Motions in Limine - DAY 1
MONDAY, May 4th, 2026
SUMMARY
Prosecution and Defense met at 850 Bryant Street in Department 21 from 9 AM - 4 PM. Pre-trial motions were presented and deliberated and the jury questionnaire discussed.
HIGHLIGHTS
Motions in Limine: Pre-trial motions presented by both sides seeking the exclusion of specific evidence or arguments from being presented during a trial. A motion in limine is decided by the judge outside of the presence of the jury. The purpose of a motion in limine is to address potentially prejudicial, irrelevant, or inadmissible information that could unduly influence a jury or hinder the fair administration of justice.
Key Defense Motions in Limine:
Requesting that the prosecution not be permitted to mention that cellphones were taken and searched. Motion DENIED
ADA Roze revealed during argument that she intended to tell the jury that the use of encrypted messaging apps is circumstantial evidence that defendants intended to plan something unlawful.
Why this matters: People have a right to privacy, and merely using encrypted apps should not be allowed to be used as evidence that someone is engaging in criminal activity.
Key Prosecution Motions in Limine:
Seeking to exclude the word GENOCIDE. Motion DENIED
Seeking to prohibit defense and spectators from wearing keffiyehs in court. Motion MODIFIED
Order was modified by the judge to prohibit disruptive behavior that could prejudice the jury, and if something else becomes an issue, ADA Roze can bring this back up through the course of trial.
