Jan. 6 Rioter Who Sat At Pelosi’s Desk Convicted On All Charges

The Capitol rioter who was photographed with his feet on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s (D-California) desk was convicted on eight charges.

The charges included disorderly conduct while carrying a dangerous weapon, mail theft and obstruction of an official proceeding. So far, federal prosecutors have secured full or partial sentences for all January 6 rioters who have appeared in court.

The jury deliberated for less than three hours to convict Richard “Bigo” Barnett, 62, who walked into the Capitol on January 6, 2021, with a 950,000-volt stun gun. He became one of the most recognizable faces from the riot, partly because he admitted to a reporter shortly after leaving the Capitol that he had left a note in Pelosi’s office that read, “Nancy, Bigo was here you biatch.”

During the trial, he said that he got caught up “in the moment,” and said he was pushed into the Capitol by other rioters. Barnett claimed that he was looking for a restroom when he came across Pelosi’s office and only stole the piece of mail because he had bled on it and he believed it was a “biohazard.” He maintained that his actions were a result of being maced and being angry toward the police outside of the Capitol. He never used his stun gun.

He also claimed that he was not given a fair trial after the jury came to a verdict arguing that the jury was not made up of his “peers.”

Barnett’s lawyer, Joe McBride, said that Barnett plans to appeal.

Article by Rose Carter