[ad_1]
Weidemann did not immediately rule on the stay request, but said Barnett’s release would not take place until Saturday at the earliest.
During the unusually long detention hearing, prosecutors introduced Barnett as a dangerous person who acted deceptively after the events on Capitol Hill by disabling location services on his cell phone, paying only in cash and by covering his face.
Harris said Barnett made “a mockery of [Pelosi] and his office. The prosecutor also said that in the various images of Barnett on Capitol Hill he appeared “to be enjoying this moment of glory a lot.”
Prosecutors also viewed a video of Barnett purchasing a stun gun, walkie talkies and pepper spray at a Bass Sporting Goods store in Arkansas on New Years Eve. They said his cell phone and the stun gun did not have were not found, suggesting several times during the hearing that he had abandoned them in an attempt to hide incriminating evidence.
Barnett’s defense attorney Anthony Siano responded by calling a half-dozen witnesses to testify to Barnett’s good character and honesty.
An unusual aspect of the session was that the judge heard testimony not only about the threat Barnett would or might not pose to the community, but also a series of threats he and his family received after his image went viral afterwards. the storming of the Capitol. by a pro-Trump mob on Jan.6.
Wiedemann ultimately decided to release Barnett on what she called “very, very restrictive” conditions which she called “house arrest.” She ordered the accused to be placed under GPS surveillance and not have internet access.
The judge said Barnett’s communications limits were in response to “the government’s concerns about the upcoming inauguration and the current climate.”
“He appears to be a law-abiding citizen, for the most part, although there have been incidents which concern the court with his weapon during rallies,” the judge added.
Siano made a passing complaint to Wiedemann that although his client faces serious charges, those who organized and spoke at the “Stop the Steal” rally that turned into the Capitol Riot were not charged.
“A defense lawyer in my position could surely be tempted to tell the court that no one who stepped on the podium or promoted this event has been brought to the bar,” Siano said.
Siano also said Barnett should not be penalized for his strong political views. “The fact that my client is speaking openly and is a very, very enthusiastic supporter of Donald J. Trump and a very enthusiastic supporter of the 2nd Amendment is not a basis for an accusation in this case,” Siano said.
Siano added that the anonymous threats of “crackpots and kooks” made against Barnett should not be a reason to deny him bail.
Harris said the government’s appeal against Weidemann’s order would be directed to Washington U.S. District Court chief justice Beryl Howell.
[ad_2]
Source link