US Capitol riot: Proud Boys’ Henry Terrio and Joe Biggs face up to 33 years in prison

Washington: 6 January 2021 is remembered as a black day in American history, the day rioters stormed the Capitol building to protest the results of the presidential election. According to a Washington Post report, the US Attorney has now sought a 33-year sentence for Joe Biggs, former president and leader of the ‘Proud Boys’ organization, Henry ‘Enrique’ Terrio in connection with the case. Not only this, two to three decades in jail has also been demanded for other top members of the far-right extremist outfit.

According to the report, Assistant US Attorneys Jason McCullough and Connor Mulroe wrote, ‘The defendants’ plot was colossal, the defendants struck at the heart of our democracy and organized and directed an army of approximately 200 people, one of the most brutal crimes in American history. Cannot be compared. He said that the ‘Proud Boys’ leaders are deliberately putting themselves at the forefront of this political violence in the country.

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Why did the prosecution demand severe punishment?
Prosecutors sought a stiffer sentence from a US district judge in the case, to set a precedent for future perpetrators of such violence. This is the longest sentence ever demanded for terrorism and attacks on police. Later this month, the ‘Proud Boys’ leader will be the first to be punished for inciting the riots. Because former President Donald Trump was federally indicted for the attack. In fact, lawyers said this attack on American democracy was motivated by Trump’s lies. According to prosecutors, the attack came after Trump called on his supporters to march on the Capitol and overturn the results of the November 2020 election.

What did the defense say?
Prosecutors asked the court to sentence Terrio and his top lieutenants to more than the combined sentences, to which the defense said there was no evidence that Terrio was directed to enter the Capitol and commit violence. Lawyer Naib Hasan wrote, ‘Tario Washington D.C. I was not even present at the scene; He did not instruct his fellow Proud Boys members or anyone else to attack people or destroy any government property that day. Not only this, the defense also mentioned Tario’s past social works and his dedication to the law. The defense also argued that the defendants were not terrorists, but misguided patriots who delayed the counting of congressional votes by several hours, which Trump claimed was influenced by the vote.

Terrio was not present at the Capitol, but responsible
Terrio and his fellow Proud Boys were the last 14 members of the Proud Boys to be convicted of capital violations, with approximately 1,100 people detained and nearly 700 convicted. Stuart Rhodes, founder and leader of Terrio and Oath Keepers, was sentenced in May to 18 years in prison, the longest sentence for the attack. He was the highest profile figure in the siege of the Capitol.

Significantly, Terrio was the first person to plead guilty to the crime even though he was not present at the Capitol. He was spotted in Baltimore after being dismissed pending trial for burning a stolen Black Lives Matter flag at a Trump rally in Washington, D.C., the day before, the government alleges.

What was the case of the capital riots?
The group’s leaders have been convicted of violently opposing the US government, including the constitutionally mandated transfer of presidential power. In fact, after Donald Trump’s comment during the October 2020 presidential debate, ‘Stand back and stand up, boys of pride’, many people took part and public interest in it increased. After outrage erupted in support of the remarks, Trump slammed the Pride Boys, saying he “doesn’t know much” about them.

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Tags: America, Donald Trump, USA