- QAnon Shaman lost his most recent attempt to get out of prison before his trial.
- New court documents released on Monday argue that Jacob Chansley remains a risk and danger of flight.
- A judge said Chansley’s “60 Minutes” interview proved that he did not appreciate the severity of his accusations.
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More than two months after the Capitol’s deadly uprising, a judge believes that the self-styled QAnon Shaman, Jacob Chansley, has not yet learned his lesson.
The infamous horned Capitol participant in the siege lost his last pre-trial release motion on Monday, according to new court documents that reject Chansley’s claims that he was a peaceful participant in the fatal siege.
Earlier this month, Chansley gave his first prison interview since his arrest to CBS News’ “60 Minutes +”, telling correspondent Laurie Segall that he did not consider his participation in the insurrection an attack on the United States.
—CBS This Morning (@CBSThisMorning) March 4, 2021
But Chansley’s appearance on television seems to have backfired. Judge Royce Lamberth cited the interview in his Monday decision.
“The statements [Chansley] made the prison public show that [he] does not fully assess the seriousness of the charges against him, “wrote Lamberth.” On the contrary, he believes that he – not the American people or members of Congress – was the victim on January 6. “
In the interview, Chansley said he regretted entering the Capitol building illegally, but said he found the move “acceptable” because the police “waved” to protesters in – a claim that prosecutors were unable to confirm, according to court records.
Once inside the building, Chansley told Segall that his actions were “peaceful” and “calm”. The 33-year-old man said he “sang a song” inside the chamber and even “prevented someone from stealing muffins from the break room”.
But the legal documents argue that Chansley’s description of events is a mischaracterization of the role he played that day.
“[Chansley’s] the perception of his actions on January 6 as peaceful, benign and well-intentioned shows a departure from reality “, said Lamberth in the decision.
Chansley is currently in prison in Washington, DC, facing six charges and up to twenty years in prison for his participation in the riot. In addition to illegally breaking in as one of the first rioters to breach the Capitol, court records say Chansley also clashed with Capitol police, entered the Senate chamber and left a note on the dais of then Vice President Mike Pence saying “it’s just a matter of time, justice is coming.”
He later told FBI agents that Pence was a “child traitor traitor”, referring to a QAnon conspiracy theory, while Chansley’s lawyer, Al Watkins, argued in a pre-trial release request. that his client’s note to Pence used words that came directly from former President Donald Trump and were not intended to be a threat to Pence.
Supporters of U.S. President Donald Trump, including Jake Angeli (C), a QAnon supporter known for his painted face and horned hat, enter the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, in Washington, DC. – Protesters breached security and entered the Capitol while Congress debated the Electoral Vote Certification of the 2020 presidential election.
SAUL LOEB / AFP via Getty Images
In the aftermath of the Capitol siege, Chansley became an open critic of Trump, blaming the former president for his participation in the riot, and even offering to testify against Trump in his impeachment trial. Although last week, Chansley told CBS News that he did not regret his loyalty to Trump.
As an increasing number of jailed Capitol mobsters turn against the former president, Lamberth’s decision on Monday suggests that shifting the blame to Trump may not be an infallible defense.
“If [Chansley] really believes that the only reason he participated in an attack on the U.S. Capitol was to comply with President Trump’s orders, it shows [his] inability (or refusal) to exercise their independent judgment and conform their behavior to the law, “said Lamberth.
Although Chansley has no criminal record, his “blatant disregard” for the law on January 6 makes him a danger to the public and the weight of evidence against him, including photos and videos of him inside the Capitol, “increases the risk that he will run away. “argued Lamberth.
Court documents also cited Chansley’s drug use and “willingness to lie about drug use” as further examples of his “willingness to openly violate the law”.
According to legal documents, Chansley told pretrial services that he used marijuana three times a week and no other drugs. Still, Chansley said he used psychoactive substances and mushrooms as part of his “shamanic practice” in his podcast.
Lamberth also rejected Chansley’s pre-trial release request that the COVID-19 restrictions made the consultation “meaningful and unmonitored” with his lawyer “impossible”.
The judge said the problem is not that Watkins is unable to meet with his client, but that when he does, he “wastes” his time by focusing on the media and preparing for the interview.
“These media appearances undoubtedly lead to the defense attorney’s fame,” wrote Lamberth. “But they do not lead to an argument that the only way in which the defense attorney could communicate privately with his client would be if the defendant were temporarily released.”