By MICHAEL KUNZELMAN - Associated Press WASHINGTON — An Ohio man who testified that he was “following presidential orders” from Donald Trump when he stormed the U.S. Capitol was convicted Thursday of obstructing Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory.
People are also reading… Jurors heard attorneys' closing arguments in the trial of Dustin Byron Thompson, who is charged with obstructing Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s 2020 electoral victory and stealing a coat rack from a Capitol office during the riot on Jan. 6 of last year. Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky said Thompson hasn't avoided taking responsibility for his conduct that day.But he said Thompson, unemployed and consumed by a steady diet of conspiracy theories, was vulnerable to Trump's lies about a stolen election. He described Thompson as a “pawn” and Trump as a “gangster” who abused his power to manipulate supporters.Thompson’s jury trial is the third among hundreds of Capitol riot cases prosecuted by the U.S. Justice Department.
Thompson, who testified on Wednesday, admitted that he joined the mob’s attack and stole the coat rack and a bottle of bourbon from the Senate parliamentarian’s office. He said he regretted his “disgraceful” behavior. Thompson is charged with six counts: obstructing Congress’ joint session to certify the Electoral College vote, theft of government property, entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly or disruptive conduct in a Capitol building, and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
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