‘Not guilty’ plea in Kavanaugh plot
A California man accused of plotting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh pleaded not guilty in federal court Wednesday.
Nicholas Roske, who authorities say flew across the country with plans to break into the justice’s Maryland home, entered the plea as part of his arraignment before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ajmel Quereshi in Greenbelt, Md.
The 26-year-old said little during the 11-minute session. Roske’s attorneys, Andrew Szekely and Meghan Michael, agreed that their client remain held pending further court actions.
Roske has been held since June 8, when he was arrested outside the conservative justice’s home early that morning. With him, according to accusations filed in federal court, were a suitcase and backpack that contained lockpicking and burglary tools, a Glock pistol, 37 rounds of ammunition, an aiming laser and a pair of boots with padded outer soles that could allow stealthy movement.
After flying into the Washington area, authorities say, he took a cab to Kavanaugh’s home and reached his narrow, leafy street in Chevy Chase at about 1:05 a.m.
But as soon as Roske arrived, those same filings show, he seemed to make moves toward changing his plans, according to authorities. First he saw two
deputy U.S. marshals standing outside Kavanaugh’s home, which prompted Roske to turn and walk down the street, round a corner, and end up about 1 1/2 blocks away, according to officials.
He texted his sister and told her of his intentions, according to Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones. “She convinced him to call 911, which he did,” Jones said.
In charging Roske with attempted murder of a U.S. justice, federal authorities are asserting that he went far enough along with his plan even if he ultimately didn’t go through with it.