Prosecutors known as their closing witnesses Monday within the trial of Man Reffitt, an alleged participant in final yr’s Capitol riot who authorities say threatened to shoot his own children in the event that they turned him in.
Reffitt, a 49-year-old member of the far-right “Texas Three Percenters” militia group, is the primary particular person to face trial in reference to the occasions of Jan. 6, 2021. He’s charged with bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and interfering with cops guarding the constructing.
Jurors heard Monday from two officers who mentioned they tried to maintain Reffitt from accessing the constructing, in addition to an FBI agent concerned within the investigation.
Reffitt declined to testify in his personal protection.
Fellow Three Percenter Rocky Hardie testified final week that Reffitt mentioned he wished to bodily take away members of Congress from the Capitol and change them with individuals who would “comply with the Structure.”
Hardie informed the courtroom that he thought of Reffitt’s phrases to be “hyperbole” and didn’t assume he would act on them.
Following the riot, authorities say, Reffitt warned his youngsters to not communicate to legislation enforcement about him.
“In case you flip me in, you’re a traitor and what occurs to traitors,” Reffitt mentioned to his son and daughter, based on courtroom papers. “Traitors get shot.”
Reffitt’s 18-year-old son finally tipped the FBI off to his father’s position within the assault.
Reffitt additionally faces fees of obstruction of an official continuing, transporting firearms throughout a civil dysfunction, and obstructing justice.
Greater than 750 folks have been charged with federal crimes associated to the riot. Over 220 riot defendants have pleaded responsible, greater than 100 have been sentenced and a minimum of 90 others have trial dates.
With Put up wires
