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Arizona border activist who gave water to migrants faces second trial Arizona border activist who gave water to migrants faces second trial
(about 20 hours later)
Prosecutors accuse Scott Warren, a volunteer with a migrant aid group, of harboring migrants trying to avert authoritiesProsecutors accuse Scott Warren, a volunteer with a migrant aid group, of harboring migrants trying to avert authorities
An Arizona border activist accused of harboring migrants who snuck across the US-Mexico border goes on trial for the second time Tuesday, insisting he was simply trying to help two men in need.An Arizona border activist accused of harboring migrants who snuck across the US-Mexico border goes on trial for the second time Tuesday, insisting he was simply trying to help two men in need.
The first trial for Scott Warren, 37, who is a volunteer with the migrant aid group No More Deaths, ended in a mistrial last June when the jury deadlocked. The group drops off water for migrants in the desert and runs a camp to aid injured migrants. Prosecutors have said Warren conspired to help the men avert authorities. The first trial for Scott Warren, 37, who is a volunteer with the migrant aid group No More Deaths, ended in a mistrial last June when the jury deadlocked. The group drops off water for migrants in the desert and runs a camp to aid injured migrants. Prosecutors have said Warren conspired to help the men evade authorities.
Following jury selection, prosecutors were expected to make their opening statements Tuesday afternoon.Following jury selection, prosecutors were expected to make their opening statements Tuesday afternoon.
Warren and his supporters have said the government under Donald Trump has increasingly scrutinized humanitarian groups at the border – and prosecutors have asked the judge to prohibit Warren from mentioning Trump during the trial, according to court documents.Warren and his supporters have said the government under Donald Trump has increasingly scrutinized humanitarian groups at the border – and prosecutors have asked the judge to prohibit Warren from mentioning Trump during the trial, according to court documents.
They have argued that any mention of the president or his administration would be irrelevant and that doing so would pose the danger of unfair prejudice.They have argued that any mention of the president or his administration would be irrelevant and that doing so would pose the danger of unfair prejudice.
Warren’s defense attorneys have said that the government’s request would violate Warren’s rights and that the prosecution has not shown in what way it would suffer if the president were mentioned. The judge has not ruled on that request.Warren’s defense attorneys have said that the government’s request would violate Warren’s rights and that the prosecution has not shown in what way it would suffer if the president were mentioned. The judge has not ruled on that request.
Warren, of the small town of Ajo about 40 miles (65km) from the border, faces two felony counts of harboring.Warren, of the small town of Ajo about 40 miles (65km) from the border, faces two felony counts of harboring.
While Warren has said he was performing a humanitarian mission to help migrants in need, prosecutors contend he conspired and that they were never in distress. They say Warren gave them directions on how to avoid a border patrol checkpoint when they left the No More Deaths camp in Ajo in January 2018.While Warren has said he was performing a humanitarian mission to help migrants in need, prosecutors contend he conspired and that they were never in distress. They say Warren gave them directions on how to avoid a border patrol checkpoint when they left the No More Deaths camp in Ajo in January 2018.
Warren is one of nine No More Deaths members who have been charged with crimes related to their work, although he’s the only facing felony charges.Warren is one of nine No More Deaths members who have been charged with crimes related to their work, although he’s the only facing felony charges.
Warren’s arrest came months after border patrol agents began an investigation into the No More Deaths camp, according to documents released after news organizations sued to get them.Warren’s arrest came months after border patrol agents began an investigation into the No More Deaths camp, according to documents released after news organizations sued to get them.
The documents show that in April 2017, an anonymous Ajo resident told border patrol officials that he suspected members of the group were harboring immigrants in their building, known as “the Barn”.The documents show that in April 2017, an anonymous Ajo resident told border patrol officials that he suspected members of the group were harboring immigrants in their building, known as “the Barn”.
About three months later, federal and local officials detained members for allegedly vandalizing a camera at Cabeza Prieta national wildlife refuge, where they regularly left water jugs.About three months later, federal and local officials detained members for allegedly vandalizing a camera at Cabeza Prieta national wildlife refuge, where they regularly left water jugs.
In November, agents interviewed residents who said they had noticed more traffic and littering outside “the Barn”.In November, agents interviewed residents who said they had noticed more traffic and littering outside “the Barn”.
Agents eventually encountered a man who said he had traveled across the desert with two other men who were picked up by a van.Agents eventually encountered a man who said he had traveled across the desert with two other men who were picked up by a van.
Suspecting they might be at the No More Deaths building, agents began watching “the Barn” on 17 January 2018, arresting Warren and the two Central American migrants. The men were deported after providing video testimony.Suspecting they might be at the No More Deaths building, agents began watching “the Barn” on 17 January 2018, arresting Warren and the two Central American migrants. The men were deported after providing video testimony.
Thousands of immigrants have died crossing the border since the mid-1990s, when increased enforcement pushed many to Arizona’s scorching desert.Thousands of immigrants have died crossing the border since the mid-1990s, when increased enforcement pushed many to Arizona’s scorching desert.