As the nation paused to celebrate and elevate the cornerstones of democracy in America, the attorneys in the Michael McLaughlin case did revolutionary battle over a unique turn in the case that could set new precedent in the federal court system.

At issue is the still-remarkable turn of events from McLaughlin’s sentencing hearing in June, where Federal Judge Doug Woodlock put everything on hold and turned the keys to the case over to attorneys for the Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) and the Chelsea Citywide Tenants Association (CCTA).