Storming of the Capitol | A participant sentenced to more than four years in prison

(Washington) A former U.S. Army soldier who was court-martialed for fatally shooting a handcuffed civilian in Iraq two decades ago was sentenced Monday to more than four years in prison for his role in the assault on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021.

Edward Richmond Jr., 41, of Geismar, Louisiana, attacked police officers with a metal telescopic baton during the riot. Before sentencing on Monday, he told the court that he immediately regretted his “stupid” and “thoughtless” actions that day, this “bloody attack”.

District of Columbia Judge John Bates later sentenced him to four years and three months in prison. The magistrate found that Richmond appeared to sincerely regret having participated in one of the most violent episodes of the assault on the Capitol — a clash between rioters and outnumbered police officers in an entrance to the building.

More than 1,500 people have been charged with various federal crimes stemming from this assault on the Capitol. More than 650 defendants were sentenced to prison terms ranging from a few days to 22 years.

Many defendants have asked judges to put their cases on hold until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, citing the Republican nominee’s campaign promise to pardon supporters who stormed the Capitol immediately after his rally near the White House on January 6, 2021 to denounce “electoral theft”. Judges generally rejected these requests.

Richmond did not request that his sentencing be postponed. His lawyer, John McLindon, said after the hearing that such a request seemed like a “waste of time.”

Prosecutors had recommended a prison sentence of five years and three months for Richmond. His sentence will be reduced by approximately nine months to take into account the time spent in preventive detention since his arrest.

Military equipment

Richmond wore a military-style helmet, goggles and other tactical gear when he attended President Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally near the White House on January 6, 2021. After marching to the Capitol, he joined other rioters in a push against police officers who were guarding the entrance to an access tunnel to the building.

Richmond attacked police officers with a telescopic metal baton, striking their shields. Before leaving, he passed a plank of wood to the rioters to use against the police. He also took office furniture out of a broken window.

Arrested last January, he pleaded guilty in August to an assault charge.

Richmond was 20 when a military court convicted him of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced him to three years in military detention for killing a handcuffed Iraqi civilian near Taal Al Jai in February 2004. He was dismissed from the army for dishonor.

The army said Richmond used a rifle to kill Muhamad Husain Kadir, shooting him in the head from about two meters away, after the Iraqi farmer stumbled. At sentencing Monday, Richmond told the judge it was a superior officer who told him to shoot the man if he moved again. “It was a mistake,” Richmond said. A young soldier’s mistake. »