WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal choose on Tuesday convicted an elected official from New Mexico of illegally coming into restricted U.S. Capitol grounds however acquitted him of partaking in disorderly conduct throughout the riot that disrupted Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s presidential election victory.
U.S. District Courtroom Choose Trevor McFadden heard at some point of testimony with out a jury on Monday earlier than handing down a verdict within the misdemeanor case towards Otero County Commissioner Couy Griffin, a 48-year-old former rodeo rider who helped discovered a bunch referred to as Cowboys for Trump.
McFadden, an appointee of then-President Donald Trump, stated there was ample proof that Griffin knew he was in a restricted space and didn’t go away. Griffin crossed over three partitions, needing assist from others or a ladder to recover from them, the choose famous.
“All of this could recommend to a standard individual that maybe you shouldn’t be coming into the world,” McFadden stated from the bench.
However the choose stated prosecutors didn’t meet their burden to show that Griffin engaged in disorderly conduct.
“Arguably, he was making an attempt to calm individuals down, not rile them up,” he stated.
Griffin’s trial in Washington, D.C., was the second among the many a whole bunch of federal circumstances arising from the Jan. 6, 2021, siege. Earlier this month, within the first trial, a jury convicted a Texas man, Man Wesley Reffitt, of storming the Capitol with a holstered handgun, interfering with police and obstructing Congress’ joint session to certify the Electoral School vote.
The end result of Griffin’s trial may have a ripple impact, serving to different Capitol riot defendants determine whether or not to let a choose or a jury determine their case.
However the case towards Griffin is not like most Jan. 6 circumstances and is probably not a bellwether for defendants who’re charged with storming the Capitol.
Griffin is among the few riot defendants who wasn’t accused of coming into the Capitol constructing or partaking in any violent or damaging habits. His legal professionals argued that he was selectively prosecuted for his political beliefs.
Griffin was charged with two misdemeanors: coming into and remaining in a restricted constructing or grounds and disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted constructing or grounds. Each carry most sentences of 1 yr imprisonment.
Griffin is scheduled to be sentenced on June 17.
