Jurors deliberating in QAnon follower's Capitol riot trial
A federal jury is deliberating in the trial of an Iowa man who became one of the most recognizable members of the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol
WASHINGTON (AP) — An Iowa man was “weaponizing” rioters who joined him in chasing a police officer up a staircase during one of the most harrowing scenes from a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol, a prosecutor told jurors on Friday at the close of the man's trial.
Douglas Jensen had a folding knife in his pocket and was wearing a T-shirt expressing his adherence to the QAnon conspiracy theory when he joined the rioters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. One of the videos that went viral after the siege captured Jensen at the front of the crowd that followed Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman up the stairs.
“The defendant wasn't just leading the mob. He was weaponizing it,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hava Mirell said during closing arguments for Jensen's trial. “He knew he had the numbers, and he was willing to use them.”
Jurors began deliberating in the case against Jensen, a construction worker who is among hundreds of people charged with federal crimes for their conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Jensen's shirt — which depicted a large “Q” and a bald eagle along with two QAnon slogans — made him stand out from the crowd of rioters.
