9/5.
*Detention/Motion Hearing (@ 1pm MT) - *Siraj Ibn Wahhaj (39) arrested & charged (8/3/18) on 11 felony counts of child abuse, also charged (8/24/18) with 1st degree abuse of a child resulting in death & 1st degree conspiracy to commit child abuse. Held without bond.
8/8/18 Update: To be held without bond, Motions hearing on 8/13 on child abuse charges; Fugitive from justice status hearing on 9/12. Requested a speedy trial.
8/13/18 Update: Judge said Siraj would remain in custody due to a fugitive warrant against him in Georgia stemming from the cross-country manhunt.
8/23/18 Update: Originally arrested (8/3/18) on suspicion of child abduction of his son Abdul-Ghani (2) reported missing 12/1/17 found buried at compound on his 4th birthday 8/6/18. Hearing on previous warrant that seeks his extradition to face charges of abducting son in Georgia. Georgia is no longer seeking to extradite Wahhaj. Charges for fugitive from justice have been dismissed. He will now face only the 11 counts of child abuse & new charges on 8/24/18.
Motion Hearing (@ 10am) & Detention Hearing (@ 1pm MT) - *Hujrah Wahhaj (38) arrested (8/3/18) on 11 felony counts of child abuse. $20K bond.
8/8/18 Update: To be held without bond, Detention hearing set for 8/13.
8/13/18 Update: Judge set bail at $20K to be placed on house arrest with electronic ankle bracelets & to remain in Taos County, plus other conditions (see below). Next hearing 9/28.
8/22/18 Update: Charged with criminal trespassing, but bail was waived (a different judge than the other 2 suspects).
Motion Hearing (@ 10am) & Detention Hearing (@ 1pm MT) - *Subhannan Wahhaj (33) (wife of Morton) arrested (8/3/18) on 11 felony counts of child abuse. $20K bond.
8/8/18 Update: To be held without bond, Detention hearing set for 8/13.
8/13/18 Update: Judge set bail at $20K to be placed on house arrest with electronic ankle bracelets & to remain in Taos County, plus other conditions (see below). Next hearing 9/28.
8/16/18 Update: Charged with criminal trespassing, ordered held under $5,000 cash-only bond. On 8/23/18 Judge rescinds cash-only bond & changed the bond to a $5K unsecured appearance bond.
Hearing ?? – nothing on court site - *Laqman Lucas Allen Morton (40) arrested (8/3/18) on suspicion of harboring a fugitive & 11 felony counts of child abuse. Next pretrial hearing for criminal trespassing charges on 10/25.
8/8/18 Update: All charges were dismissed. No further charges filed on court site as of 8/17.
8/13/18 Update: Judge set bail at $20K to be placed on house arrest with electronic ankle bracelets & to remain in Taos County, plus other conditions (see below).
8/16/18 Update: Charged with criminal trespassing, ordered held under $5,000 cash-only bond. On 8/23/18 Judge rescinds cash-only bond & changed the bond to a $5K unsecured appearance bond.
8/13/18 Update: District Judge Sarah Backus said at the end of the 4-hour detention she is unconvinced that the defendants posed a danger to the community and set bail at $20,000 for each of them. Under terms of the judge’s order, four defendants were expected to be placed under house arrest with electronic ankle bracelets to ensure they remain within Taos County for the duration of the case. Clark said Siraj Ibn Wahhaj would remain in custody due to a fugitive warrant against him in Georgia stemming from the cross-country manhunt. Also Leveille will remain in custody of ICE.
8/24/18 Update: Defense files for dismissal motions by lawyers for Lucas Morton, 40, Subhanah Wahhaj, 35, and Hujrah Wahhaj, 37. The lawyers say that prosecutors missed a 10-day deadline to hold preliminary hearings for the incarcerated defendants to determine if there is sufficient “probable cause” to proceed to trial, and that the child abuse charges therefore should be dismissed.
Officials said Thursday that Georgia is no longer seeking extradition of Siraj Ibn Wahhaj. That means he now faces the same conditions of release as Morton, Subhanah Wahhaj and Hujrah Wahhaj.
A magistrate judge rescinded $5,000 cash-only bonds for Morton and Subhanah Wahhaj that had been imposed for criminal trespassing citations. Ortega changed the bond to a $5,000 unsecured appearance bond, meaning the two defendants have to pay only if they are found to have violated any conditions of release.
8/25/18 Update: Prosecutors brought the first charges in connection with the boy's death Friday, revealing more details of what may have been the final hours of his life. The boy's father, Siraj Wahhaj, 40 and his partner, Jany Leveille, 35, were charged with abuse of a child resulting in the death, a first-degree felony with a penalty of up to life in prison, court documents show. They were also charged with conspiracy to commit child abuse, also a first-degree felony. In a motion filed Friday, prosecutors asked a judge to reconsider an order that granted bond to all five adults arrested at the compound. As part of their request, investigators cited new evidence on the case. In the criminal complaint, investigators say Wahhaj and Leveille did not give the child his seizure medication, which eventually led to his death.
8/29/18 Update: Today the state is expected to introduce new evidence and ask the court to reconsider granting pretrial release. Also happening today, first appearances will be held for Siraj Wahhaj and Jany Leveille on newly filed charges of first-degree child abuse resulting in death and second-degree felony conspiracy to commit child abuse.