Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

Sentencing begins in 10 minutes in the Jan 6 case of Dona Bissey of Indiana, who's made several arguments seeking mercy of the court

Including her concern about COVID in prison, as she is unvaccinated

Standby

Prosecutor: "What was most unbelievable is the defendant's claim she would not have gone into the Capitol if she knew she were not allowed"

Prosecutor cites all of the chaos and mayhem that was self-evident to those in the mob

Prosecutor just said the feds offered probation when they first made the plea deal with Bissey.. and they're going to stick with their offer.

That's possibly a nod to the growing criticism of the "probation" deals being cut in Jan 6 cases

Feds say "it's important" Bissey not fall for another "conspiracy"..... including that COVID is a "hoax pandemic"

"It's one thing to believe in conspiracy theories in your basement, it's another thing to act on it"

Feds are seeking drug testing for Bissey.... community service, ban on firearms possession....

And they credit her for "two days" she served in jail after arrest

Prosecutor: "When the defendant visited the Capitol that day she was not a tourist... "

In one case after another, feds or judges keep slamming the "tourist" argument from Rep Andrew Clyde (R-GA)

Defense: "This cannot be about Ms Bissey's beliefs .. as strange and weird as they are"

Defense: "She's gregarious, she's warm.. I can promise you she's not a monster. She;'s a woman who made a mistake"

Defense: "She did not come to (DC) with any intention, other than supporting her President."

Defense: "She is sorry. She is ashamed of her actions on January 6"

Defense says Bissey's husband went to emergency room today... and that Bissey showed "integrity" by proceeding with sentencing

Bissey is given opportunity to address court, but declines

Judge will now issue sentence and remarks

Judge Tanya Chutkan: "Ms Bissey was no inadvertent participant"

Judge: "This case is not about Ms Bissey's political beliefs.. it's about her actions"

Judge: "When Ms Bissey got home she was not (struck) with remorse or regret"

Judge: "Had there been no public outcry, she'd still be proud of her participation...."

Judge it factors in Bissey's favor that she didn't assault anyone or do damage.... then adds "people are complicated"

Judge references prosecutor argument that Bissey is particularly susceptible to conspiracy theories... then adds "that is her right"

Judge keeps saying this case is not about her belief

And.. there it is: Judge says it's ironic that Bissey is arguing that she shouldn't be jailed due to COVID risk...... considering Bissey hasn't been vaccinated and has talked about COVID conspiracy theories

Defense acknowledges Bissey has NOT been vaccinated.. saying her doctor has "not told her" to get the vaccine

Defense appears blaming the doctor. Judge interjects saying no evidence has been entered on this matter.. including any indication her doctor has advised AGAINST vax

And... now we're transitioning to a vaccine debate

Defense says vaccine wouldn't protect Bissey from "breakthrough case"

Judge: "You're setting up a straw man" argument

There are so many intersections between anti-vaxxing and Jan 6 defendants

So, so many

Judge: Vaccines "can't be a reason I give her a lighter sentence"

Judge: "The court concludes this is not an appropriate case for a probation argument"

"There must be consequences...."

Judge: "She was fully aware of the chaos and destruction around her"... then says Bissey later bragged of participation

"....People inside the Capitol were suffering that day.. just for doing their jobs"

**** Judge: "The people inside that Capitol... they were patriots also" ****

Hammering down the arguments from Jan 6 defendants that they're "patriots"

ALERT - Judge sentences Dona Bissey to 14 days in jail

This joins a recent series of cases, in which judges are taking a harder line in misdemeanor Jan 6 case sentencings

Increasingly... it's a harder line