Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

HERE WE GO: Sentencing hearing begins now for high-profile Jan 6 defendant Jacob Chansley (so-called Q Anon Shaman)

Feds will seek 51 months prison, citing his leadership role, bullhorn & note he left at Pence desk in Chamber

Defense will argue Chansley didn't plot or injure

The note left at Senate President (Pence) desk on Jan 6, 2021. ( Feds say Chansley refused police order to vacate Pence's seat) ===>

Feds allege Chansley yelled "Time's up motherf***" inside the Senate chamber.... playing a leadership role, egging on the mob at a pivotal moment

He served time in pretrial detention, secured transfer from DC jail to Virginia, because of lack of vegan diet in the jail

Defense will argue Chansley has mental health concerns... and didn't plot/plan/injure/ransack/assault on Jan 6. They want judge to go *significantly* below the recommended 51 months prison recommended by feds

Per defense attorney's sentencing memo... Chansley sought to testify at Trump's 2nd impeachment trial. And sought a Presidential pardon from chief of staff Mark Meadows before Jan 20, 2021.

Prosecutors begin their argument by reminding the court that Chansley was the first defendant charged in the US Capitol attack

(An attorney in case had previously said Chansley, due to his unique clothing, is as associated with Jan 6 as the "swoosh is with Nike")

Prosecutor argues Chansley riled up his "thousands" of social media followers after the election. She is leaning into argument that the word "peaceful" is being overused by defense attorneys in US Capitol riot cases.

She's now showing video of Chansley at Capitol, screaming

Prosecutor -- as part of extended argument against claims that Jan 6 mob included "peaceful protestor" - plays video and reinforces of Chansley yelling "Time's up motherf***" inside the US Senate chamber

"He's feet away" from Members of Congress

To be clear, it's not just defense attorneys who've argued January 6 was largely a "peaceful protest"

It's some Members of Congress, including a longtime Republican Senator... and it's Donald Trump doing so too

Prosecutor acknowledges Jacob Chansley did not assault anyone or damage anything... "That alone does not a peaceful person make"

Prosecutor: Screaming, asking for the lawmakers, yelling "Time is Up"

!! Judge asks if feds have evidence Chansley knew there was a noose hanging outside... when Chansley yelled "Time is up"

Interesting.... this is a rare time that a judge has drilled down on -- or cited -- the noose from the gallows

Here's a picture of the rope used for noose

Prosecutor says there's no evidence whether Chansley knew about the noose ... when he yelled "Time's up" or wrote the note on Pence's desk that "Justice is coming"

But prosecutor argues Chansley *did* say "Pence is a f**** traitor"

Prosecutor: "He is spewing obscenities at our nation's lawmakers".. he left "chilling note" for VP Pence.. He's literally in the spot where the peaceful transfer of power was supposed to occur

Defense begins by talking about Chansley's health issues. They've been unequivocal that he suffers mental health concerns. And that prison would exacerbate it

Defense is meandering a bit here. Talking about how it should be "the proud duty" of our country to protect the vulnerable. Defense seems to be suggesting Chansley is vulnerable

Defense says you can't label all Jan 6 defendants under "one moniker" - "Jacob presents as a very unappealing defendant" .. but says you have to "scratch down to the surface"

Defense says Chansley has served 317 days in pretrial detention. Much of it at the Alexandria detention facility

(Chansley scored a transfer from the troubled DC jail, citing lack of vegan diet food)

Defense says Chansley "endured" his incarceration with self-reflection, meditation .. "He did that in a way that was devoid of any disciplinary issues"... "humane and peaceful"

Defense calls it "solitary'

Defense says Chansley self-surrendered, showed agents his clothes and .............. his horns

Defense: "This is a bright young man"

Ahead of Chansley's address to court, lawyer says:
"I have not told Jake what to say.... I have not reviewed a thing he's written"

Chansley is military veteran. Honorably discharged from the Navy many years ago. Defense says court has Chansley's medical records

(Dozens and dozens of Jan 6 defendants are military veterans.... including those facing the highest-level charges)

STANDBY: Chansley is about to speak