A Quebec woman accused of mailing poison to then-president Donald Trump will not have more than US$2,000 seized by American authorities returned to her.
Dabney L. Friedrich, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., today denied a motion from Pascale Ferrier for the return of the money, which was seized when she was arrested at the United States border in September 2020.
Read more: Quebec woman accused of sending ricin letter to Trump too dangerous for release, prosecutors argue
Lawyers representing Ferrier, who is detained in a Washington prison, argued during a virtual court appearance that she needs the money to buy such items as shampoo, undergarments and additional food, as well as to call her family in Canada.
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But the judge sided with a federal prosecutor, who argued the money is evidence that could be presented in court.
Prosecutor Michael Friedman also said a sealed filing relating to actions Ferrier is alleged to have taken after her arrest suggests returning the money could pose a public safety risk.
Friedman has asked the court to order Ferrier to undergo a 30-day mental health evaluation, a motion that has been opposed by the defence.
Friedrich did not rule on that request today, asking the prosecution to provide more information about how long the evaluation would take.
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