• Judge Fitzpatrick orders DOJ to produce evidence for Comey case by Thursday.
• He raises concerns over the DOJ's "indict first, investigate second" approach.
• Comey's defense claims they have not reviewed crucial materials gathered years ago.
• The indictment follows pressure from President Trump to prosecute Comey.
• Richman’s communications are central to the case, with issues of potential privilege raised.

A federal magistrate judge sharply criticized the Justice Department’s handling of evidence in the criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey, asserting that prosecutors appeared to "indict first, investigate second." Judge William Fitzpatrick ordered the DOJ to produce by Thursday all grand jury materials and other evidence related to the case, emphasizing that Comey’s legal team needed access to review materials that had been collected years ago from devices belonging to Daniel Richman, a Columbia University law professor and associate of Comey. These materials are significant as they are central to the allegations against Comey of making false statements and obstruction, according to ABC News, Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.

Judge Fitzpatrick expressed concern during a hearing that the DOJ’s actions reflected a "highly unusual" procedural posture, which left Comey’s defense team at a disadvantage without access to critical evidence. He stated that previous communications seized from Richman could include privileged information that had not been reviewed for its potential relevance to the indictment. As Comey faces charges stemming from his testimony to Congress regarding media leaks during his tenure, his attorneys argue the prosecution is a politically motivated vendetta, particularly given the timing linked to actions taken by President Trump, according to India Times and NPR.

The indictment against Comey, which includes one count of false statements and one count of obstruction of justice, was filed after President Trump urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue actions against Comey and other political adversaries. The situation is complicated by the background of the case, with Comey's lawyers arguing that statements made during a Senate hearing were misinterpreted and that he did not authorize leaks to the media. Questions remain surrounding the integrity of the evidence gathered through search warrants and how it has been processed by the DOJ, according to ABC News, Los Angeles Times, CBS News, India Times, and NPR.