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A California man has been sentenced to 12 years in jail for throwing a stun gun right into a police officer’s neck. 2021 attack At the USA Capitol, it is without doubt one of the longest sentences ever handed down.
Nonetheless, Daniel “DJ” Rodriguez, 40, was defiant, crying that “Trump received” as he was led by legislation enforcement from the federal district courtroom in Washington, DC.
Solely two different defendants have been discovered within the Capitol assault Further imprisonment.
In saying the sentence, Decide Amy Berman Jackson described Rodriguez as a “one-man military of hate, attacking police and destroying property” in the course of the occasions of January 6, 2021.
It was a day that had supporters Then-President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol in an try to dam the certification of Electoral School votes from the 2020 election. Trump falsely claimed the election was rigged to elucidate his defeat in that race.
Nonetheless, Decide Jackson rejected protection arguments that Rodriguez was merely misled by Trump’s “irresponsible and knowingly false claims.”
“You got here in.” [Washington] DC is spoiling for a battle,” Jackson instructed Rodriguez. “You’ll be able to’t blame what you’ve got achieved as soon as you’ve got gotten there however your self.”
Rodriguez provided his assertion in courtroom Wednesday, explaining his actions, saying, “I did what I believed was proper on the time.”
He additionally admitted that it was delivered at “a matter of nice ache”. Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Funonwhose physique digital camera captured the stun gun assault.
“I hope that Michael Fanon will get higher someday,” Rodriguez stated.
Fanon, nevertheless, walked out of the courtroom in the course of Rodriguez’s 25-minute lengthy speech.
The previous police officer later instructed The Related Press, “There was nothing I may have stated in the present day that might have made a distinction.”
He has beforehand credited the occasions of January 6 ending his law enforcement career.
Fanon suffered a coronary heart assault, burns and traumatic mind accidents when he was ambushed by rioters who beat him and dragged him down the steps of the Capitol. He then testified about his experiences earlier than the top House Committee Capitol assault investigation.
Rodriguez was already there Pleaded guilty In February, he was charged with 4 felonies, together with assault on a legislation enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy and obstruction of official motion.
Prosecutors alleged that Rodriguez helped lead the Telegram chat group “PATRIOTS45MAGA Gang,” the place Trump supporters gathered to arrange earlier than the assault.
Based on the indictment in opposition to him, Rodriguez instructed a person he would “kill Joe Biden” and “would fairly die underneath a Biden administration.” He additionally wrote on the group chat, “There will probably be blood. Welcome to the revolution”.
Shortly thereafter, he and different members of the chat group traveled throughout the nation from California to attend Trump’s “Cease the Metal” rally in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021.
Following the rally, hundreds of rioters, together with Rodriguez, gathered on the Capitol, the place a joint session of Congress was held to verify the election outcomes.
Prosecutors say Rodriguez joined a “hoo-hoo” effort to push again a line of cops guarding a set of double doorways on the Capitol. In addition they claimed that he was seen throwing a flagpole and spraying fireplace extinguishers at legislation enforcement companies.
At one level, one other rioter allegedly equipped him with an “electroshock weapon” that he used in opposition to the officers. When the gang pushed Fanon ahead, Rodriguez is accused of hitting him twice within the neck with an lively stun gun. Fanon ultimately misplaced consciousness.
The Justice Division has charged More than 1,000 people As a part of a wide-ranging investigation into crimes associated to the Capitol assault. Round 500 have been punished.
Few different defendants, nevertheless, have acquired jail sentences so long as Rodriguez’s.
final month, Stuart RhodesHe was the chief of the far-right Oath Keepers 18 years old – Nonetheless a protracted sentence. The prosecutor had summoned 25 accused.
Earlier than Rhodes, the longest sentence was 14 years for Peter Schwartz of Kentucky, who prosecutors accused of breaking the Capitol police line and pepper-spraying retreating officers.
Like Rodriguez, Kelly Maggs, the chief of the Florida chapter of the Oath Keepers, additionally acquired 12 years in jail. He was sentenced together with Rhodes in Could.
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