Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

Sentencing at 10am in Jan 6 case of Robert Reeder

This case has had twists & turns, including the 11th hour reveal of new video of Reeder before his initial sentencing date in August, allegedly showing assault on police. But no new charge

We'll want to watch this hearing

https://twitter.com/MacFarlaneNews/status/1442911128632250370

This slide is from the argument the US Justice Dept is expected to give in court at 10am

And this one =====>

(Facebook history)

Feds are gonna be arguing for prison time in this case....

Here's another part of their presentation ===>

Feds say Reeder claimed he attended Jan 6 "because he had nothing better to do"... and wanted to also visit monuments

Prosecutor argue Reeder had track record of social media posts questioning election, calling "liberals insane", posts about Dominion

Prosecutors are showing images of Reeder in court
And they're arguing he chose to enter the Capitol, despite the clear signs he wasn't permitted to do so ===>

Prosecutor leans into this argument..... about the defense attorney references of the "crowd" on Jan 6

"The crowd.... was a riotous mob"

Prosecutor is arguing that Reeder has been less than truthful.. not remorseful..... and prosecutor is reading through the baseless election claims Reeder made on Facebook

Prosecutor in argument about Jan 6 defendant Robert Reeder... "not a tourist".... a "criminal"

Rep. Andrew Clyde's "tourist" statement at this year's US House hearing has taken on a life of his own

Feds ask judge to hand down a sentence of SIX MONTHS in jail for Reeder. That'd actually be the maximum under the guidelines in this misdemeanor case

Reeder's defense lawyer Bob Bonsib argues Reeder did not anticipate the crowd was going to shout "Hang Mike Pence" ... and note the language, he argues Reeder "escaped" eventually from the Rotunda

(editor note: I've frequently interviewed Bonsib while covering courts)

Defense is arguing Reeder did not "assault" police and was not aggressive against police

Note: Reeder was not charged w/ assault, pleaded to misdemeanor. But @SeditionHunters tracked down video exhibit of Reeder making physical contact w/ police ...

This is a striking case. Robert Reeder pleaded guilty to low-level misdemeanor & faces 0-6 months in jail. We're approaching hour three of this ongoing hearing over his sentencing

But he's accused of being untruthful to feds & assaulting police... yet faces only misdemeanor

This case was supposed to go to sentencing in August, but was postponed at 11th hour after the Sedition Hunters group found new video showing the alleged assault of police. But feds stuck with misdemeanor deal… and instead are leaning into higher end sentence request (6 months)

Robert Reeder is addressing the court now: “I sincerely apologize for my shameful actions….. It was the biggest mistake of my life.”

Reeder: “I found myself …. At the Capitol taking pictures”

Reeder: “I committed unacceptable actions for being there. I know it was really tough for the police… I’ve always supported the police 110%… if the FBI ever needs to call me again, I’m ready and able”

Reeder: “I saw what happened there, it was disgusting”… then he says he hopes “bad actors are held accountable for what they did”

Reeder says he’s lost friends because of Jan 6. Then tears up while talking about his son. “I’ve lost my job… I’m radioactive. No one wants to hire me. They just have to Google my name.”

Reeder says he’s a former Scout leader, baseball and soccer coach. And can’t do it anymore. And he says his church has asked him “to take a break… and not be a distraction”. “Financially I’m ruined … I’ve been without a paycheck”

Reeder: “I was never a member of any political organization…. I might have clicked on memes that might’ve identified me with those groups”

“I had no right to be in the Capitol. I understand that.”

Reeder asks judge to grant him “one more chance”…. “Id be eternally grateful”

“Im a good man”

Reeder is wrapping up. Judge begins his remarks expressing concern about Reeder’s claim that police willingly let rioters inside. Judge says “you didn’t accept responsibility if you blame the police”

Judge: “I recognize your contrition. It’s sincere at this point.” But judge says during FBI interview, Reeder seemed disingenuous. “You were not (an accidental tourist)”

Judge says Reeder was “disingenuous” and “self-serving” when questioned by FBI. And judge says Facebook posts by Reeder contradict Reeder’s prior statement he was not a political person

!!!!! Judge: “It’s become evident to me in the riot cases, many of the defendants who are pleading guilty are not truly accepting responsibility. They seem to trying to get this out of the way as quickly as possible”

Judge: “This was an attack on the Capitol of the United States. It should not have been defaced”

Judge is going lower than what Feds are seeking for sentence.. after acknowledging family and economic consequences Reeder says he’s already suffered

Reeder gets 3 months jail