Christopher Grider said he came to Washington on Jan. 6 with no intention of rioting. But he got caught up in the mob of angry supporters of then-President Donald Trump as they surged into the U.S. Capitol, breaking through police barriers and smashing through doors.
It wasn’t his fault, he said, that he ended up inside the building with a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag around his neck as lawmakers ran for their lives.
Grider, 39, a winery owner and former school teacher in Texas is among at least a dozen Capitol riot defendants identified by The Associated Press who have claimed their presence in the building was a result of being “caught up” in the hysteria of the crowd or that they were pushed inside by sheer force.
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Hundreds of Trump supporters broke through police barricades and overwhelmed officers, violently shoving their way into the building to chants of “Hang Mike Pence” and “Stop the Steal.”
Some came prepared with pepper spray, baseball bats and other weapons. More than 400 people have been charged; it’s the largest prosecution in the Justice Department’s history.
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Judges typically don’t let defendants assert at trial that outside influences, be it drugs or peer pressure, made them act as they did. Most judges would reject efforts by rioters’ lawyers to use any iteration of a blame-the-crowd defense, legal experts say.
“Even though I’m a criminal defense attorney, it sounds like a desperation move,” said Miami lawyer Joel Hirschhorn, insisting that would-be rioters who traveled long distances to Washington had to understand what they might be getting into.
“It’s sort of like, ‘The devil made me do it.’ Come on.”
I often wonder how many people turn to social media simply because no one they actually know agrees with them, thus forcing them to find approval and validation on line.
I seem to recall that at one time this strip ventured into humor now and then, and sometimes explored real situations instead of presenting a series of half-assed tableaus that illustrate profound sentiments like “Can’t we just get along?” and “I hate Mondays!” and “We should listen to the wisdom of the Clinton Cash people.”
ImDaRealAni over 3 years ago
If you say one thing too much on the internet, it will basically follow your online identity for eternity.
braindead Premium Member over 3 years ago
If social media can get rid of the LIES, much of the conflict would decrease.
Of course, that would eliminate posts by most of a certain party.
Sanspareil over 3 years ago
Carmen should join Bucky Cat’s “Anti Social Network”
It may be all that she needs!!
Back to Big Mike over 3 years ago
I’m almost there. As soon as great grandkid number three pops out, the only posts I’ll be making are on webcomics.
Christopher Shea over 3 years ago
Oh, hey, look, we’re back to “Everyone is mean and I am the only truly reasonable person.”
Silly Season over 3 years ago
Christopher Grider said he came to Washington on Jan. 6 with no intention of rioting. But he got caught up in the mob of angry supporters of then-President Donald Trump as they surged into the U.S. Capitol, breaking through police barriers and smashing through doors.
It wasn’t his fault, he said, that he ended up inside the building with a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag around his neck as lawmakers ran for their lives.
Grider, 39, a winery owner and former school teacher in Texas is among at least a dozen Capitol riot defendants identified by The Associated Press who have claimed their presence in the building was a result of being “caught up” in the hysteria of the crowd or that they were pushed inside by sheer force.
✁
Hundreds of Trump supporters broke through police barricades and overwhelmed officers, violently shoving their way into the building to chants of “Hang Mike Pence” and “Stop the Steal.”
Some came prepared with pepper spray, baseball bats and other weapons. More than 400 people have been charged; it’s the largest prosecution in the Justice Department’s history.
✁
Judges typically don’t let defendants assert at trial that outside influences, be it drugs or peer pressure, made them act as they did. Most judges would reject efforts by rioters’ lawyers to use any iteration of a blame-the-crowd defense, legal experts say.
“Even though I’m a criminal defense attorney, it sounds like a desperation move,” said Miami lawyer Joel Hirschhorn, insisting that would-be rioters who traveled long distances to Washington had to understand what they might be getting into.
“It’s sort of like, ‘The devil made me do it.’ Come on.”
~
https://apnews.com/article/dc-wire-michael-pence-donald-trump-capitol-siege-government-and-politics-6434e5ba1e5d762be91dc971706dd0b9
Bookworm over 3 years ago
I often wonder how many people turn to social media simply because no one they actually know agrees with them, thus forcing them to find approval and validation on line.
Phrosty12Oaks over 3 years ago
I’m with you Carmen, I don’t venture anywhere near those places anymore. The loss of the emotional agitation and blackmail is a relief.
stevie44 over 3 years ago
Just do it…..you’ll be much happier.
Kip W over 3 years ago
I seem to recall that at one time this strip ventured into humor now and then, and sometimes explored real situations instead of presenting a series of half-assed tableaus that illustrate profound sentiments like “Can’t we just get along?” and “I hate Mondays!” and “We should listen to the wisdom of the Clinton Cash people.”
davesteele6239 over 3 years ago
Try. Leaving all media and life will be better for all around you!
ferddo over 3 years ago
Do it! You’ll feel much better after you quit subjecting yourself to all that noise.
Plods with ...™ over 3 years ago
Stantis is retiring?
Radish... over 3 years ago
Social media is rejecting you.
wsedrel Premium Member over 3 years ago
Which side has a corner on lying?
Kip W over 3 years ago
Which side has a corner on asking who has a corner on lying?
Nantucket Premium Member over 3 years ago
This video of dogs and a gate has been compared to social media interaction versus in-person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRj_cKWo1-Q
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member over 3 years ago
More like antisocial media.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 3 years ago
Of course you have control over your self here.
rossevrymn over 3 years ago
wah