UNITED STATES: Following Proud Boys’ convictions for their participation in the uprisings at the US Capitol on January 6, five members of the far-right group, which would include their former leader Enrique Tarrio, presently face long prison sentences.
Members of the Proud Boys Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, and Zachary Rehl were also found guilty of seditious conspiracy in addition to Tarrio. One of the five accused, Dominic Pezzola, who did not have a position of leadership within the Proud Boys, was cleared of the accusation.
After a protracted trial that lasted nearly four months, or more than twice as long as anticipated, a mistrial was declared on all ten accusations brought against the individuals.
Gavin McInnes, a Vice co-founder who left the company to start a career as a right-wing commentator and podcaster, formed The Proud Boys in New York City in 2016.
Following the 2020 election, The Proud Boys, ardent Donald Trump supporters, paraded several times in Washington, DC, frequently squaring off against the far anti-fascists when Congress was presumed to have reached a climax, confirming the election results, on January 6, 2021, their protests.
All five of the accused persons were found guilty of restricting government administration along with other felonies, and four of them obtained seditious conspiracy indictments. The most severe offences can result in years of imprisonment. Sentences of up to two decades in prison. The all-male, extreme far-right group engaged in the Capitol riot with more than 100 others.
Henry “Enrique” Tarrio, the former head of Proud Boy, wasn’t in Washington on that day, unlike his co-defendants.
Several death threats were given by the Proud Boys on social media. Tarrio wrote in November 2020, in context to a post by Joe Biden, “YOU need to remember the American people are at war with YOU. No Trump, No peace. No quarter.”
Apparently, Tarrio, who was an informant of the police, was in contact with the Washington DC police before January 6, who had conveyed to the group the day’s plans.
The long and complex jury selection process, defence lawyers’ motions for mistrial, numerous disagreements over the legitimacy of pieces of information, witnesses and others and fears about potential juror intimidation all contributed significantly to the trial’s postponement.
Also Read: US Capitol Attack Finds Four Oath Keepers Guilty of Seditious Conspiracy
