Alleged rioter Dustin Thompson took the stand in his trial on Wednesday and instructed a Washington, D.C., jury that he believed he had acquired "presidential orders" to go to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
"Moreover being ordered by the President to go to the Capitol, I do not know what I used to be pondering," Thompson instructed the jury. "I used to be caught up within the second."
Thompson has contested virtually none of what the federal government alleged he did on the Capitol: breaking into the Senate parliamentarian's workplace twice, stealing a bottle of bourbon and a coat rack, watching one of the crucial violent scenes of the riot unfold after which fleeing from a Capitol Police officer trying to query to him.
As an alternative, Thompson has claimed that he believed he was appearing on the behest of then-U.S. President Donald Trump, who instructed the group at a rally that afternoon to march to the Capitol and "combat like hell." The trial is a serious check of that defence, which dozens of riot suspects have adopted thus far, and will affect how others argue in courtroom.
Thompson's defence lawyer had beforehand requested Choose Reggie Walton, who's presiding over the case, for permission to ask the previous President to testify through the trial. Walton denied that request, saying, "I do not suppose we wish people to really feel they'll take heed to anyone and exit and commit a prison act."
Throughout his testimony, Thompson stated he had been laid off from his job as an exterminator at first of the coronavirus pandemic. He stated he was "remoted" and "caught at residence," and ultimately "fell down the rabbit gap" into on-line conspiracy theories
When Joe Biden took the lead within the 2020 presidential election, Thompson testified, he "did not suppose it was attainable" and believed Trump when the then-President claimed the election had been stolen. Over the following weeks, Thompson's embrace of conspiracy theories grew stronger, he instructed the jury, and he determined to attend the January 6 rally after Trump tweeted about it.
Thompson stated he had listened to each speaker through the "Cease the Steal" rally that served as a prelude to the riot and that the audio system had relitigated allegations of fraud.
Thompson testified that after a 12 months with out work, he had felt good when Trump instructed the group they had been "stronger" and "smarter" than anyone. He then went to the Capitol, Thompson stated, as a result of he "felt like I needed to do one thing to achieve his respect, his approval."
Justice Division attorneys sought to undercut Thompson's argument by portraying the 38-year-old defendant as an grownup who could make his personal selections.
Prosecutor William Dreher requested Thompson whether or not "on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021, you bought your self dressed, all by your self" and if "nobody instructed you what to put on?"
"Sure," Thompson responded. He additionally confirmed he had gotten to courtroom by himself on Wednesday morning.
Dreher additionally argued that Trump wasn't "standing proper there subsequent to" Thompson when he entered the Capitol, nor did the then-President say throughout his speech that day that "it's now authorized to steal from the USA Capitol constructing."
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