Notwithstanding that his beliefs were not rationally based; defendant was not acting out of criminal intent. Defendant sought no personal nor pecuniary gain. Rather defendant acted out of the delusional belief that he was a "patriot" protecting his country. Defendant is former military who is sworn to protect his country. He was responding to the entreaties of the then commander in chief, President Trump. The President maintained that the election had been stolen and it was the duty of loyal citizens to "stop the steal." Admittedly there was no rational basis for the claim, but it is apparent defendant was one of millions of Americans who were misled by the President's deception. Defendant did not act out of criminal intent but out of conscience, albeit a frighteningly confused and distorted sense of conscience. Hopefully, as a result of this experience he has learned not be so gullible and will not be so easily duped again.
Press accounts of the underlying event are rampant with the universal claim by all protesters that they were acting at the behest of President Trump to save the country from a stolen election. Many of those who heeded his call will be spending substantial portions if not the remainder of their lives in prison as a consequence. Meanwhile Donald Trump resumes his life of luxury and privilege.
-- Defendant's Motion for Modification of Bond in the case of United States v Dominic Pezzola, 10 February 2021 (h/t Politico)
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