A former California police chief who called for the execution of Donald Trump's political enemies after the 2020 election and spread conspiracy theories about Jan. 6 after taking part in the Capitol attack has been found guilty of four charges.
Alan Hostetter at a pro-Trump rally at the Orange County Registrar of Voters' offices in Santa Ana, Calif., on Nov. 9, 2020.ByWASHINGTON — A former California police chief who called for the execution of Donald Trump's political enemies after the 2020 election and spread conspiracy theories about Jan. 6 after having taken part in the Capitol attack was found guilty of four charges Thursday.
Hostetter, U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth found, possessed a hatchet when he joined the mob that broke police lines, saying he didn't believe Hostetter's claim that he didn't have the hatchet on Jan. 6, 2021, because it was stolen out of his truck."Mr. Hostetter has a right to believe whatever he likes about the 2020 presidential election and to voice those opinions," Lamberth said, according to notes prepared for his oral ruling that were filed on the court docket.
Hostetter"has not presented any evidence that could make out an entrapment defense on the theory that the January 6 riot was a staged event," Lamberth said. Hostetter was a pro se defendant, meaning he represented himself with the assistance of standby counsel. Two other pro se defendants were also on trial this week in other courtrooms in the Washington federal courthouse:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ex-La Habra police chief Alan Hostetter found guilty for role in Jan. 6 insurrectionHostetter, who acted as his own lawyer, will be sentenced on Oct. 13.
Read more »
Judge Doesn’t Buy Yogi-Turned-MAGA Rioter’s Wild Jan. 6 DefenseA judge on Thursday found conspiracy theorist and Jan. 6 defendant Alan Hostetter guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, according to reporters who were in the courtroom.
Read more »
Man Who Stormed Capitol While Free On Attempted Murder Charge Gets Over 3 Years In Prison For RiotThe Jan. 6 defendant has been sentenced to more than three years in prison for attacking police with a flagpole during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.
Read more »
House GOP spars with FBI chief on Hunter Biden, Jan. 6 and moreThe hearing comes as some within the party are pushing to slash the FBI’s budget, including going after Wray’s salary directly.
Read more »
Former police chief convicted after defending self with Jan. 6 claimsThe Orange County yoga instructor aired conspiracy theories about the election, the police and the Justice Department in court.
Read more »
Supreme Court gives prosecutors ammo in Oath Keepers Capitol riot case'The defense counsel...surely will argue that the judge should not take acquitted conduct into consideration,' a former federal prosecutor told Newsweek.
Read more »