No Court Appearance for Michael Jacques

Michael Jacques was to appear at a probable cause hearing this morning with his public defender, Michael Desautels.

U.S. District Judge William Sessions granted Desautels request and allowed famed husband and wife legal team, David Ruhnke and Jean deSales Barrett of Montvale, N.J. to assist with the defense. They have successfully defended many high profile clients facing a possible death penalty.

Ruhnke has never lost a case where the death penalty was on the table. He has tried 15 cases. In 2001, he persuaded a New York jury to spare the lives of al-Qaeda operatives connected to the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in east Africa.

U.S. Attorney Tom Anderson said the government would have an FBI agent testify at the hearing. He is to verify information contained in affidavits describing the case against Jacques.

Jacques, 42, waived his right to a probable cause hearing this morning.

Fox 44
Burlington Free Press