A federal judge ruled this Monday that Jacob Chansley, also known as the “QAnon Shaman,” must remained detained while he awaits trial for his role in storming the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6. According to Law&Crime, the judge berated Chansley’s lawyer over the recent interview Chansley gave to CBS News’ 60 Minutes, calling it a “publicity stunt.”
“Such media appearances are undoubtedly conducive to defense counsel’s fame. But they are not at all conducive to an argument that the only way defense counsel could privately communicate with his client is if defendant were temporarily released,” Senior Judge Royce Lamberth wrote in a 32-page opinion. “Given defense counsel’s decision to use what could have been a confidential videoconference on a media publicity stunt, that argument is so frivolous as to insult the court’s intelligence.”
Lamberth sided with the prosecution’s contention that Chansley poses a danger to the public.
“Under this definition, the court finds that a six-foot pole with a metal spearhead fixed to the top is, undoubtedly, a dangerous weapon,” Lamberth wrote. “Like a knife, it is inherently dangerous. Both objects have a sharpened point designed to inflict harm by piercing or puncturing. Moreover, a spear can inflict those puncturing and stabbing wounds at a distance, making it even more effective as an offensive weapon than a knife.”
Court records show a note that Chansley left for then-Vice President Mike Pence, who he had called a “traitor.”
“It’s only a matter of time. Justice is coming!” the note read.
According to Chansley’s attorney, the note was indicative of a shaman offering a “prayer,” but the judge wasn’t buying that explanation.
“Reading that note in the context of defendant’s earlier promotion of the execution of ‘traitors’ invalidates the notion that defendant breached the Capitol merely to leave peaceful, political commentary on the Senate dais,” Lamberth wrote.
Chansley’s lawyer, Albert Watkins, also tried to claim that his client was misled by former president Donald Trump, making him not entirely responsible for his actions, but Lamberth wasn’t buying that either.
“Moreover, the fact that defendant attributes his actions on January 6th to President Trump does little to persuade the Court that defendant will not act in the same or similar ways again,” Lamberth wrote. “In fact, in his interview with 60 Minutes+, defendant stated that he does not regret his loyalty to former President Trump.”
“The Court is not persuaded that defendant’s mother will ensure his compliance with any conditions of release imposed, and defendant identifies no other custodian,” Lamberth wrote, referring to Martha Chansley, who was also interviewed by 60 Minutes.
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