The man who prosecutors say attempted to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington on April 25 is petitioning to be taken off suicide watch, according to a new filing by his lawyers on May 2.
Cole Allen’s status on suicide watch and suicide precaution “amounts to punishment” and “violations of his rights,” his lawyers said.
“Mr. Allen is forced to be escorted to the shower, strip searched when entering and exiting his cell, and wear a padded vest while inside,” filings read. “These conditions are excessive restrictions on his liberty that serve no justifiable purpose and deprive Mr. Allen of dignity while incarcerated.”
Allen has been charged with attempted assassination of the president, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegally transporting guns and ammunition across state lines. Video surveillance footage shows a man storming through a hotel security checkpoint with a shotgun. Allen allegedly shot one federal agent outside the press event.
He was subdued by the Secret Service before reaching the ballroom, where many Trump administration officials and hundreds of guests were present for the gala on April 25, including staff members from The Epoch Times.
Authorities booked Allen on April 27 into a Washington jail, court filings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia state.
“A member of the [Department of Corrections] intake team who assessed Mr. Allen did not note any suicide risk factors,” the filing by Allen’s lawyers states. “Despite this, ‘suicide precautions’ were recommended, and Mr. Allen was assigned to a ‘safe cell.’”
A “safe cell” is described as a padded room with 24/7 lockdown procedures and constant lighting. Inmates in a safe cell are required to wear a vest similar to a straitjacket.
The day after Allen was booked into jail, a nurse recommended that he be placed on suicide watch.
Allen’s lawyers said this meant that he could not make phone calls, have a jail tablet or personal items, receive visits from anyone except his legal team, or spend time outside of his cell—aside from showers or visits with his lawyers.
Allen’s status was later downgraded to “suicide precautions,” but his lawyers wrote in court filings that the restrictions remained the same.
On May 1, a nurse recommended that Allen be taken off suicide watch or precaution.
Allen challenged his detention in a court filing earlier this week, arguing that he is not a flight risk while citing his educational background and work as a tutor. He later dropped his request to be released while his case is litigated.
He has not yet entered a plea.
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