In opening statements within the trial of Texas Three-Percenter member Man Reffitt, who's accused of bringing a gun to the January 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, prosecutors stated Reffitt spoke of pulling lawmakers out of Congress by the hair, "dragging them out kicking and f****** screaming."
His trial started Wednesday with an intensive account by the federal government of Reffitt's alleged actions that day. His protection attorneys spoke for underneath three minutes.
Reffitt, of Wylie, Texas, is accused of transporting a rifle and a semi-automatic handgun to Washington, D.C., after which carrying the handgun onto the U.S. Capitol grounds, the place he allegedly participated within the January 6 riot and threatened legislation enforcement officers. He is certainly one of solely a handful of defendants accused of carrying a firearm on Capitol grounds.
Reffitt can be charged with obstruction of justice, illegally getting into the Capitol advanced, and obstructing Congress' counting of the 2020 Electoral School votes — a course of that finally affirmed Joe Biden's victory over Donald Trump within the presidential election. And after the Capitol assault, investigators say Reffitt then traveled again to Texas, the place his spouse and youngsters reside, and talked about his membership within the mob that overran the Capitol. He pleaded not responsible to all prices and is the primary January 6 defendant to face trial.
In his opening assertion, prosecutor Jeffrey Nestler laid out the federal government's case, strolling jurors via Reffitt's alleged actions that day.
After making his technique to the Capitol on January 6, Nestler stated the defendant yelled, "We're taking the Capitol earlier than at present is over. Ripping them out by their hair…dragging them out kicking and f****** screaming. I simply need to see Pelosi's head hitting each f***** stair on the way in which out. And Mitch McConnell too."
"I am packing warmth and I'll get extra warmth," Reffitt allegedly stated, in line with Nestler, explaining he was not deterred by the pepper balls fired on the rioters. After making his means up the steps of the Capitol, he's accused of exhibiting the mob the way in which into the constructing. Reffitt didn't enter the constructing.
"He deliberate to gentle the match that might begin the hearth. He needed to cease Congress from doing its job," Nestler added.
The federal government will present jurors a Zoom recording of a Texas Three Percenter assembly following the riot throughout which they are saying Reffitt stated, "I had my .40 on my facet. They're fortunate we did not shoot them."
Prosecutors stated they might name a member of the militia group who traveled with Reffitt to the Capitol and Reffitt's youngsters, who he allegedly threatened in the event that they turned him in. They stated they might present the jury recordings of those interactions, too.
Protection legal professional William Welch spoke for not more than 3 minutes, telling the jury, "Man does brag. He exaggerates and he rants. He makes use of a number of hyperbole...The proof will present that this case has been a rush to judgment…primarily based on bragging and a number of hype."
Reffitt himself was current within the courtroom, in line with a press pool consultant within the room, carrying a darkish sport coat, blue shirt with white undershirt and blue denims. He confirmed little response throughout each open statements, as did his spouse, Nicole, who was additionally current.
Prosecutor stated they count on to indicate the jury a number of photos, movies, and audio recordings depicting Reffitt's alleged involvement within the riot. Roughly a dozen witnesses are set to testify. Neslter even promised the jury a "civics lesson" of kinds, explaining the federal government will describe the precise constitutional provisions behind the Electoral School rely that the rioters sought to interrupt.
If convicted, Reffitt faces a most of 60 years in jail.