Zachery Wilson from Missouri was the first rioter to have plead guilty to a felony and receive his sentence. In the process, Wilson’s attorney asked that Wilson serve no time in jail (Sentences under a year generally are served in county jails), while prosecutors sought 18 months in prison, a stiff term for a first time offender who committed what is not seen as a traditional violent felony, trespassing and interfering with a Congressional proceeding.

We reported on Saturday that the St. Louis Post-Dispatch issued an editorial demanding that judges throw the book at these defendants as being too dangerous, that the crime committed is far more serious than the charges convey. The judge made some points just prior to sentencing Wilson, to an entirely insufficient eight months.

Judge to Jan 6 defendant Paul Hodgkins: "While on the Senate floor, you carried a large red flag.. walked among the desks on Senate floor and took selfies"

"He actively participated in an event"
"Members of the US Congress were forced to flee…."

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 19, 2021

The joy with which these people violently overtook Congress will end up hurting all rioters facing sentencing. Many of them looked like they were amusing themselves, not appreciated the danger and seriousness of what they were doing.

The judge continued to note the seriousness of what happened in preparation and justification for the sentence to be imposed.

Judge says the evacuation of Members of Congress is an extraordinary event… as he tees up his sentence in this Jan 6 case

"Delaying a solemn act"

"Mr Hodgkins did not like what Congress was about to do"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 19, 2021

Committing a crime because one doesn’t like the results of an election, or doesn’t like the vote Congress is about to take is clearly unacceptable and without a serious sentence, others may believe it can be done without serious consequences.

WOW, the judge then said that the events make democracy itself harder for our children and grandchildren – which is absolutely true, but something that might not even be in the record as argued by prosecutors.

BOOM. Judge says Jan 6 makes it more difficult for our children and grandchildren to maintain democracy

Says things are now harder than they were seven months ago

And he's tying Hodgkins to this…. standby

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 19, 2021

As judges do, the judge then weighed mitigating factors:

Judge: "The fact that Mr. Hodgkins did not engage in incendiary behavior on social media"… weighs in his favor

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 19, 2021

Judge says credit for not spreading a message on social media but then says January 6th will stain the country for a long time to come.

The judge then waved away the first-time offender argument, noting that the judge must deter future similar conduct. The judge also cited the fact that Hodgkins brought goggles, proving he was ready for mayhem and it was obvious that he was prepared to engage the riot and rush to the Capitol:

Judge: I believe that what happened was an "aberration" in Paul Hodgkins life. "But I have to deter others from ever, ever, ever (engaging) again in what happened" on Jan 6"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 19, 2021

And then the huge disappointment. Eight months in jail:

Judge: I believe that what happened was an "aberration" in Paul Hodgkins life. "But I have to deter others from ever, ever, ever (engaging) again in what happened" on Jan 6"

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) July 19, 2021

This is a horrific start in the sentencing of the rioters, though Hodgkins was credited for pleading first. Highly disappointing. The prosecution asked for 18 months, the probation and parole service recommended 15 months, and Hodgkins’ attorney recommended no time served.

Overall a huge disappointment to many.

https://twitter.com/mackatraz/status/1417157981540601858

Way to send a “strong message”. 🙄 https://t.co/EpaMdqqWQ9

— American girl in Portugal 💛 (@thedopebohemian) July 19, 2021

https://twitter.com/ecrire831/status/1417157918202351630

I'm not okay with this… not nearly. Any ideas for how we save our country, Patriots, because apparently the three branches of our gov't have rolled over so the powerful can scratch their stomachs. https://t.co/pXVa9MTBTU

— deanne wilsted🧡 (@dwilsted) July 19, 2021

Smh. Fucking justice system https://t.co/8kVFNKWPbO

— Julez Shepptana (@Shepptar) July 19, 2021

I KNEW the judge was going to do this. I KNEW IT! 8 months? Really? That's going to deter others from inciting an insurrection & being pawns of a seditious conspiracy?! White man's world simply won't hold their own accountable. https://t.co/p17lJ1JpXA

— Oeishik🎱 (@NoOneUnscripted) July 19, 2021

It is insufficient given the seriousness of the crime. One might blame the prosecutors for not charging him with a more serious crime, but the judge did not have to split the baby, either.

Terribly disappointing.

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