Staff Reports
In a disappointing verdict, a jury has found both defendants in journalist Andy Ngo’s civil trial not liable for the claims made against them. This comes after Ngo, an investigative reporter for The Post Millennial, was brutally beaten by members of Rose City Antifa while undercover in Portland. Ngo sought nearly $1 million in damages for assault, battery, theft, and emotional distress caused by the violent attacks he endured.
The Jury's Verdict in Andy Ngo's Case Against Antifa Sends Shockwaves https://t.co/PuVa6AIwco
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) August 9, 2023
During the trial, defense attorney Michelle Burrows proudly proclaimed herself as an Antifa supporter and claimed that Antifa’s reputation as a violent organization is untrue. She argued that Antifa is actually fighting for social justice and civil rights. It is alarming that a defense attorney would openly align herself with an organization known for its violent tactics.
https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial/status/1686080791640788993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1686080791640788993%7Ctwgr%5E6ba28b294746e90c5621317a98c051161a98b2fa%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftownhall.com%2Ftipsheet%2Fmiacathell%2F2023%2F08%2F09%2Fandy-ngo-antifa-trial-hacker-testimony-n2626762
DAY TWO: Part One – Trial of Andy Ngo vs. Rose City Antifa, et al@MrAndyNgo testifies, Antifa disrupts court proceedings, and Judge threatens to hold individuals in contempt of court ? pic.twitter.com/MW6eVhHzhv
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 3, 2023
Antifa is threatening to show up to the courtroom where @MrAndyNgo’s trial against Rose City Antifa and its alleged members is taking place.
The call to action resulted in threats of violence made towards Ngo.
“Anybody who assaults Andy should be given a medal.” pic.twitter.com/CqYyeyDPwO
— Katie Daviscourt ?? (@KatieDaviscourt) August 2, 2023
Two more sheriff’s have just arrived. She is still refusing to leave.
I am not allowed to identify who this is individual is because of the judge’s media restrictions, but she is a known Antifa disrupter.
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 4, 2023
Antifa defendant Elizabeth Renee Richter, also known as the alleged “doxxer,” just confronted me inside the courthouse.
She is roaming around with other members of Antifa— They called me a plethora of names and implied threats. Very unprofessional.
— Katie Daviscourt ?? (@KatieDaviscourt) August 8, 2023
When we started @Liberty_Ctr to stand up for the first amendment and other civil rights of clients who would otherwise have gone unrepresented, @MrAndyNgo's case was the first one we took. Antifa thugs had repeatedly used violence in Portland to intimidate and silence journalists… https://t.co/mVKxphDsCf
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) August 9, 2023
The entire country watched these criminals brutally attack Andy.
This verdict not only emboldens ANTIFA terrorists, but sets the precedent for future attacks on anyone who dares to report on/defy the domestic terrorists who run blue cities ahead of 2024https://t.co/e0CVkiFXxr
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) August 9, 2023
Jury nullification.
Deep blue areas will convict the innocent and free the guilty.
This ruling is legalized lynching and open season on all conservatives.https://t.co/SYggUTXiLZ
— Cernovich (@Cernovich) August 8, 2023
This is going to be the norm for trials in blue cities. If you are a conservative, the jurors will be intimidated into voting against you while letting actual violent criminals out of jail.https://t.co/4Z2nM1dxil
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) August 9, 2023
Smear artist @AReidRoss is a pathological liar. He lied to my editor and admitted it. He lied about giving @RaniaKhalek right of reply. He lied about where he was writing. And his defamatory article was full of lies. He has no place writing for the SPLC.https://t.co/sDcpAhR8L5
— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) March 10, 2018
ALLEGATIONS: John Colin Hacker (continued)
On May 28, 2021, Hacker allegedly participated in events that resulted in Andy Ngo being beaten by a mob of alleged Antifa members.
Ngo was observing Antifa attacks on the Portland Justice Center and the Portland Police Central… pic.twitter.com/ayD4Z1IKnY
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 31, 2023
In Ngo v Rose City Antifa, et al., the court learned that co-defendant John Hacker admitted to identifying me to another person verbally shortly before I was accosted & then chased & beaten by black bloc Antifa militants. He claimed to not know the identities of the black bloc… pic.twitter.com/L59lD0ZOyi
— Andy Ngô ?️? (@MrAndyNgo) August 9, 2023
Opening Statement: Defense Hacker
Michelle Burrows, attorney for John Colin Hacker, began her opening statement arguing before the jury that while admitting her client had committed a crime at the gym on May 7, 2019, Hacker was not involved in the physical assaults that took… pic.twitter.com/jyQZaJzQeE
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 2, 2023
ALLEGATIONS: Elizabeth Renee Richter, according to Ngo’s complaint.
On May 28, 2021, Richter allegedly followed Ngo into The Nines Hotel before she was kicked out by hotel staff.
While outside the hotel, Richter is allegedly heard screaming on video, “I can’t wait for you to… pic.twitter.com/GVuu1rtYNv
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 31, 2023
Yamamoto told the jury that during this time, Ngo was "not popular" and was merely a "ground investigative journalist" that found a niche in covering political protests due to the lack of reporting by mainstream media during times of hyper-political polarization in the US. The…
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) August 2, 2023
"Let's be clear, there aren't sides here. Mr Ngo did not instigate this incident & he was victimized here … I think he's blameless."
Despite Judge Eric Dahlin finding I was a victim in Oregon v. John Colin Hacker, he would not convict the #Portland #Antifa member of robbery. pic.twitter.com/Kd1VySviaO
— Andy Ngô ?️? (@MrAndyNgo) November 18, 2022
Furthermore, the trial was plagued with safety concerns for the jurors who feared being doxxed. The judge had to issue court orders banning the public and non-credentialed press from the courtroom due to disruptive behavior. It is concerning that the trial was marred by such security issues, which could have influenced the jury’s decision.
Throughout the trial, Ngo and his colleague Katie Daviscourt faced harassment from Antifa’s associates. This further highlights the hostile and violent nature of this extremist group. It is a shame that this trial did not hold the Antifa attackers accountable for their actions.
In a disturbing turn of events, a controversial professor who identifies as Antifa was called as an “expert” witness by the defense. This professor, known for comparing conservatives to the Ku Klux Klan, smeared Ngo without any evidence. It is clear that the defense was more interested in attacking Ngo’s credibility than providing evidence for their clients’ innocence.
One of the alleged Antifa attackers broke down in tears during his testimony and apologized to Ngo. While this may seem like a moment of remorse, it is important to remember that this individual was already implicated in broadcasting Ngo’s location, encouraging others to assault him, and participating in the mob attack.
Overall, this trial was a missed opportunity to hold Antifa extremists accountable for their violent actions. It is unfortunate that Ngo, a diligent journalist, continues to face harassment and threats for simply doing his job. Freedom of the press should be protected, and those who engage in violence should be held responsible. We must continue to stand up against Antifa’s tactics and demand justice for victims like Andy Ngo.
