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Wrongly Convicted Database Record
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Charge: |
Disorderly Conduct |
Sentence: |
Exonerated After Conviction But Prior to Sentencing |
Years Imprisoned: |
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Year Crime: |
2017 |
Year Convicted: |
2017 |
Year Cleared: |
2017 |
U.S. State or Country of Crime: |
District of Columbia |
County or Region of Crime: |
District of Columbia |
City of Crime: |
Washington D.C. |
Result: |
Judicially Exonerated |
Summary of Case: |
"Desiree Anita Fairooz aka Desiree Ali-Fairooz was wrongly convicted on May 3, 2017 of two counts of misdemeanor "unlawful conduct on the capital grounds" in Washington D.C. on January 10, 2017. The prosecution of Desiree Fairooz was based on her disrupting the U.S. Senate's confirmation hearing for Senator Jeff Session's nomination by President-elect for U.S. Attorney General -- after she laughed during the proceedings she caused a ruckus when she was asked to leave the room. Fairooz was arrested during the hearings. She was released on bond. She was charged on January 19, 2017, and she pled not guilty when she was arraigned on January 25, 2017. She was released on bond. During her trial the prosecution argued to the jury that her laughing during the hearing was sufficient to find her guilty. After a jury trial Fairooz was convicted in the Washington D. C. Superior Court. On June 12, 2017 Fairooz filed the "Defendant's Motion for Judgement of Acquittal." On July 14, 2017 Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin granted Fairooz' motion and ordered a new trial on both counts, stating that "The court is concerned about the government's theory" that Fairooz' laughter alone was sufficient to constitute commission of the crime. On September 1, 2017 it was recorded in the case file that Fairooz rejected a plea offer, and her retrial was scheduled to begin November 13, 2017. On November 6, 2017 the prosecution filed the "Government's Notice of Nolle Prosequi." Judge Morin granted the motion the same day." |
Conviction Caused By: |
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Innocence Proved By: |
"On June 12, 2017 Fairooz filed the "Defendant's Motion for Judgement of Acquittal." On July 14, 2017 Superior Court Judge Robert E. Morin granted Fairooz' motion and ordered a new trial on both counts, stating that "The court is concerned about the government's theory" that Fairooz' laughter alone was sufficient to constitute commission of the crime. On September 1, 2017 it was recorded in the case file that Fairooz rejected a plea offer, and her retrial was scheduled to begin November 13, 2017. On November 6, 2017 the prosecution filed the "Government's Notice of Nolle Prosequi." Judge Morin granted the motion the same day." |
Defendant Aided By: |
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Compensation Awarded: |
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Was Perpetrator Identified? |
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Age When Imprisoned: |
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Age When Released: |
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Sex: |
Female |
Skin/Ethnicity: |
White |
Information Source 1: |
"USA v. Ali-Fairooz, Desiree Anita, Case No. 2017 CMD 001089 (Washington DC Superior Ct.) -- Docket last viewed 11-7-2017" |
Information Location 1: |
https://www.dccourts.gov/eaccess/search.page.3.1?x=KsYlJpfHQ7OSPi3zIusvSkYN5cOPgwG96*D4SFela8WkJaVCsyyuCa9*OCT7ObfCE4w1xnb9DGTWLJJhkNYDXw |
Information Source 2: |
"People Are Horrified Woman Who Laughed During Sessions’ Hearing Could Go to Prison, By Lindsey Ellefson, LawNewz.com, May 3, 2017" |
Information Location 2: |
https://lawnewz.com/high-profile/people-are-horrified-woman-who-laughed-during-sessions-hearing-could-go-to-prison/ |
Information Source 3: |
"Conviction Overturned For Woman Who Laughed During Sessions Hearing, By Alberto Luperon, LawNewz.com, July 14, 2017" |
Information Location 3: |
https://lawnewz.com/high-profile/conviction-overturned-for-woman-who-laughed-during-sessions-hearing/ |
Information Source 4: |
"Prosecutors Drop Case Against Woman Charged for Laughing at Jeff Sessions, By Ronn Blitzer, LawNewz.com, November 7, 2017" |
Information Location 4: |
https://lawnewz.com/high-profile/prosecutors-drop-case-against-woman-charged-for-laughing-at-jeff-sessions/ |
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Innocents Database Created and Maintained by Hans Sherrer innocents@forejustice.org