• Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP
    Donald Trump, the president at the time, speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as president in Washington on January 6, 2021. AP
  • A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP
    A mob loyal to Mr Trump tries to break through a police barrier at the Capitol. AP
  • The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP
    The mob waves pro-Trump flags in front of the Capitol building. AP
  • Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP
    Riot police push back a crowd of rioters at the Capitol building. AFP
  • Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP
    Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people try to storm the US Capitol building. AFP
  • Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP
    Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump try to open a door of the US Capitol building as they riot in Washington. AP
  • US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP
    US Capitol Police push back rioters trying to enter the US Capitol. AP
  • Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP
    Police and rioters confront each other in the Rotunda of the Capitol. US Capitol Police via AP
  • Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP
    Smoke fills the hallway outside the Senate chamber of the Capitol. AP
  • Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP
    Insurrectionists loyal to Mr Trump breach the Capitol in Washington. AP
  • Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP
    Trump supporters, including Doug Jensen, centre, confront US Capitol Police in the hallway outside the Senate chamber at the Capitol. AP
  • Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters
    Newly installed razor wire tops the fence surrounding the US Capitol following the January 6 riot. Reuters
  • Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP
    Security agents and members of Congress barricade the door to the House chamber as the violent mob breaches the Capitol. AP
  • Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters
    Rioter Jacob Chansley holds a sign referencing QAnon as supporters of Mr Trump gather to protest the early results of the 2020 presidential election. Reuters

World

US

US court sentences ex-policeman to more than 7 years in jail for role in January 6 attack

Thomas Robertson's sentencing matches the longest to be handed down to a Capitol rioter

The National

August 12, 2022

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A former policeman charged by prosecutors with lying about his actions relating to the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol has been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.

A jury in April convicted Thomas Robertson of six criminal charges, including obstruction of justice and obstruction of an official proceeding.

The bicycle that belonged to Capitol policeman Brian Sicknick, who died a day after battling to disperse the January 6 rioters, is displayed as part of a memorial to him, at the Capitol, in Washington. Reuters
The bicycle that belonged to Capitol policeman Brian Sicknick, who died a day after battling to disperse the January 6 rioters, is displayed as part of a memorial to him, at the Capitol, in Washington. Reuters

Robertson and Guy Reffitt, who was convicted in March, are now tied for the longest sentence for someone involved in the Capitol riots, at 87 months.

Robertson “used his law enforcement training to block Metropolitan Police Officers attempting to hold back the mob", federal prosecutor Elizabeth Aloi wrote in the government's sentencing memo.

The former policeman's lawyer had asked for a sentence not longer than 15 months.

His trial featured testimony from Jackob Fracker, who reported to Robertson in the Rocky Mount, Virginia, police department. The pair took selfies when they entered the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors said Robertson formatted the mobile phones they had used on that day.

The town fired Robertson and Fracker after the riot.

Fracker pleaded guilty to a felony charge of conspiracy in March and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 16.

About 850 people have been charged with federal crimes in relations to their actions to January 6. More than 350 of them have pleaded guilty, and more than 230 have been sentenced so far.

The attack on the Capitol killed at least five people and injured scores of officers as supporters of Donald Trump sought to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

Memorable quotes from January 6 committee hearings — in pictures

  • 'There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonour will remain.' Congresswoman and January 6 committee vice chairwoman Liz Cheney to Republican colleagues who have defended Mr Trump's claims of election fraud. AFP
    'There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonour will remain.' Congresswoman and January 6 committee vice chairwoman Liz Cheney to Republican colleagues who have defended Mr Trump's claims of election fraud. AFP
  • 'January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup - a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after January 6 - to overthrow the government.' Committee chairman Bennie Thompson. EPA
    'January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup - a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after January 6 - to overthrow the government.' Committee chairman Bennie Thompson. EPA
  • Mr Trump 'was willing to sacrifice our republic to prolong his presidency. I can imagine no more dishonourable acts by a president.' Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger. AFP
    Mr Trump 'was willing to sacrifice our republic to prolong his presidency. I can imagine no more dishonourable acts by a president.' Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger. AFP
  • Donald Trump had this 'arsenal of allegations. I went through them piece by piece to say, no, they were not true'. Former acting deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue. EPA
    Donald Trump had this 'arsenal of allegations. I went through them piece by piece to say, no, they were not true'. Former acting deputy attorney general Richard Donoghue. EPA
  • 'There were no votes to find.' Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after Donald Trump asked him and his deputy, Gabriel Sterling, to 'find 11,780' votes that could flip Georgia in the president's favour. AFP
    'There were no votes to find.' Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger after Donald Trump asked him and his deputy, Gabriel Sterling, to 'find 11,780' votes that could flip Georgia in the president's favour. AFP
  • Competing against Donald Trump’s lies was like a 'shovel trying to empty the ocean'. Gabriel Sterling, Georgia Secretary of State chief operating officer. AFP
    Competing against Donald Trump’s lies was like a 'shovel trying to empty the ocean'. Gabriel Sterling, Georgia Secretary of State chief operating officer. AFP
  • 'As an American, I was disgusted. It was unpatriotic, it was un-American. We were watching the Capitol building get defaced over a lie.' Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to then White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, speaking about the insurrection. AFP
    'As an American, I was disgusted. It was unpatriotic, it was un-American. We were watching the Capitol building get defaced over a lie.' Cassidy Hutchinson, an aide to then White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, speaking about the insurrection. AFP
  • 'I told him [Donald Trump] that the stuff his people were shovelling out to the public was bull***t.' Former attorney general William Barr. AP
    'I told him [Donald Trump] that the stuff his people were shovelling out to the public was bull***t.' Former attorney general William Barr. AP
  • 'I respect attorney general Barr. So, I accepted what he was saying.' Ivanka Trump, former White House senior adviser. AP
    'I respect attorney general Barr. So, I accepted what he was saying.' Ivanka Trump, former White House senior adviser. AP
  • 'We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country any more.' Donald Trump on January 6, 2021. Reuters
    'We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country any more.' Donald Trump on January 6, 2021. Reuters
  • A Confederate battle flag that reads 'Come and Take It' and shows a military-style rifle flies as rioters storm the Capitol on January 6, 2001. Reuters
    A Confederate battle flag that reads 'Come and Take It' and shows a military-style rifle flies as rioters storm the Capitol on January 6, 2001. Reuters
  • A Trump supporter sprays smoke. Reuters
    A Trump supporter sprays smoke. Reuters
  • Police attempt to push the mob back. AFP
    Police attempt to push the mob back. AFP
  • The pro-Trump mob swarms the Capitol as police release tear gas. Reuters
    The pro-Trump mob swarms the Capitol as police release tear gas. Reuters
  • Protesters clash with police. Reuters
    Protesters clash with police. Reuters
  • Pro-Trump protesters storm into the US Capitol. Reuters
    Pro-Trump protesters storm into the US Capitol. Reuters
  • A police flash-bang blast lights up the Capitol. Reuters
    A police flash-bang blast lights up the Capitol. Reuters
  • Before the insurrection, Mr Trump is seen on a screen speaking to supporters during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results. Reuters
    Before the insurrection, Mr Trump is seen on a screen speaking to supporters during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 US presidential election results. Reuters
  • People march with those who say they are members of the Proud Boys as they attend a rally in Washington in support of former president Donald Trump. AP
    People march with those who say they are members of the Proud Boys as they attend a rally in Washington in support of former president Donald Trump. AP

Reuters contributed to this report

Updated: August 12, 2022, 3:35 PM
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