The oldest known Jan. 6 defendant, 81-year-old Gary Wickersham, is about to be sentenced.
“It’s the first defendant I’ve had that’s older than me in quite some time,” says 78-year-old Senior Judge Royce Lamberth.
“It’s the first defendant I’ve had that’s older than me in quite some time,” says 78-year-old Senior Judge Royce Lamberth.
“We believe a sentence of home detention is appropriate,” says federal prosecutor. Per court filing, they’ll show a video compilation of his activities at the Capitol, which should subsequently be released to the media.
DOJ: "He claimed that he was authorized to enter the Capitol because he pays his taxes. He claimed that the entire event was staged, and that law enforcement purposefully did not have enough resources there…” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
Defense: "He is a man who spent a life valuing the ideals of America. It is particularly sad that in his eightieth year, Mr. Wickersham took part in such a dark day in our nation's history.” storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…
“In 81 years, Mr. Wickersham has never had a need for a lawyer,” says Wickersham’s lawyer, who says he doesn’t think he’s ever had a criminal defendant quite like Wickersham.
Wickersham went to D.C. because he was “bored and had nothing else to do,” his lawyer tells the judge. He didn’t engage in violence or property damage.
Wickersham addresses the judge.
“It’s not like me to do that.”
Calls the 22 minutes he spent inside the Capitol a “dark blot” on his 81 years, which includes military service.
“I’m remorseful for it,” Wickersham says. He says he throws himself at the mercy of the court.
“It’s not like me to do that.”
Calls the 22 minutes he spent inside the Capitol a “dark blot” on his 81 years, which includes military service.
“I’m remorseful for it,” Wickersham says. He says he throws himself at the mercy of the court.
Judge Lamberth gives Gary Wickersham a sentence of 36 months probation, and a fine of $2,000 (in addition to restitution). He’ll have home detention (with some exceptions) for 90 days.
Lamberth says the courts have to treat this as a serious offense to deter others from engaging in that type of conduct in the future.
Lamberth says he wants a sentence that encourages others to come forward and “set things straight” and take responsibility for their actions.
Judge Lamberth once again expresses confusion about defendants actually attempting to go to trial on Jan. 6 cases, given the overwhelming evidence.
“When you see these tapes, I don’t know what they’re going to try,” Lamberth says.
“When you see these tapes, I don’t know what they’re going to try,” Lamberth says.
Here’s Lamberth previously explaining why taking a guilty plea is the right move, given the overwhelming evidence.
https://twitter.com/ryanjreilly/status/1461015391573102602
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