Jacob Chansley, “Q-Anon Shaman” Gets Longest Sentence Of Any Capitol Rioter So Far
Jacob Chansley, the man who became an icon of the January 6th attack on the Capitol Building thanks to his unique headdress and clothing, will spend more than another two years in prison, after his sentencing Wednesday.
The Washington Post reports that the sentence handed down Wednesday was for a total of 41 months in prison, or almost three-and-a-half years total. One other participant in the attack has received the same sentence length — his charges included punching a Capitol officer. While the government had requested the maximum time for Chansley, which would have been 51 months, his attorney argued that he has been punished enough with the time he’s already served.
Law & Crime reporter Adam Klasfeld, live-tweeting the sentencing hearing, shared other tidbits, including that Chansley gave a long speech in court, acknowledging his guilt, and that U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth said that the defendant could not be let off lightly, because, “What you did here is horrific.”
Chansley: "I was wrong for entering the Capitol. I have no excuse, no excuse whatsoever," calling his behavior "indefensible."
"I am not an insurrectionist. I am certainly not a domestic terrorist. I am a good man who broke the law."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) November 17, 2021
Chansley swears what he calls a "holy oath":
"I will never re-offend ever again, and I will always from hereon forward think of the ramifications of what I do."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) November 17, 2021
Judge Lamberth praises Chansley's remarks as, in the judge's words, reminiscent of MLK's. But he adds:
"What you did was terrible. You made yourself the epitome of the riot."
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) November 17, 2021
Chansley has made media appearances through his attorney, and has continued to make headlines during his prison time through such acts as demanding a special diet (which he was granted) and seeking a pardon from Donald Trump (which he was not granted). Earlier this year, Reuters reported that a judge had ordered a mental health evaluation on the man, who had been seen in his ‘shaman’ gear at previous protests and events. The evaluation was to determine whether Chansley was competent to stand trial, including his ability to understand the charges and assist in his own defense.
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