Jury in Portland Finds Antifa Members Not Liable in Attack of Andy Ngo

PORTLAND, OR – In a rather curious development in the lawsuit filed by journalist Andy Ngo against Rose City Antifa, and their purported members, a jury in Portland found the alleged group of violent militants not liable in the attack perpetrated against Ngo years earlier. While the verdict in question isn’t terribly surprising considering the venue being Portland (an Antifa hotbed), unchecked remarks and ostensible jury intimidation launched by the defense counsel makes the case rather alarming.

Back in June of 2020, Ngo initially filed suit against Rose City Antifa and a number of individuals alleged to be affiliated with the militant group in relation to a severe beating Ngo endured back in mid-2019. Through the course of the lawsuit’s various motions and proceedings, a settlement was secured with one defendant and defaults were obtained for three other defendants who failed to show up for court.

Two defendants, John Colin Hacker and Elizabeth Renee Richter, opted to stand trial in the civil matter, in which the two were accused of working as Antifa’s doxers.

The suit alleged Hacker and Richter’s exploits led to several more assaults on Ngo on May 28th, 2021.

BREAKING: Today begins the trial of @MrAndyNgo vs. Rose City Antifa, et al.

Ngo is seeking nearly $1 million in damages from alleged Antifa violence, which began in 2019 in Portland, Oregon.

The trial is expected to last at minimum 5 days. Reporting by @KatieDaviscourt 🧵 pic.twitter.com/OyKq6qdLfZ

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 31, 2023

By July 31st, 2023, the trial began, with Ngo seeking nearly $1 million in damages due to the defendants’ alleged acts of enabling/contributing to assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. However, the jury found Hacker and Richter not liable for any damages, seemingly buying the narrative pieced together by defense attorney Michelle Burrows that Antifa are not a violent group.

But statements made by Burrows during the trial appear to have been an effort to intimidate members of the jury, a tactic that clearly worked if that was her intention. During closing arguments, Burrows told the jury that she personally identified with Antifa, boasting about how she intended to make a shirt after the trial that would read, “I am Antifa.”

During the trial, Judge Sinaplasai informed the court that the trial’s jurors have raised concerns about being “doxed,” emphasizing efforts made by unknown people to unmask the identities of the jury members. With that in mind, Burrows – who again, was the attorney representing the alleged Antifa members – told the jury that she planned to retire after this trial and boldly told the jurors she “will remember each one of their faces.”

Following the outcome in court, attorney Harmeet Dhillon issued a statement acknowledging the secured default judgements/settlement as well as the trial loss.

“Andy is an incredibly brave client who persevered for four years when many would have given up, changed their profession, or let the violent thugs win without challenge. We are evaluating the next steps in this case, but hear this: I will not stand by idly while violent criminals seek to silence American journalists, and this is but one stop in a long journey.”

When we started @Liberty_Ctr to stand up for the first amendment and other civil rights of clients who would otherwise have gone unrepresented, @MrAndyNgo's case was the first one we took. Antifa thugs had repeatedly used violence in Portland to intimidate and silence journalists… https://t.co/mVKxphDsCf

— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) August 9, 2023