Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

STANDBY: Justice Dept will seek 70 months in prison in Capitol riot case of Jeffrey Brown, arguing Brown sprayed orange liquid at police and joined the "heave-ho" attack in tunnel on Jan 6

Prosecutor opened sentencing argument by saying “anything less than 70 months” in prison “would send the wrong message” in Jan 6 case of Jeffrey Brown. And he slams defense claim Brown had a “misguided curiosity” on Jan 6

Prosecutor says Brown was part of a “coordinated heave-ho” against police. “The Political and emotional damage” is incalculable, prosecutor says.

And he says Brown has managed to raise $27,000+ on-line from “this crime”

Brown is in orange jail jumpsuit at defense table. With a group of supporters in courtroom watching.

Defense argues Brown, 56, has no criminal history

Defense says Brown lost his job and his freedoms and is “removed from family and friends”… as he makes argument for leniency

Judge is questioning defense about Brown’s claim on fundraising website about being a “political prisoner”

Defense responds by citing “unhealthy environment” of DC jail where other Jan 6 defendants are held

Judge asks if defense is seeking too lenient a sentence considering this case alleged assault against police

Jeff Brown speaks now. Seeking leniency. He invokes a common refrain among Jan 6 defendants. He says he “was caught up in the moment”

Then … he uses the same phrase two additional times

He asks judge Amit Mehta to “see through the political fog and send me home with my family”

Brown makes extended argument alleging bias in the media .. and a lack of alternative sources of media about the Jan 6 defendants and cases

Jeffrey Brown, seeking the mercy of court, then asks judge:

“When is a riot… a riot?”

He draws equivalencies to summer 2020 unrest and says Jan 6 riot was “highly politicized”

He says Jan 6 defendants are unfairly “labeled” extremists.

Brown invokes the name of President Biden. Saying the President just declared for re-election three days ago.. and is among those “unfairly labeling us”

Then he makes another “caught up in the moment” reference

He cites financial losses due to legal fees and incarceration

Judge Amit Mehta calls brief recess. And will return with sentence for Jeffrey Scott Brown

Standby …

Judge Mehta: January 6 set us back as a country

Judge notes Brown’s lack of criminal history, then says “lives can change in minutes”… “that effect is multiplied when you’re one of thousands” in a riot.

Judge responds to Brown’s equivalency of Jan 6 and summer 2020

Judge says Jan 6 “was a riot.. make no mistake .. there was hand-to-hand combat…” and injuries

Then judge emphasizes to Brown: “And you joined in that riot”

Judge says comparisons of Jan 6 to summer 2020 are a “false equivalency” .. in part because January 6 was a threat to a “fundamental democratic tradition and the peaceful transfer of power”

Judge Mehta tells Jeff Brown “You’re not being prosecuted because of your politics… not because of Donald Trump”

He tells Brown “that’s not why the jury convicted you”

Judge says Jan 6 “shows the power and sway of misinformation”

Judge says to Brown “I can’t send you home”

And judge adds “until January 6th .. we accepted elections” in America

FLASH: Judge sentences Jeffrey Brown to 54 months prison