Jurors reject array of defenses at Capitol riot trials

[TexasTowelie]

Jurors have heard — and rejected — an array of excuses and arguments from the first rioters to be tried for storming the U.S. Capitol. The next jury to get a Capitol riot case could hear another novel defense this week at the trial of a retired New York City police officer.

Thomas Webster, a 20-year veteran of the NYPD, has claimed he was acting in self-defense when he tackled a police officer who was trying to protect the Capitol from a mob on Jan. 6, 2021. Webster's lawyer also has argued that he was exercising his First Amendment free speech rights when he shouted profanities at police that day.

Webster, 56, will be the fourth Capitol riot defendant to get a jury trial. Each has presented a distinct line of defense.

An Ohio man who stole a coat rack from a Capitol office testified he was “following presidential orders” from Donald Trump. An off-duty police officer from Virginia claimed he only entered the Capitol to retrieve a fellow officer. A lawyer for a Texas man who confronted Capitol police accused prosecutors of rushing to judgment against somebody prone to exaggerating.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/jurors-reject-array-defenses-capitol-riot-trials-84289347

[Emile]

1. There should be a way to take back his police pension!

[Roland99]

2. Guess the only defense left untried is my dog ate my Capitol visitor pass

[smb]

10. Trump Ate My Capitol Visitor Pass nt

[bottomofthehill]

3. Arrest them, bring them to trial, convict and jail for these domestic terrorists.

Fuck them.

[we can do it]

5. Jurors are at their trials🙄

[3Hotdogs]

4. The free speech gambit may get a bit of traction. A Supreme Court case, maybe 20 years ago,

ruled that giving a cop the "finger" was protected. Another case with little relevance here, flashing headlights to warn of a speed trap is speech/communication and is protected.

[localroger]

7. Threatening violence isn't speech, it's assault

Giving the finger isn't a threat of violence. The Capitol rioters threatened violence if the cops didn't get out of their way, then followed through on that threat making it battery. And it's not self defense if you are a part of a group provoking the guards who are trying to defend a public asset from your attack. I would wager a substantial pile of money that they won't even deliberate for every long before finding this idiot guilty on all counts.

[kcr]

9. If you're giving a cop the middle finger

while you're a part of a mob attack, I don't think free speech applies.

[sop]

6. Webster was clearly "in fear for his life" when he tackled that capitol cop in self defense.

Or maybe Webster was just profiling the guy and doing a stop-and-frisk. Old habits die hard.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. To recap

[aeromanKC]

11. Lethal weapon. Listen to the metal on metal whack at 48 seconds

If that's to the head, concussion or worse. Attempted murder or at very least assault with a deadly weapon.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. He was swinging and slamming that pole so much that it apparently broke

but that didn't stop him from acting like a savage thug.

Link from last year - https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/national/capitol-riots/capitol-riot-judge-orders-release-of-ex-nypd-officer-marine-thomas-webster-accused-of-assaulting-police-with-pole-during-capitol-riot/65-3d694a3b-911e-460b-80d7-4800d014a365

[Cha]

13. KR! TY!

💙💛

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

14. I'd like to know exactly how many times these insurrectionists claiming to have been

“following presidential orders,” even though that required them to commit crimes, ever did one damn legal thing President Barack Obama said they should do.