Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

Sentencing begins in moments in Jan 6 case of Leonard Gruppo, who was accused of scaling retaining wall, ignoring police orders and later deleting items from phone. Misdemeanor case. Feds recommend 30 days prison

Let's see if federal judge goes higher or lower....

Here we go. Same federal judge who blistered federal prosecutors yesterday for cutting low-level plea deals and "tying hands" of judges at sentencing.... is handling this case.

As feds make their case for jail sentence of *30 days*... they're leaning into the argument that Gruppo scaled a wall and saw mayhem, yet proceeded.

Gruppo's military service is coming up in discussions too...

Prosecutor tells judge plea deals requesting only probation are the "exception".. not the "rule" in Jan 6 case

Prosecutors detail how difficult it was for Gruppo to scale a wall at Capitol on Jan 6. "They were packed like sardines... He deliberately overlooked a red flag", prosecutor says

Defense says Gruppo was "humiliated" and wanted to turn himself into authorities "immediately"

Defense emphasizes "extent of Mr. Gruppo's military career"....

!!! Gruppo is cooperating with the US House Select Jan6 Committee too.. per attorney

Defense says "probation" is appropriate in this case... alluding to case yesterday, in which Jack Griffith was given probation as sentence. By same judge

Defense says Gruppo was "sickened" by what he saw on TV of the riots

Gruppo says when he got back to his hotel on Jan 6 he "couldn't believe the reports" on TV.. "I've let down so many people"... "big mistake"

Gruppo says he let down "both Presidents"

Judge is about to issue sentence. Beginning with restitution. She again emphasizes that rioters were not protestors..

(Same judge expressed concern yesterday about these small $$ restitution guidelines in the low-level plea details)

Judge references how Donald Trump said he was gonna walk down to the Capitol with the mob.. adding "of course he did not"

Judge Howell runs through some the factors of Gruppo's case. Gruppo was in Capitol for approx. 7 minutes, voluntarily turned himself into FBI, didn't assault anyone, didn't join chants, didn't damage anything and "no inflammatory language on social media before, during or after"

Judge Howell says Gruppo has no criminal history. And judge says Gruppo's time as a combat veteran "deserves respect"

Important reference by judge. Prosecutors have been arguing that military service "cuts both ways" (noble, but vets should "know better", per feds)

Judge to Gruppo, "Your better judgment seemed to return to you immediately after January 6"

Judge says Gruppo is one of the few defendants she's seen who's offered an apology..... including to President Biden, Trump, Speaker Pelosi, VP Harris

Judge is leaning into the value of Gruppo's apology, lack of criminal history, cooperation w/ feds... and need to avoid unwarranted sentencing disparities (others have gotten probation)

ALERT: Judge sentences Leonard Gruppo to two years probation & $10 special assessment. Gruppo becomes the latest in a growing number of Jan 6 defendants to plead guilty to misdemeanor and avoid jail time

And judge issues $3000 fine.

A different federal judge pressed prosecutors last week about why they weren't seeking more fines from more jan 6 defendants