May 28: Everlee Update
Today Everlee gave testimony in front of a Wisconsin judge.
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Hi,
Today, Everlee had her second attempt at getting in front of a judge in Wisconsin – appearing over video link from the Eloy Federal Contract Facility in Arizona.
As you will recall, this was meant to happen a week ago, but the WiFi went down in the ICE facility (or so Everlee was told).
This time, she did manage to appear.
Today's hearing was to vacate her 2014 marijuana charge off her record – the thing ICE appears to be using to keep her detained. The grounds for vacating the charge is because of the shoddy representation she got from her attorney back then.
"Everlee shared her testimony and got questioned by the district attorney and killed it. She did a really good job," her sister-in-law Courtney Wihongi says.
"This was really big getting her testimony and the questioning done and on the record."
But there is still more to be done.
The judge didn't make a decision because they want Michael Peterson, Everlee's old attorney from 2014, to give testimony. As you will recall, Peterson was disbarred for lying to clients, and forging a judge's signature.
Still – the judge wants to hear from them. Everlee's current lawyer Marc Christopher did try and get in touch last week, but got no response.
Today, the judge will issue a subpoena that Everlee's current legal team needs to "exhaust all avenues" to get to her old, shitty lawyer.
Then, on June 9, it's back to court in Wisconsin. Either the old lawyer will be present, or Everlee's team will show evidence that they tried to get him as best they could.
Not sure how much faith I have in a disbarred lawyer being findable or willing, but we'll see how it goes.
Whatever the case, things will continue on June 9 – and the judge will make their decision on vacating a 14-year-old weed conviction that Everlee has already paid for.
From there – there will be an immigration court hearing on June 12. Hopefully Everlee and her team have good news to take into that hearing.
It's been 48 days since Everlee was taken by ICE at LAX airport on April 10.
David.
The Everlee Wihongi Series So Far:
April 20: When You're Daughter Is Kidnapped by ICE
April 25: The ICE Detention Centre Housing Everlee Wihongi
April 28: Everlee Will Remain Locked Up For Another Month
May 6: Did Winston Peters Lie About Everlee?
May 10: Everlee Has Disappeared
May 13: Everlee Has Been Found in Arizona
May 21: Everlee Foiled By ICE, Again
