Capitol riots: Insurrectionist breaks down following guilty plea at sentencing hearing

Hundreds of insurrectionists from the Capitol insurrection last January 6 are either awaiting trial or their sentencing hearings. One accused rioter who pleaded guilty for charges related to his participation appeared to have broken down in tears during his sentencing hearing.

Insurrectionist Robert Palmer from Florida appeared to have broken down in tears during his sentencing hearing Tuesday, as reported by WUSA9. Palmer pleaded guilty to the charges related to his involvement in the January 6 insurrection, including assaulting a Capitol Police officer with a fire extinguisher. During the hearing, Palmer’s attorney said his client had regretted his actions during the riots that killed five people and injured dozens of police officers.

With the assistance of the Huffington Post investigators, Palmer was arrested in March by the feds.

“Palmer told the US District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan he was the one identified in Department of Justice images who threw a wooden plank at police, sprayed a fire extinguisher at officers until it was empty, then threw the empty fire extinguisher at the line of police,” according to the report. In the days leading up to his hearing, Palmer appeared to be breaking down in tears over his involvement.

“That was Mr. Palmer being remorseful for what he did on January 6th. And also, afraid of what’s to come,” said Bjorn Brunvand, Palmer’s defense attorney, during the sentencing hearing.

Some of the insurrectionists were turned in to the federal law enforcement agents through family members or acquaintances for their involvement in the attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.

Meanwhile, the bipartisan House Committee investigating the Capitol riots has issued subpoenas to several high-profile associates of twice-impeached former President Donald Trump. CNN’s Ryan Nobles reported Tuesday that the panel has reportedly been unable to serve a subpoena to Trump’s former social media director Dan Scavino, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Nobles explained that the panel is unable to find Scavino to serve him with the subpoena, posing another challenge to the committee’s probe. The panel has already anticipated that those whom they have issued subpoenas to will attempt to avoid or reject it. However, members of the panel have previously warned that should they choose not to comply, they will be criminally referred to the DOJ.