Looking for leniency for a January 6 rioter accused of assaulting police, Louisiana Republican Congressman Clay Huggins – himself a former regulation enforcement officer – praised the person’s “good character, religion and fundamental ideas.”
In a video taken through the assault on Congress on January 6, 2021, the rioter is seen saying: “It is going to be violent, and yeah, if you happen to’re asking: ‘Is Ryan Nichols going to come back with violence?’” Sure, Ryan Nichols will deliver the violence.”
In his affidavit, Nichols admitted to posting the video, attacking officers with pepper spray and urging rioters to proceed shouting, together with, “This isn’t a peaceable protest.”
In a Washington courtroom final week, Nichols, of Longview, Texas, pleaded responsible to 2 fees: obstructing and assaulting police, resisting or obstructing police, and obstructing an official continuing.
Greater than 1,000 individuals had been arrested for the assault and a whole lot of convictions had been secured, some for seditious conspiracy. Donald Trump, who incited the riot whereas attempting to overturn his 2020 presidential election defeat to Joe Biden, faces 17 counts of election subversion, 4 on the federal degree and 13 on the state degree in Georgia.
9 deaths have been linked to the assault by supporters of the previous president, together with suicides amongst regulation enforcement forces.
Higgins’s personal web site Describe He described him as having “spent a lot of his profession devoted to uniformed service (as) an Military veteran and regulation enforcement officer.” It additionally says he’s “extensively considered as one of the crucial conservative members of Congress.”
Nonetheless, in a letter dated November 7, he requested the US District Choose in Nichols’ case, Royce C. Lamberth, to point out leniency in sentencing.
“Sir,” Higgins wrote. “I deliver you this letter in help of Ryan Taylor Nichols. He’s a person of excellent character, religion and fundamental ideas.
“I humbly request that he obtain honest consideration of all of the circumstances of his situation, standing and background. “He has already spent almost two years within the District of Columbia Jail on remand, which has been devastating to his bodily points (liver issues) and psychological well being (PTSD).”
Nichols had been below home arrest since Nov. 22, 2022, and “didn’t search to flee and confirmed no indication of harmful exercise,” Higgins stated.
He added: “Previous to his arrest, Mr. Nichols had no felony background and served honorably in the US Marine Corps. He continued to serve regionally in search and rescue, even being publicly acknowledged for his heroic actions on nationwide tv.
Which refers to Nichols Praise Written by Louisiana-raised tv host Ellen DeGeneres – in 2018 – and in relation to his work rescuing individuals and animals stranded by Hurricane Florence.
Nichols has “already paid a heavy value in money and time” for his actions on Jan. 6, Higgins stated.
“His case should be thought of pretty and comprehensively, constant along with his basic constitutional rights.”
No date has been set for sentencing.
