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(CNN) A federal judge on Tuesday found Couy Griffin, a founder of Cowboys for Trump and the second January 6 defendant to go on trial as part of the Justice Department's massive prosecution, guilty of trespassing on US Capitol grounds while Vice President Mike Pence was there.
Griffin, a conspiracy theorist who also serves as a county commissioner in New Mexico, was acquitted of a second misdemeanor charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct. Griffin argued that he led others in prayer at the Capitol that day.
Judge Trevor McFadden issued the ruling after a sometimes-contentious bench trial that began Monday and ended midday Tuesday. Griffin faces a potential fine, probation or jail time up to one year after being found guilty of entering and remaining in a restricted area.
After the verdict, Griffin told reporters outside the courthouse that he didn't want to go to jail but continued to peddle the false conspiracy theory that January 6 was a set-up by the US government.
The Justice Department has charged nearly 800 defendants in the attack on the Capitol, securing guilty pleas from almost one-third of that group, and Griffin's trial shows what January 6 defendants may contend with when taking their cases to trial, including extensive video and other evidence.
McFadden noted Griffin's comments in videos after the riot when he acknowledged the area he entered was restricted. McFadden also pointed out that Griffin likely saw the barriers outside the Capitol and signs marking restricted areas while recording a video in front of the Capitol on January 5.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/22/politics/couy-griffin-verdict-january-6-trial/index.html
Griffin, a conspiracy theorist who also serves as a county commissioner in New Mexico, was acquitted of a second misdemeanor charge of disorderly and disruptive conduct. Griffin argued that he led others in prayer at the Capitol that day.
Judge Trevor McFadden issued the ruling after a sometimes-contentious bench trial that began Monday and ended midday Tuesday. Griffin faces a potential fine, probation or jail time up to one year after being found guilty of entering and remaining in a restricted area.
After the verdict, Griffin told reporters outside the courthouse that he didn't want to go to jail but continued to peddle the false conspiracy theory that January 6 was a set-up by the US government.
The Justice Department has charged nearly 800 defendants in the attack on the Capitol, securing guilty pleas from almost one-third of that group, and Griffin's trial shows what January 6 defendants may contend with when taking their cases to trial, including extensive video and other evidence.
McFadden noted Griffin's comments in videos after the riot when he acknowledged the area he entered was restricted. McFadden also pointed out that Griffin likely saw the barriers outside the Capitol and signs marking restricted areas while recording a video in front of the Capitol on January 5.
https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/22/politics/couy-griffin-verdict-january-6-trial/index.html
