From the BBC:
“Capitol riot: 'QAnon Shaman'
Jacob Chansley sentenced to 41 months in prison”
A prominent supporter of the
baseless QAnon conspiracy has been sentenced to 41 months in prison for his
involvement in the US Capitol riot. Jacob Anthony Chansley was among the Trump
supporters who tried to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential
election on 6 January. He earlier pleaded guilty to one felony count of
obstruction in an official proceeding.
His sentence is among the longest
so far given in connection to the riots. In addition to his prison sentence,
Chansley was sentenced to 36 months of supervised release and must pay $100
(£74) in restitution. The 34-year-old became one of the most recognisable
figures from the siege after being pictured wearing horns and a bearskin
headdress, with a US flag painted on his face. He referred to himself as
"the QAnon Shaman". Followers of the QAnon conspiracy theory believe
that former President Donald Trump was waging a secret war against a cabal of
Satan-worshipping paedophiles in government, business and the media. Following
his arrest, Chansley told the FBI that he came to DC in January "at the
request of the president" that all "patriots" come to the city.
In court on Wednesday, Chansley
said he wants to "evolve" and was "wrong for entering the
Capitol". "I have no excuse," he said. He also said has been
asking himself "what would Jesus do?" and likened himself to Indian
independence leader Mahatma Gandhi, saying: "What if we all judge Gandhi
based on that he beat his wife before his spiritual awakening?" He has
been in custody nearly 11 months since being arrested just days after the riot.
Photographs and videos taken during the riot show Chansley carrying a spear in
the Capitol. Prosecutors also say he led other protesters in prayer at the dais
- a raised platform - and left a note a note threatening former Vice-President
Mike Pence. "It's only a matter of time," the note read.
"Justice is coming!" Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of 51
months in prison, arguing that the government "cannot overstate the
serious" of Chansley's conduct. "His consistent rhetoric before and
after the event, and his apparent ability to carry out his intentions of violently
removing the 'traitors' in our government, is clear from the evidence in this
case," prosecutors said. Chansley now claims to have disavowed Mr Trump
and QAnon. In September, his attorney told the court that his client was
"non-violent, peaceful and possessed of genuine mental health
issues". His 41-month sentence is one of the longest so far doled out to 6
January rioters. Another participant, former mixed martial artist Scott
Fairlam, was also sentenced to 41 months in prison earlier in November for
assaulting a police officer and obstructing an official proceeding.
^ This guy is clearly mentally unstable
and should go to a mental institute after his prison term. I hope all of this
follows this anti-American Traitor – who tried to overthrow the US Government –
for the rest of his life. ^
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