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One of the leaders of the American far-right group Proud Boys was sentenced this Thursday to 17 years in prison for his participation in the assault on the Capitolheadquarters of the Congress, on January 6, 2021.
Prosecutors had asked for 33 years in prison against joseph biggsan Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who led about 200 members of Proud Boys to the Capitol to attempt to forcibly overturn the Democrat’s declaration of victory Joe Biden about the outgoing Republican president, donald trump.
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This is the second longest sentence pronounced by US justice in this case.
Judge Timothy Kelly took into account the aggravating circumstances for acts of terrorism requested by the prosecutors, but stressed that he had set the sentence at 16 years less than those requested, alleging that the defendant “I had no intention of killing people”.
The defendant had previously expressed his regret, by assuring that he was now away from politics and all militancy.
In May, he was found guilty of six charges, including sedition, along with other leaders of Proud Boys.
Another defendant in this case, Zachary Rehl, against whom the prosecution requested 30 years in prison, will learn the amount of his sentence during a hearing presided over by the same judge this afternoon. Two more will follow on Friday, before the leader of the group Enrique Tarriothe 5th of September.
Prosecutor Jason McCullough had highlighted in court the seriousness of the incident and the need for dissuasive sentences. The attackers “wanted to intimidate and terrorize” all who opposed them, he said.
The attack of January 6, 2021 “it broke our tradition of the peaceful transfer of power, one of the most precious things we had as Americans”the judge also said.
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soldiers of the right
joseph biggs he spent more than two years in pretrial detention, and during that period he was in solitary confinement, 22 hours a day without leaving his cell.
“I think he got the message”alleged his lawyer, Norman Pattis.
“I know I did wrong that day, but I am not a terrorist”said Biggs, with gray hair and beard, dressed in an orange prison uniform that reveals tattoos on his forearms.
In their allegations, the prosecutors describe the defendants as “soldiers of the right who wanted to keep their leader in power”in reference to donald trumpwho claimed that the elections had been “robbed” from him.
“Biggs acted as the spearhead of the attack”they said.
More than 1,100 people have been arrested and charged in the coup. More than half have received sentences, mostly to prison terms.
The most severe ruling was against Stewart Rhodes, founder of the far-right militia Oath Keepers, stewart rhodeswho was also convicted of sedition and sentenced to 18 years in prison.
At least five people died as a result of the assault on the Capitol and 140 police officers were injured.
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Source: Elcomercio
I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.
