CNN
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In a tense direct exchange with Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, prosecutors used Rhodes’ own words from texts, speeches, and interviews to say the militia leader had no knowledge of the other members. implied to jurors that he misled them when he testified.
Rhodes was the first of five defendants indicted on sedition conspiracy charges in federal court in Washington, DC to testify.
In two days of testimony, Rhodes told jurors he was not involved in the details of the Jan. 6 plan and knew nothing about the group’s plans for a so-called rapid response force in Virginia. rice field. Quickly move weapons to Washington, as prosecutors claimed.
However, prosecutor Kathryn Lacozy showed jurors a signaling message in which Rose told the other members that “we will not release the QRF” on January 6 because “this situation calls for it.” I have,” was part of a group message in which members shared photos of the QRF’s route. You can use it to enter town.
“This operation has lightened your load,” Rakoczy told Rhodes, reading the leader’s message aloud.
“Am I responsible for everything they’ve done?” Rhodes replied.
“You’re in charge, aren’t you?” Rakocch said.
“Not if they’re doing something off-duty,” he retorted.
“Convenient,” Rakocchi said with a smile.
The militia leader also told prosecutors that he wanted to “avoid” conflict and was only worried about a civil war breaking out after Joe Biden took office. [January] 21st instead of 6th? ”
On January 6, Rhodes testified that he “does not condone the violence that has taken place”. “Anyone who assaulted a police officer that day should be prosecuted.”
Rakoczy points to statements made by Rhodes during secretly recorded conversations in the days after January 6, in which he said that if the Oath Keepers brought rifles to the Capitol that day, said good.
“If he wasn’t going to do the right thing and just get taken away illegally, we should have brought the rifle,” Rhodes said in the recording as the prosecutor played for the jury again. rice field.
“I could have fixed it right there and then,” Rhodes said of the attack on the Capitol, according to the recording. “I will hang King Pelosi on a lamppost.”
After playing the recording, Rakoczy asked Rhodes.
“Yeah, after a few drinks, I got pissed off,” Rhodes testified.
Rhodes and four other defendants have pleaded not guilty to sedition conspiracy charges.
