Stephen Lemons @stephenlemons Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

@BaramosGonus

@ACRDaReaper

@_shrextra24

@HinderYYC

@StalkingVi96051

@c_yurumemo

@tykables

@NaserMirza2

@stwmaniax

@bokeplokalmalam

@skyla_lei

@ibubohay2

@mlknoviinn

@effzeh_Fan69

@stwmaniax

@UQ_gynae_cancer

@Aquiyles

@DonBraid

@ToddYoungIN

@MaestroDucci

@dominate_game

@mesri

@BinorRaja

@josealberto9988

@Loveliiiinn

@johnny_steel1

@shepela

@Trt6z

@kyungpows

@BinorRaja

@lamanman24

@har_shawan

@TennisonBlack

@Aftermath8

@pdrepard

@LisaMcGuey

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@bungarsargon Yeah, you don’t get to kill someone just because they’re acting crazy on a train. We have, like, laws n stuff.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

@krassenstein This is basically how the Europeans came...

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

#BackpageTrial is over. I was deathly afraid that prosecutors would ask the judge to remand the defendants into the custody of the marshals after the verdicts were read. But that didn’t happen. Following the verdicts, Judge Humetewa immediately informed the defendants that they

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

In #BackpageTrial , Lacey guilty on one count of international concealment money laundering. Joy Vaught and Andrew Padilla NG to all, I believe. Jed Brunst and Scott Spear guilty on multiple counts.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

When DOJ took down Backpage in April 2018, then U.S. AG Jeff Sessions crowed, "We have taken a major step toward keeping women and children across America safe.” This was total BS, as the government itself now admits in a new GAO report. (thread)1/

The Lies This Time

Everything you think you know about Backpage and the upcoming, Aug. 23 trial of its former owners is wrong—the government just told you so.

www.splicetoday.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

@voxdotcom He's older. If he wants to call someone a sweetheart, spare us the woke nonsense.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@SamThePol @bungarsargon Sam, you can't kill someone because he yells at you. Plus, this is NY. People get in people's faces all the time there. Literally, you can't avoid it. And you can't kill someone becaue they do. The law has a higher bar.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

So phony. I used to have coffee with this guy on a regular basis. Guess what he never talked about, and I mean never? Hunting. Of course, he never mentioned the border either. Then he decided to run for Senate. Sad.

Mark Brnovich

@GeneralBrnovich

3 years

Hunting in the morning and Fox in the afternoon. Only in America.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@jacy_200 @Esqueer_ @Stonekettle This is a very effective remedy. And the consequences are potentially far worse than the beat down. On the other hand, they don’t pull this ish in African American neighborhoods for a reason.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At #BackpageTrial in fed court in Phx, a bit of a bombshell. Defense attorney Gary Lincenberg asked the court to dismiss the case based on a late revelation of material that should have been disclosed to the defense as “Jencks material.” It’s a 91 page report created in part by

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At federal court in Phx at #BackpageTrial . Jury still out. David Morgan, journalist/publisher, and a recent recipient of the Order of the Silver Key Society from the Society of Professional Journalists, is opposing the government’s effort to seal exhibits. “Motion to Intervene in

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 month

A statement from journalist Michael Lacey, made just before the start of the #Backpage sentencing hearing, which ended today with Lacey being sentenced to 60 months in prison and a $3M fine for being the co-owner of a classified listings site: FOR OVER 50 YEARS JIM LARKIN WAS MY

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

While I'm glad the @ACLU is doing this, it continues to ignore the Backpage trial. I've spoken to lawyers at national ACLU, they refuse to even make a statement or write a blog. And yet, Backpage case is all about the First Amendment and the free speech rights of sex workers. 1/

ACLU

@ACLU

1 year

BREAKING: We just filed a Federal Trade Commission complaint, calling for an investigation into Mastercard’s policies discriminating against online sex workers.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

19 days

#FreetheBackpage3 In a black day for freedom of speech, journalist, muckraker and philanthropist Michael Lacey turned himself in to federal authorities at the Sandra Day O’Connor U.S Courthouse in Phoenix, a little before noon today, to begin serving a 5 yr sentence. 1/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

7 years

@JeffFlake Proud of you, Senator. You have 18 months to give 'em hell. In doing so, you may help save the Republic.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 years

Government officials keep taking offense when called out for violating the standards they created via @reason

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

@chelseahandler Funny to watch all the dudes in these responses taking a comedy bit soooooo seriously.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Judge comes in at Lacey/Larkin trial, #Backpage declares mistrial!!!

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

"Anti-Porn Crusader Sharon Cooper Testifies for Prosecution in Lacey/Larkin Trial, Defense Moves for Mistrial"

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

Titania McGrath’s ‘Woke’ Skewers Social Justice Warriors and Provokes Twitter Prigs for Laughs @TitaniaMcGrath

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

Today I give thanks for the sex workers and the libertarians, the 2 groups that’ve consistently supported Michael Lacey & Jim Larkin. My curses upon the prosecutors who killed Larkin, & on the cowardly orgs that pretend to defend civil liberties but do nothing. #BackpageTrial

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

What's the difference between Putin's Russia and the USA when it comes to the "justice" system? Not as much as you'd think. "Backpage Trial Ends with Precious Little Justice and a Mountain of Misery"

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

You can always count on the libertarians @Reason -- and sex workers -- to support freedom of speech. The media, the progs, and the supposed 1A defenders? Cowards, for the most part. Thank you @MattWelch and @ENBrown for speaking out when so many have been silent. #BackpageTrial

reason

@reason

11 months

The mere act of publishing sex ads online is enough to send most potential free speech allies scurrying for the exits.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 years

Brilliant essay by the always brilliant @andrewdoyle_com : "To raise a complaint is taken as proof of the kind of prejudice that the tests seek to expose. After all, only a witch would deny the existence of witchcraft."

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

#FirstAmendment champions Michael Lacey (left) and Jim Larkin outside the federal courthouse today after Judge Brnovich declared a mistrial. If you regular journos use it, better credit me, or I’ll hunt ya down like a dirty dog. :) 1/

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Judge comes in at Lacey/Larkin trial, #Backpage declares mistrial!!!

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

In #BackpageTrial , Lacey guilty on one count of international concealment money laundering. Joy Vaught and Andrew Padilla NG to all, I believe. Jed Brunst and Scott Spear guilty on multiple counts.

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Verdict is in #BackpageTrial . Going into court. Hold fast.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

This a.m. in the #BackpageTrial Michael Lacey’s attorney Paul Cambria delivered a valiant defense of his client’s good faith belief that the classified listing site he co-owned with the late Jim Larkin was operating legally. Best evidence for this: Backpage’s cooperation with

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Paul Cambria gave his closing remarks this morning at the #BackpageTrial on behalf of veteran newspaperman Michael Lacey. I will give more details in a bit. But for now one word: Masterful. There were tears in the audience.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Interesting development at #BackpageTrial , with jury still out. The government has moved to seal the ads from Backpage that they used as exhibits at trial. Some of these came off the Wayback Machine, actually. They’re doing this in response to a reporter (not me) making a public

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Sitting here with veteran newspaperman Michael Lacey in the lobby of the federal courthouse in Phx at the #BackpageTrial . The jury is still out. I will update you with any developments. Stay tuned, amigos and amigas. Pray/chant/burn incense for the defense.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 months

Veteran newspaperman Michael Lacey, co-founder of the Phoenix New Times, former exec. ed. of Village Voice Media turns 76 today. Federal prosecutors want him to die in prison because he once co-owned the classified listing site . 1/

Prosecutors Want Lacey Sentenced on Bogus Allegations

Michael Lacey's sentencing in the Backpage case is delayed till Aug. 27. Prosecutors want him sentenced for crimes he's not been charged with.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

They ignored the #BackpageTrial , thinking the gvt wouldn’t come for them… “CEOs of X, Discord, Meta, TikTok and Snap called to testify on child exploitation”

CEOs of X, Discord, Meta, TikTok and Snap called to testify in Senate child exploitation hearing

A representative for Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said that X and Discord had refused electronic service of subpoenas and that his office had engaged U.S. Marshals to serve them.

www.nbcnews.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 months

Left flowers today at the historic marker overlooking Boyce Thompson Arboretum where newspaperman and philanthropist Jim Larkin took his life on July 31 of last year, driven to suicide by a ruthless and unjust prosecution. #BackpageTrial

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Asset seizure is a corrupt practice. In the Lacey/Larkin case, the feds are using it to bleed the defense dry. "Lacey/Larkin Defense Asks Judge to Release Portion of Illegally-Seized Assets" @ENBrown 1/

Lacey/Larkin Defense Asks Judge to Release Illegally Seized Assets

Facing a new trial, the Lacey/Larkin defense asks Judge Humetewa to release a portion of assets illegally frozen by the feds.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

@Garrett_Archer @krismayes @AbrahamHamadeh When they say every vote counts, they ain't kiddin...

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At the #BackpageTrial in federal court in Phoenix. Jury began deliberating at 9am. No verdict yet, obv. There are serious outstanding issues regarding Brady violations by the prosecution: emails between the government’s star witness, Carl Ferrer, and government agents, only

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Judge Humetewa recessed at 4:45 PM today, Arizona time in the #BackpageTrial . Earlier the judge brought in the jury and read the Allen charge to them, pretty much verbatim, sending them back to deliberate some more. This, after the note that two of the jurors sent in earlier,

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

An important ruling from Judge Humetewa in advance of the Aug. 8 retrial of veteran newspapermen Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin: "Backpage Judge Allows Defense to Argue 'Legality' of Ads" 1/ #Backpage #FirstAmendment #freespeech

Backpage Judge Allows Defense to Argue 'Legality' of Ads

Federal Judge Diane Humetewa will let the defense argue the "legality" of the adult-oriented ads that appeared on Backpage.com.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

@GeneralBrnovich You blew it, dude. Now go work for Qatar or some other corrupt regime.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 month

BREAKING: Lacey sentenced to 60 months in prison in #Backpage case. More later.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

We shouldn’t foot the bill for @GeneralBrnovich ’s campaign for Senate. Which we are apparently doing, like with this Tweet on state time from his campaign account.

Mark Brnovich

@brnoforaz

2 years

Hardworking Arizonans shouldn’t foot the bill for private business deals. I applaud the AZ Supreme Court for making the right choice to ensure taxpayer dollars are used appropriately. As AZ’s next Senator, I'll rein in government and keep departments accountable to Arizonans.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

MSM would have you believe Michael Lacey and codefendants have no support among fellow journalists. Libertarians and sex workers have been resolute in their support for the Backpage defendants. Now some current and former journos join the fray. 1/

Journalists Demand End to Prosecution of Michael Lacey

Journalists demand an end to the to the second Backpage trial, involving award-winning journalist Michael Lacey and four others.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Reporting from the #BackpageTrial . Jury still out. Actually, they’re at lunch. Yet another bombshell: Incredibly, the prosecution made another late disclosure to the defense last night of emails from 2018 between the government’s star witness, Carl Ferrer, and gvt investigators.

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At federal court in Phoenix for the #BackpageTrial , where jurors will resume deliberations this a.m. after informing Judge Humetewa yesterday that they’re deadlocked on all but one count. That’s one out of 100. Humetewa gave them an Allen charge, sometimes called a “dynamite”

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

15 days

“Kamala Harris helped shut down . Sex workers are still feeling the fallout.” via @politico

Kamala Harris helped shut down Backpage.com. Sex workers are still feeling the fallout.

"She literally started it all," her former deputy said.

www.politico.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@zamaan_qureshi @PLactionnetwork Wrong. This is about censorship and surveillance. You can't blame social media for society's ills.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

@CarpeDonktum Well, then you're gonna love 2020...

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

7 years

Sheriff Penzone announced that he's shutting down Tent City

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Judge Humetewa just called the parties into court to discuss a question from the jurors in the #BackpageTrial . It read: Can “good faith” be applied to all counts or just some counts? The judge said the correct answer is that it can apply to all counts. Neither the government nor

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Reporting from the #BackpageTrial . Jury still out. Actually, they’re at lunch. Yet another bombshell: Incredibly, the prosecution made another late disclosure to the defense last night of emails from 2018 between the government’s star witness, Carl Ferrer, and gvt investigators.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

6 months

Heads up: The sentencing of award-winning newspaperman Michael Lacey has been continued from May 1 till June 17 at 10:30am at Phoenix's federal courthouse. The state wants him to die in prison. Why? Because he defended Backpage's right to publish. @ENBrown

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

6 months

This dropped today on Audible, a 9-part podcast on the award-winning journalist that the feds want to die in prison: Michael Lacey. "Hold Fast: The Unadulterated Story of the World’s Most Scandalous Website"

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 years

What a tool. "McConnell puts blame for 2020 coronavirus failure on Barack Obama, in office 2009-2017"

McConnell puts blame for 2020 coronavirus failure on Barack Obama, in office 2009-2017

The Senate majority leader criticized the former president on a Trump campaign live stream despite the presence of a “Playbook for Early Response to High-Consequence Emerging Infectious Disease...

www.yahoo.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 years

@willsommer Reminds me of the McMartin case, the West Memphis 3, etc. Back when talk shows were seriously talking about Satanic cults running amok. Here it is, all over again.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At #BackpageTrial , jurors came back with a scary question. If a defendant is found not guilty on count 1, the conspiracy count, can he or she be “charged” on the 50 Travel Act counts. The lawyers were called in by the judge to discuss how to answer. The judge said she would

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At federal court in Phx for the #BackpageTrial . Jury resumed deliberations this morning. Judge Humetewa’s scheduled an evidentiary hearing for 230pm on the 91 page document the government produced last week, possible Jencks act and Brady violations. Prosecutorial misconduct atop

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 month

In a dark day for the First Amendment, Michael Lacey, the former executive editor of Village Voice Media, will be sentenced today in Phoenix’s federal court in connection with his previous co-ownership of the classified listings site, #Backpage . 1/

Prosecutors Want 20 Year Sentence for Journalist Michael Lacey

In a sentencing memo filed Monday, the government slandered journalist Michael Lacey, asking the judge to sentence him to 20 years in prison.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Lacey and Larkin's trial begins Aug. 23, which is itself a grave injustice. The government should be on trial, not two veteran newspapermen who over the course of 50 years, afflicted the comfortable and comforted the afflicted, as journalists are supposed to.12/end

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

7 months

@katieporteroc Sour grapes don't wear well.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

As @WIRED first revealed and @reason 's @ENBrown first published, DOJ lawyers authored 2 memos, in 2012 and 2013, which argued against prosecuting Backpage execs, largely because Backpage was cooperating with LE in finding rescued women and children and prosecuting abusers.5/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

#BackpageTrial : jury came back with a note from 2 jurors saying they’ve only agreed on one of the 100 charges, describing an emotional situation in the jury room, and that the two signers believe that they are a “hung jury.” Described jurors offering “what if” opinions.

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At #BackpageTrial , jurors came back with a scary question. If a defendant is found not guilty on count 1, the conspiracy count, can he or she be “charged” on the 50 Travel Act counts. The lawyers were called in by the judge to discuss how to answer. The judge said she would

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Attempt to rewrite history of #BackpageTrial . No mention of Vaught or Padilla, who prevailed. Lacey, a "conspirator"? He was not convicted of conspiracy. Larkin, a "co-conspirator." No, he died an innocent man.

Backpage Principals Convicted of $500M Prostitution Promotion Scheme

A federal jury in Phoenix convicted three former owners of Backpage.com yesterday of multiple counts of promoting prostitution business enterprises and multiple counts of money laundering, including...

www.justice.gov

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

#BackpageTrial As long as I live, I’ll never forgive the pukes for what they did to Larkin.

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

What's the difference between Putin's Russia and the USA when it comes to the "justice" system? Not as much as you'd think. "Backpage Trial Ends with Precious Little Justice and a Mountain of Misery"

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

But when it came down to saving the lives of women and children vs. eradicating BP -- which the DOJ in its 2012/2013 memos characterized as a "goldmine" of info on actual, real-life sex traffickers, the government chose the latter -- making life deadlier for women and kids.11/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

@GeneralBrnovich Brno was top votegetter at AZ 2016 convention to go to the national. Didn’t go cause he didn’t want to be connected 2Trump. Never campaigned w/Trump. Helped certify election. Said Biden won fair and square. Decides 2 run 4 Senate. Goes hard right. Do. Not. Believe.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

"[Maricopa County] uses some 2.2 billion gallons of water a day — more than twice as much as New York City, despite having half as many people."

Arizona Limits Construction Around Phoenix as Its Water Supply Dwindles (Gift Article)

In what could be a glimpse of the future as climate change batters the West, officials ruled there’s not enough groundwater for projects already approved.

www.nytimes.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At federal court in Phoenix for the #BackpageTrial , where jurors will resume deliberations this a.m. after informing Judge Humetewa yesterday that they’re deadlocked on all but one count. That’s one out of 100. Humetewa gave them an Allen charge, sometimes called a “dynamite”

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Judge Humetewa recessed at 4:45 PM today, Arizona time in the #BackpageTrial . Earlier the judge brought in the jury and read the Allen charge to them, pretty much verbatim, sending them back to deliberate some more. This, after the note that two of the jurors sent in earlier,

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@SamThePol @bungarsargon Soft on crime would be ignoring someone killing a homeless man in public. I haven't seen any evidence the guy was threatening anyone in this instance with physical violence.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

There's a killer motion to dismiss in the Backpage case, and this piece lays it out. Basically, the law's not on the government's side, but when has that ever stopped a prosecutor?

New "Evidence" Reveals Weakness of Government's Case vs. Backpage

Federal prosecutors recently published old Backpage emails, claiming they indicate the guilt of defendants in the Backpage case. They do not.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

@SenBlumenthal "Senate's New EARN IT Bill Will Make Child Exploitation Problem Worse, Not Better, And Still Attacks Encryption"

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

A lot of folks warned the government this would happen in the runup to FOSTA/SESTA and the BP takedown. But here's the catch: The feds already knew this would be the result.4/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 months

Some news regarding renowned journalist Michael Lacey. Pursuant to a Rule 29 motion to acquit from the defense, Judge Humetewa issued the following order: "JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL as to Michael Lacey: IT IS ORDERED that the Defendant is now entitled to be discharged for the reason

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

In the “post-Backpage market,” platforms w/adult ads don’t employ the “technical staff capable of screening ads” as Backpage did. Nor are overseas platforms likely to “respond to legal process,” making the task of “obtaining evidence” a “cumbersome and time consuming” task.3/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

"Elizabeth Warren Net Worth: $8.75 Million"

Elizabeth Warren's Net Worth: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

How wealthy is Elizabeth Warren? Learn more about the Senator's net worth for 2019.

heavy.com

Michael Moore

@MMFlint

5 years

One thing you know about Elizabeth Warren is that she has no interest in enriching herself. She is out to make the wealthy pay for the wreckage they’ve caused. And she refuses to be pitted against Bernie. Tonight she praised him.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

@CollinRugg Only if they defund Congress, salaries and benefits first…

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

The jury for the #BackpageTrial left the courthouse a little after 430pm Phx time without rendering a verdict. Deliberations resume tomorrow at 9am. I will be at the court to report. Till then, pray for the defense.

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

“Prosecution’s Rebuttal in Backpage Trial Presumes the Guilt of Millions”

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

What is especially disturbing about this case is that the DOJ was aware that Backpage was acting in good faith, was cooperating with LE, sending 400 reports of suspect ads to NCMEC per month, moderating the site for illicit content, etc., etc.10/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Well, this is going to happen a lot more often. Which is why I do not understand why the #BackpageTrial continues to go under-reported. If "the Backpage 5" are convicted, the entire internet should shudder. And all these so-called free speech orgs who beg for our money should

Samantha Cole

@samleecole

11 months

In the midst of multiple massive lawsuits, Omegle's owner shut the site down today, and left a long message about free speech and the nature of the internet in its place:

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

10 months

What's the difference between Putin's Russia and the USA when it comes to the "justice" system? Not as much as you'd think. "Backpage Trial Ends with Precious Little Justice and a Mountain of Misery"

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Brilliant piece by @MattWelch . He reads gross books so you don't have to! "Robin DiAngelo is very disappointed in some of the people who have made her rich" via @reason

Robin DiAngelo Is Very Disappointed in the White People Making Her Rich

We are, especially here in Brooklyn, living in Robin DiAngelo's world. And yet she seems so unhappy about it. The five-minute walk to my neighborhood

reason.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

@GeneralBrnovich Your career is over. Enjoy your last little bit of infamy you pathetic little man.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Verdict is in #BackpageTrial . Going into court. Hold fast.

The Celluloid Bordello

@WHORESonFILM

11 months

@stephenlemons The shadiest prosecution in history.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

A must read for anyone interested in the Gilgo Beach murders or is covering the story for the media. Reporters should listen to sex workers. They are to a person, smarter than any reporter I know, me included. They have heart and courage and a voice.

Desiree Alliance

@DesireeAlliance

1 year

Press Release: Sex workers response to Gilgo Beach murders

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 months

In the United States, you're innocent until proven guilty -- unless you're editor, writer and hellraising journalist Michael Lacey. "Backpage Prosecutors Want Lacey Sentenced on Bogus Allegations"

Prosecutors Want Lacey Sentenced on Bogus Allegations

Michael Lacey's sentencing in the Backpage case is delayed till Aug. 27. Prosecutors want him sentenced for crimes he's not been charged with.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Backpage was “generally responsive to legal requests for information,” the GAO says. But with Backpage gone, and FOSTA/SESTA in place the adult ad market has “fragmented,” with host platforms migrating overseas “to shield themselves from prosecution.”2/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

The #BackpageTrial recessed at 4:30pm on Thursday in Phoenix's federal court with prosecutor Kevin Rapp giving his summation of the government's case against veteran newspaperman and onetime BP co-owner Michael Lacey and his four co-defendants: two ex-employees of the company

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Short report at #BackpageTrial : Lunch break over. judge will now read jury instructions. Government will give its summation. Then Judge will recess for the day. Defense will begin summation Friday morning. Friday is a half-day it goes from 9 o’clock to 1230. I will have more on

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

Yo, AZ journos, rather than parroting the LE line on the Super Bowl/sex trafficking hoax, talk to these folks tonight. 1/

Sex Workers Protest Super Bowl/Sex Trafficking Myth

A coalition of sex worker-rights organizations will demonstrate from 5-8 p.m. today, Monday, Feb. 6, outside the Footprint Center in Downtown Phoenix as part of a “public and media education action”...

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

In a cruel twist, Backpage's cooperation with LE is being used against its former owners, Michael Lacey and Jim Larkin, as evidence that they supposedly *knew* the ads were illegal. What an unmitigated crock. 7/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 month

My report from the bloody front.. “First Amendment Nightmare: Journalist Michael Lacey Sentenced to 5 Years, Fined $3M in Connection with Co-Ownership of Backpage”

First Amendment Nightmare: Lacey Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison

Journalist and First Amendment advocate Michael Lacey was sentenced to 5 years in prison for his onetime co-ownership of Backpage.com.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Jury in the #BackpageTrial is out for the day. No verdict. Before they filed out of the jury room, jurors were preceded by several paramedics from the Phoenix Fire Department. No one came out in a stretcher, so apparently no one died. I contacted Phoenix Fire, and a spokesman

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Judge Humetewa just called the parties into court to discuss a question from the jurors in the #BackpageTrial . It read: Can “good faith” be applied to all counts or just some counts? The judge said the correct answer is that it can apply to all counts. Neither the government nor

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Excellent piece on the conclusion of the #Backpagetrial by @CourthouseNews ' @JournalistJoeAZ "Michael Lacey dodges prostitution conviction"

Backpage creator Michael Lacey dodges prostitution conviction

Other executives and employees of the classified ads website Backpage.com weren't so lucky.

www.courthousenews.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

@ReneeStephen @voxdotcom If standards mean judging people based on harmless expressions, you can keep 'em.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 months

"Judge Acquits Journalist Michael Lacey on 53 of 84 Counts in Backpage Case"

Lacey Acquitted on 50 of 84 Counts in Backpage Case

On Tuesday, a federal judge acquitted journalist Michael Lacey on 50 of the 84 counts on which his 2024 jury returned no verdict.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 months

AG Kris Mayes went hard after Arizona's fake electors. Why didn't former AG Mark Brnovich? via @azcentral

AG Kris Mayes went hard after Arizona's fake electors. Why didn't former AG Mark Brnovich?

Mayes pursued indictments of GOP fake electors while her predecessor Brnovich focused on baseless allegations of election fraud.

www.azcentral.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

The last defense witness in the #BackpageTrial testified this afternoon: Dr. Kim Mehlman Orozco, author and expert on sex trafficking and human sexuality. Orozco testified that you can’t tell by looking at an escort ad on BP whether or not it was an ad for prostitution. It

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At federal court in Phx this a.m. for #BackpageTrial . Legendary journalist John Dougherty will take the stand on behalf of veteran newspaperman Michael Lacey. Here’s a wrap up from yesterday. More at breaks in the proceedings.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

Michael Lacey's Statement on the Death of Jim Larkin

The following is a statement from Michael Lacey on the recent death of renowned businessman and journalist, James "Jim" Larkin.

frontpageconfidential.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

Sitting here with veteran newspaperman Michael Lacey in the lobby of the federal courthouse in Phx at the #BackpageTrial . The jury is still out. I will update you with any developments. Stay tuned, amigos and amigas. Pray/chant/burn incense for the defense.

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

The jury for the #BackpageTrial left the courthouse a little after 430pm Phx time without rendering a verdict. Deliberations resume tomorrow at 9am. I will be at the court to report. Till then, pray for the defense.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@SamThePol @bungarsargon Epic fail. Not enough to kill someone. If someone screams "I'm ready to die" you can kill them? That's nuts.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At federal court in Phx for the #BackpageTrial . Regarding the issue of the prosecution’s misstatement of the law during its rebuttal (covered in the post below), the judge declined to correct the prosecution in front of the jury, saying her previous admonition to jurors that

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 month

Sentencing hearing for journalist Michael Lacey and 2 others in #Backpage case continues today at 9:30am in Phoenix's federal court before Judge Humetewa. Prosecution is expected to spend an hour arguing why Lacey and his co-defendants should each receive 20 years in prison. 1/

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 month

Court has recessed till tomorrow. No verdict yet for Michael Lacey and codefendants. Counsel for the defendants all made statements to the court asking for probation. Prosecution will get its say tomorrow beginning at 930am, then sentencing. 1/

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

@azcentral Can someone please tell @GeneralBrnovich that: 1) he lost the primary; and 2) his career as a politician is OVAH. Thanks!

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

I'm forever humbled and grateful for the libertarians of @reason , like senior editor @ENBrown , who are unwavering in their opposition to the excesses of state authority and see plainly the danger of the Backpage case and its threat to freedom of speech. 1/

Retrial of Backpage execs wouldn't be double jeopardy, court says

After a court ruled no double jeopardy, former Backpage executives could now face trial again after the first attempt resulted in a mistrial.

reason.com

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 years

Downtown PHX now. A new generation steps up. #BlackLivesMattter

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At the #BackpageTrial and the jury let themselves go a little before 4pm for the long weekend. No verdict. Federal holiday tomorrow. Jurors not back till Tuesday. As Lacey’s knuckles read, “HOLD FAST.”

Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

11 months

At #BackpageTrial in fed court in Phx, a bit of a bombshell. Defense attorney Gary Lincenberg asked the court to dismiss the case based on a late revelation of material that should have been disclosed to the defense as “Jencks material.” It’s a 91 page report created in part by

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

16 days

Thanks to all sex workers for the fight they wage every day for freedom of expression and freedom of bodily autonomy. We are all in your debt.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

At the #BackpageTrial on Thursday, former Backpage sales director Dan Hyer was on the stand all morning, mostly under the direct examination of AUSA Andy Stone. Hyer pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy in August 2018, a few months after the feds seized and destroyed the

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

1 year

@stephen_richer Bravo to the man with whom I share a name and the correct spelling. ;)

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

5 years

In Rejecting DNC Lawsuit Against WikiLeaks, Judge Strongly Defended First Amendment Rights Of Journalists -

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

2 years

Amazing that this corruption-riddled, desiccated sphincter of a man is so close to statewide election. Again. Arizona, just when I think I've underestimated you, you go lower.

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

4 years

@Sia Self-delusion is an awesome thing. "...who conned me into an adulterous relationship claiming to be single..."

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Stephen Lemons

@stephenlemons

3 years

Prosecutor showed jury pornographic photos that NEVER appeared on Backpage, one of many dirty tricks, like accusing Lacey/Larkin of heinous crimes they are not charged with & have ZERO to do with. To mistrial or not to mistrial? Judge (below) must decide.

Lacey/Larkin Defense Demands Mistrial after Feds' Inflammatory Opening

Prosecutor exposed Lacey/Larkin jury to X-rated pics and accused defendants of crimes they did not commit, causing call for mistrial.

frontpageconfidential.com

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