Washington – The one-time communications director of the far-right Texas Three Percenters militia group, now a authorities witness, instructed a jury that he and his former affiliate, defendant Man Reffitt, introduced firearms to Washington, D.C., and zip ties and radios to the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021, forward of the assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Rocky Hardie, of Texas, took the stand on Friday after coming into an settlement with prosecutors that grants him immunity towards crimes mentioned as a part of his testimony.
Hardie mentioned he took a loaded handgun strapped to a shoulder sling to the Capitol and that Reffitt, too, introduced firearms to the Washington, D.C., space.
Though Hardie mentioned he didn't see a handgun on Reffitt's particular person as the 2 made their strategy to the Capitol, he testified that Reffitt at all times had the handgun holstered on his hip in the course of the time interval main as much as the January 6 Capitol assault.
Reffitt, of Wylie, Texas, is on trial for transporting a rifle and a semi-automatic handgun to Washington, D.C., after which carrying the handgun onto U.S. Capitol grounds, the place he allegedly participated within the January 6 riot and threatened legislation enforcement officers.
He's additionally charged with obstruction of justice, illegally coming into the Capitol advanced and obstructing Congress' counting of the 2020 Electoral School votes — a course of that in the end affirmed Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump within the presidential election.
Hardie instructed jurors he first met Reffitt when the 2 each joined the Texas Three Percenters. "They assist legislation enforcement and so they consider in supporting the Structure," he mentioned. Reffitt was answerable for investigating new members of the group and even held conferences at his residence, Hardie mentioned.
Hardie mentioned he and Reffitt shared "comparable views" about Congress and the idea that the 2020 presidential election had been "stolen" from Trump.
When prosecutors requested Hardie if he nonetheless believed the election was stolen, he responded, "Immediately, sure, I do," describing it as a "catastrophic occasion."
Hardie mentioned he wished to journey to Washington, D.C. on January 6 in an try to cease the certification of the votes by Congress. "The target was that by our presence there, they might not certify the vote that day."
As he and Reffitt traveled to Washington, Hardie mentioned they talked about how they needed to "get the bastards out of there." Hardie mentioned he joked that Speaker of the Home Nancy Pelosi needed to be "dragged out by her ankles or her toes or one thing," earlier than her head went "boom-boom-boom" down the Capitol steps.
However Hardie additionally mentioned that at the moment, he "thought that was inconceivable" to breach the Capitol.
He and Reffitt have been the one two members of the Texas Three Percenters to make the practically 24-hour drive to Washington, D.C. forward of the Capitol riot, Hardly instructed the jury. They each introduced handguns and semi-automatic rifles on their journey, reassembling the rifles as soon as they have been within the parking zone of their lodge on the morning of January 6, 2021 anticipating violence.
He mentioned they introduced the rifles with them on the journey, although they knew it was towards Washington, D.C. legislation, reasoning that "it is higher to be tried by a jury of 12 than carried by 6."
"There may very well be violence on the streets from these violent teams like ANTIFA," Hardie mentioned of the fears he and Reffitt had. "The concept was if these individuals have been hurting different human beings, then we'd use ARs towards them." It was then that Hardie mentioned Reffitt handed him the zip ties. They left the assembled rifles of their automotive on the lodge and didn't deliver them to the Capitol.
The FBI discovered no proof that ANTIFA had any involvement within the January 6 rioting.
The pair first headed towards the Nationwide Mall, Hardie recounted, taking photos as the massive crowd listened to former President Trump's "Save America" rally speech. Hardie mentioned they didn't cease to pay attention.
Reffitt and Hardie grew to become separated, Hardie mentioned, however stayed in radio contact. When he lastly made his strategy to the Capitol grounds, he mentioned he noticed rioters climbing the scaffolding, "like spiders climbing up partitions."
Hardie mentioned he didn't scale any partitions or go up the steps of the Capitol, however he did get shut sufficient to the touch the constructing.
After the Capitol assault, Reffitt and Hardie met again of their D.C. lodge room the place Hardie mentioned Reffitt recounted making an attempt to make it into the Capitol constructing, however mentioned he needed to cease after he was pelted with pepper balls and sprayed with chemical irritants.
"I made it attainable for different individuals to proceed" into the constructing, Hardie mentioned Reffitt had instructed him.
Investigators say Reffitt and Hardie then traveled again to Texas, the place Reffitt's spouse and youngsters dwell.
Days later, Reffitt allegedly instructed his son and daughter, "If you happen to flip me in, you are a traitor — and you understand what occurs to traitors...Traitors get shot," Reffitt's son, Jackson, testified Thursday.
Reffitt and Hardie met by Zoom with different members of the Three Percenters following the assault and described the riot in Washington, D.C. Not lengthy afterward, the chief of the militia group, who had not traveled with the pair, was taken in for questioning by the FBI. Reffitt was later charged whereas Hardie began speaking with investigators.
Man Reffitt pleaded not responsible to all 5 counts and has made quite a few unsuccessful makes an attempt to have a few of the fees dismissed.
William Welch, Reffitt's protection legal professional, questioned Hardie about his take care of prosecutors. "Someone within the authorities is gonna resolve did I lie or not lie," the witness responded. Since January 6, Hardie mentioned he has traveled to Mexico and Florida for work and has not been charged with against the law.
As his one-time journey accomplice regarded on, Hardie added that he will probably be touring to Thailand for enterprise within the close to future.
Editor's be aware: This story has been up to date to appropriate the spelling of Rocky Hardie's identify.