Thread by @ZoeTillman

Dialed in as the AUSA is defending the govt's recc of probation, says it's appropriate under the circumstances, noting Bissey would be under govt supervision for 3 years and highlighting her susceptibility to believe in "dangerous" conspiracy theories

https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1447987496944607239

AUSA notes that if they asked for jail time, the period of govt supervision after that would be capped at 6 mos, versus the 3 years that they're asking for

Ongoing tension here in the Jan. 6 cases: Govt says someone like Bissey is a problem because of her willingness to act on conspiracy theories she consumed. Defense counsel argues she should be punished based on conduct that day, not beliefs, as "strange" or "weird" as they are

Bissey's lawyer says Bissey is remorseful and understands what she did was wrong, is "horrified" she participated. Notes that Bissey's husband went to the ER this a.m. for a medical emergency, and Bissey decided not to seek a continuance because she wanted to accept consequences

Chutkan is up, begins by saying she's sorry to hear about Bissey's husband, and echoes what Bissey's lawyer said about the court needing to view each defendant as an individual even though they all participated in the mob that day

Chutkan says she wants to make clear that the sentence she hands down is not about Bissey's political beliefs, and that the right of every American to their beliefs is something the judge would defend: "It is about her actions."

Chutkan notes Bissey didn't express remorse immediately after 1/6, only after being ID'd and charged: "I cannot help but think that had there been no consequences for Ms. Bissey in terms of getting criminally charged...she would still be proud of her participation in that riot"

Chutkan says that Bissey has a right to believe whatever she wants to believe — however, Bissey ID'd herself as being anti-mask and anti-vax, and judge says it's "ironic" defense argued for no jail time in part to avoid COVID exposure given Bissey's higher health risk factors

Chutkan gearing up to announce Bissey's sentence, indicates she's not going to order just probation: "But there must be consequences for taking part, even a small part, in a mass attempt to stop the certification of a presidential election" and the peaceful transfer of power

Now: Judge Chutkan orders Jan. 6 defendant Dona Bissey to spend 14 days in jail + 60 hours community service, plus $500 in restitution that she agreed on in plea deal — rejecting recommendation by govt and defense for probation alone

Chutkan says that Bissey is allowed to believe whatever she wants to believe, so probation (that is, a longer period of govt supervision) isn't the right punishment in this situation — goal should be a sentence that deters her from taking this kind of action again, judge says

Chutkan will allow Bissey to turn herself in, noting this means she will have time to address her family members' medical issues referenced during today's hearing

Chutkan last week ordered a 45-day jail sentence for another Capitol rioter, Matthew Mazzocco, rejecting the govt's recommendation of a period of home confinement: buzzfeednews.com/article/zoetil…