Jan 6th attack on the capital: convictions handed down
Dec 2, 2022 17:19:16 GMT -5
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Post by tnthomas on Dec 2, 2022 17:19:16 GMT -5
Oath Keepers leader and associates convicted of multiple charges in seditious conspiracy case
Washington, DC
A Washington, DC, jury on Tuesday convicted Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes and associate Kelly Meggs of seditious conspiracy for their role around the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
While the jury split on a number of other charges brought against the five alleged members of the right-wing militia group, even two guilty verdicts on the seditious conspiracy charge marked a significant win for the Justice Department and was hailed as vindication by the House select committee investigating the insurrection. The historic criminal trial – the first of three seditious conspiracy cases set to start this year – was a major test of the department’s ability to hold January 6 rioters accountable.
The charge has rarely been brought in the century and a half that the statute and its forerunners have been on the books. By using it against members of the Oath Keepers the department is expressing that it sees the breach of the Capitol as a grave threat to the operation of the US government.
Stewart Rhodes takes the witness stand and is questioned by his defense attorney.
Stewart Rhodes and fellow member of Oath Keepers found guilty of sedition
Prosecutors had argued that the attack on the US Capitol was more than just a political protest that got out of control, but rather a violent attack on the seat of American democracy and an effort to keep Joe Biden out of the Oval Office by any means necessary.
“The FBI will always uphold the rights of all citizens who peacefully engage in First Amendment protected activities, but we and our partners will continue to hold accountable those who engaged in illegal acts regarding the January 6, 2021, siege on the US Capitol,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement Tuesday.
The Justice Department alleged that the Oath Keepers members – Rhodes, Meggs, Jessica Watkins, Kenneth Harrelson and Thomas Caldwell – conspired to forcibly stop the peaceful transfer of presidential power from then-President Donald Trump to Biden and plotted to attack the US Capitol.
Jurors considered 10 charges against the five defendants, including three conspiracy charges, obstructing the certification of the electoral college vote and tampering with documents. The defendants were convicted on multiple charges, and all five were found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding. The charge, like the seditious conspiracy charge, carries a 20-year maximum prison sentence.
It remains to be seen how much time each defendant will serve, as Judge Amit Mehta could issue a sentence that exceeds 20 years or decide to sentence them to far less than the allowed maximum.
Mehta said in court that four of the defendants, including Rhodes, will remain behind bars. Only one defendant – Caldwell – had been on pretrial release.
Sentencing hearings typically occur 90 days after a verdict is reached.
Lawyers for the defendants said they were disappointed in the verdict but believed their clients had received a fair trial. cnn.com