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Why most defense attorneys advise against a lengthy armed holdout

February 20, 2009

Once they sensed that their tax protest arguments weren't working in their tax evasion trial, Ed and Elaine Brown retreated to their fortified New Hampshire country home to hold out against the feds. The holdout lasted over nine months, until Federal Marshals posing as Brown supporters arrested the couple.

Now the couple is back in federal court facing 11 new federal charges, including weapons violations and obstruction of justice:

A couple convicted of tax evasion said Thursday that the federal government has no right to bring 11 new charges against them, including gun violations and obstruction of justice.
Ed and Elaine Brown and at least four co-conspirators stockpiled explosives and firearms at the couple's home for possible use against law enforcement, according to the indictment.

The Browns, in their 60s, are serving five-year sentences. Convictions on the new charges would keep them in the Greybar old folks resort for some time beyond that.

Tags: ed brown.elaine brown.tax crime.