Summary of the Decision
On June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court issued its decision in Fischer v. United States, ruling on the scope of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2), a federal obstruction of justice statute (Supreme Court, 2024). The decision carries significant implications for the investigation and prosecution of the January 6th insurrection cases.
Key points:
1. Narrow Interpretation: The Court ruled 6-3 to narrow the interpretation of § 1512(c)(2), with Chief Justice Roberts writing the majority opinion (Scotusblog, 2024; Supreme Court, 2024). The Court held that the "otherwise" clause in § 1512(c)(2) should be read in light of the more specific provision in § 1512(c)(1), which deals with impairing evidence integrity or availability (Supreme Court, 2024).
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