A Texas militia member was sentenced to over seven years in prison for participating in the January 6, 2021, capitol riot. It was the most severe punishment in prosecutions over the attack. Guy Wesley Reffitt was found guilty on more than five counts, including obstruction. Reffitt told U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich, "I really do hate what I did…My mouth is my biggest enemy." Prosecutors had asked for a more severe punishment for Reffitt, describing the case as domestic terrorism, reports USA Today.
Defense attorney Clinton Broden argued for Reffitt to be given a lighter sentence, saying that shorter terms have been given to rioters who attacked police officers. He said the prosecutors' request "makes a mockery of the criminal justice system." The trial featured video footage and testimony from Capitol police, fellow rioters, and Reffitt’s estranged son. Reffitt’s son said Reffitt had told him about his participation in the riot but warned him to not tell authorities, telling him "traitors get shot." He had a gun holstered to his waist n the attack and had talked about physically removing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY). Reffitt attorney William Welch said that Reffitt was just exaggerating. Capitol police reported Reffitt as leading hundreds of rioters up the Capitol steps. Reffitt was described as the "tip of this mob's spear."
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