Thread by @MacFarlaneNews

Sentencing is beginning in Jan 6 case of Audrey Southard-Rumsey

Prosecutors will ask for 6 years prison, arguing she went on "violent rampage" in Capitol. And they say, while carrying a pole, she was a "principal agitator" in the mob -- and called "for a 1776-style revolution"

Prosecutor argues Southard “led the mob toward the House Chamber” on Jan 6

“She was directly terrorizing Congress”

Prosecutor argues against the type of “caught up in the moment” defense that’s frequently invoked by Jan 6 defendants

Asst US Attorney says Southard “worked on a revolutionary manifesto”

Prosecutor says Southard sought to “install Donald Trump as President”

Defense attorney argues Southard was “very upset & very agitated”…. “Although she had a very big mouth, (Southard) didn’t have the actions of someone trying to influence” Congress

Defense says Southard didn’t carry firearm or terrorize

Defense says it was “a perfect storm that day”

On Jan 6

A unique variant of the “caught up in the moment” defense commonly invoked by Jan 6 defendants

Prosecutor: “She can believe what she wants, but she can’t go on a violent rampage because of that”

Prosecutor concludes: “It’s wrong to use violence to achieve political goals, no matter how right you think you are”

Southard’s defense makes final argument next

Defense echoes so many other Jan 6 defense attorneys by saying:

Southard “is done protesting… she lost her job, she’s received a lot of negativity” after the arrest

Defense, in an emphatic tone of voice, says Trump’s call to gather in DC ahead of Jan 6 and his “will be wild” statement were……. “outrageous”

Defense says Southard, 54, has had health conditions and “won’t be able to handle prison well because of her physical conditions”

Seeking leniency

Standby. Southard — who’s facing prospect and recommendation of six year prison term - will speak soon

Never seen anything like this … in any Jan 6 hearing. Southard is unleashing a list of grievances. She’s thrown away her written remarks, ignored her lawyer’s warning, is glaring periodically at prosecutors and has launched into something of a tirade

Standby

OK. A lot to unpack here. Potentially the most self-destructive thing I’ve seen in the 1000+ Jan 6 cases so far

Southard walked to podium clutching a paper with her written statement. She tossed it aside and says to judge “I wanted to tell you exactly what you want to hear, but I won’t. I won’t lie. There were vicious lies about me”… and she glares toward prosecutor

She glared a second time at Assistant US Attorney and says “nobody knows me”

Southard meanders through a series of points about hating strong smells, loving the paintings inside the Capitol… and being a particularly “fast walker”

She looks back at judge Amit Mehta and says “I want to tell the truth, I don’t care what happens”

Southard: “My whole dream of my life has been taken, because people have different politics than mine”

She then says Antifa was filming her on Jan 6

She then points at a police officer in the courtroom (an officer whom she allegedly saw on Jan 6)

She says points again at officer, calls him “the blonde one” and says “he was terrified”

The judge has ordered Southard to stop turning toward — and pointing at — others in courtroom

A US Marshal moved up next to Southard at podium. Right behind her as she continues speaking

Southard unleashes a series of political complaints:

“I’m terrified about what’s happening in our country”

She complains about the cost of gas and groceries

Southard then, in defiance of the allegations presented by Justice Dept says:

“I didn’t push the police officer, he pushed against me”

Southard: “I have grievances, since they don’t listen to us at the polling place”

“They don’t listen to us little people in the regular world”

Southard says “Washington DC destroys our lives”

About her defense attorney’s pledge to judge that Southard won’t protest in future, Southard says “I won’t protest because I’ll be in prison”

“Why protest? You guys don’t listen”

Southard: “I’m ashamed of this country”

Defense attorney has stepped back over to seek to calm or redirect Southard. Didn’t work

Southard to judge.. after again looking back at others in courtroom:

“When you decide to throw me in prison for doing my duty…. Think of what I now have to give up”

At her defense attorney’s urging, Southard wraps up.

“It’s not fair. It’s not right”

Judge Mehta calls for 15 min recess before announcing sentence

But…….

Asst US Attorney immediately stands to tell judge the Dept of Justice is no longer agreeing to a reduction in sentence for Ms Southard for “acceptance of responsibility”

The possible sentence recommendation just grew. Because of Southard’s words.

Standing by now for judge

Whoa

Judge adds terror enhancement in case

Feds had sought 6 years prison

New guidelines are now closer to 10 years

Judge is now quoting some of the most onerous words allegedly uttered by Southard on Jan 6,

“Pence is a traitor”
“Pelosi you socialist c***”
“Pelosi, we’re coming for that b***, traitorous c****”

She’s shaking her head as judge speaks. He notices

Judge You terrorized members of Congress, including those who believe the things you do

Judge slams Southard and other Jan 6 defendants for cloaking themselves “in patriotism”

DOJ will now ask she be sent directly to jail

FLASH: Judge sentences Audrey Southard-Rumsey to 6 years prison

Per defense attorney, it was a one-point terror enhancement

Judge Mehta: “The county you claim is oppressing you is giving you all .. the due process”

Southard comes out of courtroom and says to us: “Now you’ve got a real story!”

I asked Southard if she’d like to explain her remarks in court or what happened.

She looks and says “You’re a bunch of f**** liars. You should be ashamed of yourselves. You’re why we are in this mess”

Judge Amit Mehta paused for awhile when asked by prosecutors to order Southard jailed immediately. And he decided not to do so. He will allow her to self-surrender. Under release conditions

No estimate yet when Southard will report to prison.

She unleashed a series of vulgarities at reporters after hearing

! Just filed to @CBSNews about an outburst and episode unlike any other among the 1,000+ Jan. 6 cases

cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-sen…