We're getting started with the plea hearing for Dawn Bancroft before Judge Emmet G. Sullivan. She's pleading guilty to parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, a misdemeanor charge. #CapitolRiot @wusa9
https://twitter.com/JordanOnRecord/status/1442855335828631558
Judge Sullivan asks Dawn Bancroft why she is pleading guilty today.
"I would like to accept responsibility for what I did, my part, in January 6," she says.
"I would like to accept responsibility for what I did, my part, in January 6," she says.
Dawn Bancroft is wearing the red ski cap in the front of the picture. Her friend Diana Santos-Smith is in the red cap in the back. Both are "Make America Great Again" branded.
Dawn Bancroft says she graduated high school. Is not under the effects of any mind-altering medication, etc. The standard questions to determine if she's of sound mind. Judge Sullivan finds that she is.
Bancroft says she has no criminal record and has never been arrested before. Sullivan tells her this isn't a felony offense she's pleading to, but that it may "inhibit" her in the future (potentially carrying a gun in some states, doing business w/ the federal govt., etc.).
The DOJ is reading off the statement of offense. Says Bancroft entered the Capitol through a window. Then shot a selfie video saying she "broke into the Capitol" and that she and a friend were "looking for Nancy to shoot her in the friggin' brain."
Dawn Bancroft says she made the comment in "the hype of the moment."
Sullivan: "We're going to talk about that statement more come time of sentencing. Because I'm very troubled. Very troubled. So... I want you to start thinking about your motivations behind that statement."
Sullivan: "We're going to talk about that statement more come time of sentencing. Because I'm very troubled. Very troubled. So... I want you to start thinking about your motivations behind that statement."
Sullivan: "Up to this point in your life you've been a law-abiding citizen. And that's one of the big questions in this case." Says court has received "scores" of letters about the upstanding character of defendants, but that on January 6 they morphed into "terrorists."
Dawn Bancroft will be back for sentencing on January 25. Judge Sullivan is taking a 10-minute recess before the plea hearing for her co-defendant, Diana Santos-Smith, which I'll continue covering in this thread.
Picking back up now with the plea hearing for Diana Santos-Smith (rear, red cap), of Pennsylvania, who will be pleading guilty to one misdemeanor count of parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building. #CapitolRiot @wusa9
Judge Sullivan asks Santos-Smith why she wants to plead guilty.
"Because I am guilty, your honor," she says.
"Because I am guilty, your honor," she says.
Santos-Smith says she is 32 years old. Finished some college. Is not under the effects of any mind-altering substances. Etc.
The DOJ goes through the statement of offense for Santos-Smith, which is the same as Bancroft's, minus the threatening statement.
And, thus, a much quicker hearing. Judge Sullivan accepts Santos-Smith's plea and sets her sentencing for the same date as Bancroft's: January 25.
Sullivan: "Miss Santos-Smith, not to scare you, but we're going to have a looong talk on January 25 about how the heck you got yourself into this mess!?"
Judge Sullivan says he agrees with former President George W. Bush that January 6 was a terroristic event on the scale of 9/11.
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