The man who was seen putting his feet on the table of mayor Nancy Pelosi during the Capitol rebellion on January 6, had an explosion in federal court on Thursday because of his continued detention.
Richard Barnett reportedly yelled at Judge Christopher R. Cooper during a virtual hearing where it was determined that he would remain in detention until at least his next hearing in May. He yelled at Cooper that “it was not fair” for him to remain in prison while others were released, according to Scott MacFarlane of NBC Washington.
“All the other people who have done much worse are already at home,” said Barnett. He later added: “I have been here for a month, they will set this up for another month and everyone will leave.”
Joseph D. McBride, Barnett’s lawyer, denied allegations that his client’s explosion was directed at Cooper.
“Sir. Barnett’s frustration comes from the fact that he is in prison before the trial, despite having no criminal record, having a paid job, being respected in his community and having a stable relationship for more than 20 years,” said McBride in a statement to NBC News. “Usually, facts like these are more than enough for an individual to fight for his outside cause.”
McBride added that the lack of personal communication due to the coronavirus restrictions placed on the hearing hampered his ability to explain the court proceedings to Barnett.
“The absence of our presence, coupled with Mr. Barnett’s inability to immediately understand the purpose of the May 4 postponement, is what he considered unfair,” said McBride.
The US District Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia did not immediately respond to a request for comment at Thursday’s NBC News hearing.
Barnett was taken into custody in his home state of Arkansas in January on federal charges of entering and staying in restricted areas, violent entry and theft of public property. He was also accused of interrupting official procedures, disturbing and disorderly conduct and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building, according to court records.
Images of Barnett reclining in Pelosi’s chair with his feet up on her desk were widely shared and quickly became synonymous with the attack on the United States Capitol. Barnett later spoke to a New York Times reporter, who tweeted about the exchange after the incident at Pelosi’s office.
He told the Times that he took an envelope from Pelosi’s table and left her 25 cents in return, although “it is not worth it”.
Barnett also said he politely knocked on the California Democrat’s office door, but was taken inside by other protesters who had violated the Capitol. He said he left a “nasty note” too, using a bad word to refer to Pelosi.
“I will probably tell them that this is what happened until DC’s arrest,” he added.