Posted on Jul 4, 2021
Capitol rioters who deleted social media posts of their involvement may have further incriminated...
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Some Capitol rioters who posted images and videos of themselves at the January 6 riot and then deleted them could be in even more legal trouble, the Associated Press reported.
At least 49 people charged in connection with the riots were accused of deleting incriminating content off their social media and phones, the AP found, but only a handful have actually faced charges for tampering with online content.
Experts told the AP, deleting the content shows how desperate the defendants were to manipulate evidence against them once they realized they were in legal trouble and that could make getting a plea deal or any other kind of leniency difficult.
"It makes them look tricky, makes them look sneaky," said Gabriel J. Chin, who teaches criminal law at the University of California, Davis.
On January 6, supporters of former President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol and clashed with law enforcement. The riot resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer.
The AP reported that in one instance, a member of the Oath Keepers, James Breheny, bragged about his involvement in the riot but deleted his Facebook account which held those posts two days later after someone told him to delete all posts tied to the event.
Several Capitol rioters were caught after posting and bragging about their experience on social media. Some posted photos of themselves inside the building, including a man who took a photo at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's desk.
His lawyer, Harley Breite, however, argued that he never obstructed justice because he didn't know when he shut the account down that it could be evidence.
"You can't delete evidence if you don't know you are being charged with anything," Breite said.
At least 49 people charged in connection with the riots were accused of deleting incriminating content off their social media and phones, the AP found, but only a handful have actually faced charges for tampering with online content.
Experts told the AP, deleting the content shows how desperate the defendants were to manipulate evidence against them once they realized they were in legal trouble and that could make getting a plea deal or any other kind of leniency difficult.
"It makes them look tricky, makes them look sneaky," said Gabriel J. Chin, who teaches criminal law at the University of California, Davis.
On January 6, supporters of former President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol and clashed with law enforcement. The riot resulted in the deaths of five people, including a police officer.
The AP reported that in one instance, a member of the Oath Keepers, James Breheny, bragged about his involvement in the riot but deleted his Facebook account which held those posts two days later after someone told him to delete all posts tied to the event.
Several Capitol rioters were caught after posting and bragging about their experience on social media. Some posted photos of themselves inside the building, including a man who took a photo at Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's desk.
His lawyer, Harley Breite, however, argued that he never obstructed justice because he didn't know when he shut the account down that it could be evidence.
"You can't delete evidence if you don't know you are being charged with anything," Breite said.
Capitol rioters who deleted social media posts of their involvement may have further incriminated...
Posted from news.yahoo.com
Social Media
Crime
Washington
Law
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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THEY NEED A FAIR TRIAL AND A THEN A FIRING SQUAD. And yes, I shouted that!!!!!!!!!!!
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Boy, if this isn't a biased article I don't know what is. So much wrong with this. Truly the only person killed as a result of this event was a Veteran shot by an unknown agent of the U.S. Government.
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SGT Patrick Jackson
SPC Cody Verba Sorry Brother, but I walk in Reality. Was it wrong for what happened on Jan. 6th to happen...Yes! But did it happen in the manner of which the initial statement says...Far from it. Let the Truth prevail.
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SGT Patrick Jackson
SPC Cody Verba lol...convinced that there is much more to the truth of that day than what the common media is portraying.
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SGT Patrick Jackson
SPC Cody Verba I do not believe so as I look/listen to all perspectives and go with what makes sense in my mind and heart. Many more questions to be answered...Biggest one is, how can we allow our cities to be terrorized by certain groups for over a year and not do nothing? Yet one event that was totally preventable if the leadership had listened, is an insurrection. Doesn't make sense. Blessings Brother, gotta go.
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Suspended Profile
"...how can we allow our cities to be terrorized by certain groups for over a year and not do nothing?"
The above statement has absolutely nothing to do with the events of Jan.6, which were federal crimes, committed on federal property. Most of the events that occurred in states in 2020 were state crimes. Who allowed it? Who did nothing? Who was in charge? More importantly, do we actually want federal authorities reaching down to states to conduct enforcement activities as the government sees fit? Using a form of the word terror in the above sentence is biased in itself. Some people protested, some were there to cause trouble. On the other hand Jan. 6 was a coordinated event and appears to have multiple levels of involvement, perhaps even leading up to members of Congress. Let the investigations and prosecutions continue.
The above statement has absolutely nothing to do with the events of Jan.6, which were federal crimes, committed on federal property. Most of the events that occurred in states in 2020 were state crimes. Who allowed it? Who did nothing? Who was in charge? More importantly, do we actually want federal authorities reaching down to states to conduct enforcement activities as the government sees fit? Using a form of the word terror in the above sentence is biased in itself. Some people protested, some were there to cause trouble. On the other hand Jan. 6 was a coordinated event and appears to have multiple levels of involvement, perhaps even leading up to members of Congress. Let the investigations and prosecutions continue.
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