[ad_1]
A California man who pleaded responsible to a felony for his participation within the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol filed a letter Wednesday exhibiting he was personally invited by a retired Republican congressman to attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Russell Taylor, whom prosecutors described as a “chief” who organized a “group of fighters” to journey to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, to impede Congress’ certification of Trump’s 2020 election loss, filed the letter from retired Republican Rep. Chris Stewart in a request for the choose overseeing his case to approve his journey to the nation’s capital.
Rep. Chris Stewart takes his seat earlier than the beginning ofthe Weaponization of the Federal Authorities Subcommittee listening to on “Weaponization of the Federal Authorities” in Washington, D.C., Feb. 9, 2023.
Invoice Clark/Getty Photographs
Stewart makes no direct point out within the letter of Taylor’s participation within the Capitol assault, as a substitute describing him as “a person of integrity and religion who has served those that are much less lucky.”
“Russ’ ardour for what is true and good is mirrored in his intentions to raise others,” Stewart stated.
Nevertheless, prosecutors described him as main “not simply by phrases, however by deeds,” upfront of the Capitol assault, in line with court docket paperwork from his case. Taylor “repeatedly known as for violence and a present of power” to overturn the election and, on Jan. 6 itself, led a mob that overran a police line close to the inaugural stage whereas sporting “an uncovered knife on prime of a bullet proof chest plate and carrying bear spray,” in line with his sentencing memo.
Trump supporters take over the steps of the Capitol because the Congress works to certify the electoral school votes, Jan. 6, 2021.
Invoice Clark/Getty Photographs
Taylor acquired credit score from the choose overseeing his case, Royce Lamberth, for his settlement to enter right into a plea cope with prosecutors adopted by testimony at trial that helped convict one in every of his co-conspirators. Lamberth rejected prosecutors’ request to condemn him to over 4 years in jail and as a substitute sentenced him to 6 months of residence detention and probation.
“Counsel submits that Mr. Taylor doesn’t pose any danger or concern for this journey request,” Taylor’s attorneys stated of their letter to Lamberth on Wednesday. “He’s touring together with his household together with minor youngsters. He’s the visitor of a former Congressman, and has demonstrated again and again that he’s reliable in his journey and compliance with Court docket Orders. We hereby request he be allowed to journey to Washington D.C. from January 16 to 21, 2025.”
[ad_2]
