WASHINGTON (AP) — A Kentucky man who stormed the U.S. Capitol while carrying a Confederate battle flag was sentenced on Monday to more than two years in prison for pepper spraying two police officers in the face, partially blinding them for hours during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Isreal Easterday was 19 years old when he joined a mob of Donald Trump supporters in invading the Capitol. He used pepper spray to assault two Capitol police officers who were separately guarding the East Rotunda Doors. Chief Judge James Boasberg cited Easterday’s youth as a reason for handing down a prison term — two years and six months — that was over five times lower than the Justice Department’s initial sentencing recommendation. The judge said Easterday, who was homeschooled by his mother while living on a family farm, “may not have fully appreciated what was going on there” at the Capitol on Jan. 6 or recognized that the Confederate flag is a “symbol of rebellion.” |
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban standsGeorgia Republicans choose Amy Kremer, organizer of proSupreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weaponsKristin Cavallari, 37, ignores critics of her ageNot so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir StarmerSaudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnershipSix killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army saysNot so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir StarmerElon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patientTravis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift