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But it is the officer’s heartbreaking personal tales that add new chapters to the growing collection of horrors unleashed that day. Blassingame said he was thrown into a stone column while rioters were throwing the word at him. N. Hemby said he suffered injuries to his hands and knees which required continued medical attention. Both said they suffered from ongoing emotional trauma that changed their lives.
The officers’ description of the crowd also serves as a counterpoint to Trump, who this week falsely described the riot as a peaceful rally, where his supporters posed “no threat” and “hugged and kissed” the police. More than 100 police officers were injured that day and one, Brian Sicknick, later died of still unknown causes – although video footage shows he was run over by a rioter hours before collapsing. Two other officers have since committed suicide, which their families attribute to the trauma of the attack and the toll he suffered afterwards.
In the costume, Blassingame described watching helplessly as the crowd caught up with officers pinned to the Capitol’s western front. Then he watched a “sea of people” charge towards him and a small group of officers inside the Capitol crypt.
“The insurgents were throwing objects and hitting Officer Blassingame and other USCP officers with their fists and weapons,” according to the trial, led by Washington-based lawyer Patrick Malone. “Among the weapons that Officer Blassingame could see were masts like the ones he had seen on D Street early in the morning; Bottles of water; bottles of other unknown liquids; parts of signs that they tore from the walls of the crypt and the corridor; and flags, masts and rope poles that had been taken from the crypt and other parts of the Capitol building.
“Then a strong wave of insurgents pushed forward and slammed Officer Blassingame against a stone column. He hit his spine and the back of his head and was unable to move, ”the costume continues. “For the first time in his life, people were shouting in his face, calling him a [n——] on several occasions and throughout the attack in the crypt. He has lost count of the many times racial insult has been thrown at him.
After breaking free from the crowd, Blassingame moved to assist with the evacuation of House members to a committee room where they could remain protected until the riot was dispersed. He noted that many people in the room remained maskless despite the Covid threat but that “he had no choice but to stay put” until 7:30 p.m. that evening.
Blassingame was guarding lawmakers when he heard the officer’s gunshot which fatally wounded rioter Ashli Babbitt. At the moment, he said it was not clear if this was the start of a new wave of violence that would force him to draw his gun.
“The weight on Officer Blassingame was heavy and omnipresent,” the prosecution continues. “He couldn’t sleep and he couldn’t talk about what had happened, even with his wife and friends. He suffered from a depression that he could not cure because he was too absorbed in the feeling of obligation to continue with his professional responsibilities.
Hemby, stationed on the eastern front of the Capitol, was positioned at the top of the steps outside the rotunda when the crowd approached and challenged the officers to join them or to withdraw.
“Officer Hemby was attacked relentlessly. He was bleeding from a cut within an inch of his eye. He had cuts and grazes on his face and hands and his body was stuck against a large metal door, repelling attacks, ”according to the costume. “His main goal was to survive and just go home.”
Hemby, according to the costume, was unable to get medical attention until 9 p.m. that evening.
“As a result of the attack, Constable Hemby’s left hand and left knee became swollen and painful. He was sprayed on his face and body with chemical sprays. His back and neck hurt and his skin was burning, ”he says. “Officer Hemby is in the care of an orthopedic specialist and receives physical therapy two to three days a week for his neck and back. He continues to sleep poorly and feels hyper-conscious and on high alert during his waking hours.
In claiming damages, Malone points to comments from lawmakers – including Republicans like Rep. Liz Cheney and GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell – who blame the Jan.6 uprising squarely on Trump. McConnell in particular said in a ground speech that Trump could be held legally responsible for inciting the riot.
“President Trump is still responsible for everything he did while in office, as an ordinary citizen, unless the statute of limitations has expired, still responsible for everything he did while he was in power, nothing has succeeded yet – yet, ”McConnell said at the time. “We have a criminal justice system in this country. We have civil disputes. And past presidents are not immune to being held accountable by either. “
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