No images? Click here Call it the "blame Tucker Carlson" defense. Attorneys for Zachary and Kelsey Wilson, of Missouri, told a federal judge this week they "ate up" the endlessly looping coverage of violence at Black Lives Matter protests over the summer of 2020. It was what drove them to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. In retrospect, they said — facing sentencing and up to 6 months in prison — maybe they didn't get the full story.
Latest Updates
January 6th Committee subpoenas 14 people from seven states who agreed to be "alternate electors" for Donald Trump. The list includes Georgia Republican Party chairman David Shafer who, among other things, submitted 16 fraudulent Electoral College votes in December 2020 after former President Donald Trump lost the state. January 6th Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) said the committee believes the individuals "have information about how these so-called alternate electors met and who was behind that scheme." See the full list of new subpoenas here. Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes will remain behind bars while he awaits trial. On Wednesday, a federal magistrate judge in Texas ruled Rhodes posed a risk of "significant harm to others" if released. His attorney tried to get him released, saying he has a "very public platform" he'd like to put forth. Rhodes is one of 11 Oath Keepers now charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the Capitol riot. In addition to other evidence of planning for violence on Jan. 6, the DOJ said in an indictment Rhodes spent more than $40,000 on firearms and equipment in the weeks surrounding the assault on the Capitol — including $4,500 spent on firearms equipment en route to D.C. from Texas. That's comforting news for his estranged wife, who told our sister station she feared for her safety if he was released. Tasha Adams filed for divorce from Rhodes in 2018 and now lives in rural Montana. She described Rhodes as a "narcissist, sociopath" and said she was worried if released he would come for her and their children. "Now, he has nothing to lose, you know." You can see more of the interview with Tasha Adams here. "Story of redemption" gets New York CPA probation — even after judge says he agrees judges are being too lenient. U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, who presided over the very first Jan. 6 case to go to sentencing (Anna Morgan-Lloyd), said he was conflicted about the appropriate punishment for Justin McAuliffe. McAuliffe was photographed in Sen. Jeff Merkley's (D-OR) office on Jan. 6. McAuliffe's attorney said he'd suffered numerous consequences since his arrest — some, perhaps, less significant, like getting banned from Airbnb and Lyft — and that he'd used the last year to turn his life around. Lamberth was convinced jail time wasn't appropriate for McAullife, and sentenced him to 3 years of probation instead. An ex-Army private who became "consumed" by QAnon will serve more than 3 years in prison. Nicholas Languerand pleaded guilty in November to assaulting police with sticks, pepper spray canisters and a heavy amplifier on Jan. 6. His attorney told a federal judge he'd suffered an abusive childhood — in many ways mirroring another January 6 defendant: "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Chansley. Languerand said he'd even watched some of Chansley's videos. The Virginia man who wore a "Camp Auschwitz" sweater to the Capitol riot pleads guilty. Robert Keith Packer entered his plea Wednesday to one count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. Prosecutors said he entered the Capitol on Jan. 6 "despite seeing broken doors and rioters fighting police." What didn't come up this week — but certainly will at trial — is all the Nazi memorabilia and the "White's Only Materials" investigators found at his house.
Having now cooperated his way out of a felony obstruction charge, Brandon Straka would like his followers to know he's not a "snitch." In a post on Telegram, Straka said the Justice Department and media were conspiring to smear him as a turncoat against the MAGA movement. But in court, under penalty of perjury, he told a much different story. His lawyer stressed his full cooperation with the government, the multiple proffers he provided and the "relevant media and leads" he gave to law enforcement. All of that helped him negotiate his charges down from a felony impeding law enforcement during civil disorder charge to one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct. Now it seems, as Straka's attorney accused the DOJ of doing this week, that he wants to have it both ways. More Capitol Riot Coverage'They have everything' | Alex Jones says January 6th Committee asked about rally, White House contactsThe conspiracy theorist and InfoWars host said the committee asked him about his contact at the White House and involvement in any planning of Jan. 6. Georgia lawyer who bragged Capitol riot was 'hand to hand hostile takeover' rejects plea offerWilliam McCall Calhoun Jr. faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding. Virginia attorney general fires UVA counsel working with January 6th CommitteeUVA counsel Tim Heaphy was on leave working as the top investigator for the U.S. House panel examining the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. |