In an unusual move, DOJ prosecutors, who had claimed in a court file that the Capitol robbers were seeking "to capture and murder elected officials," retracted that claim.
An Arizona federal prosecutor asked a magistrate judge in a hearing on Friday to omit from the court file against
Anthony Chansley (one of the most prominent assailants)
the line that read: "Strong evidence, including Chansley's own words and actions in the Capitol, support that the intention of the Capitol mob was to capture and assassinate elected officials of the United States Government. "
The document did not specify which statements by Chansley indicated that intention.
Todd Allison, a DOJ prosecutor in Arizona, said the department may argue this line if the attacker goes to trial, but they cannot sustain it for now.
The petition comes just hours after Michael Sherwin, acting prosecutor in Washington DC, said at a press conference that "there was no direct evidence of capture and murder teams" among the assailants on January 6, for now.
Jacob Chansley, disguised in a raccoon hat and Native American chief horns, confronts a Capitol police officer on January 6, 2021.AP Photo / Manuel Balce Ceneta
This Friday the judicial file of the prosecutors against Chansley, a resident in the capital and the conspiracy theorist of QAnon, had been released, who was
photographed with a raccoon hat and
Native American head
horns
inside the Congress building.
Arizona federal prosecutors had asked a judge to hold him in custody until his trial, arguing that he wants to return to Washington for the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden.
Prosecutors upheld this request.
[In Photos: Washington, Shielded by Military and Police to Protect Biden's Inauguration from Another Pro-Trump Violent Assault]
Chansley is charged with interfering with police operations and procedures, disrupting public order and entering restricted areas of the Capitol without authorization.
According to prosecutors, the FBI investigation showed the man left a note for Vice President Mike Pence, warning that
"it is only a matter of time" and that "justice is coming
.
"
Who is Chansley, the attacker with horns and furs
Chansley was one of the infamous figures during the assault on the Capitol, with his hat with horns and fur and his face paint.
Chansley was "actively involved in an insurrection that attempted to violently overthrow the United States government," according to prosecutors, and warned that
"the insurrection is still ongoing,"
as law enforcement agencies prepare for more demonstrations in Washington and state capitals.
Trump supporters, during the attack on the Capitol, carried flags and insignia.
AP
[Trump, alone, angry and defiant in the White House, fears for his legacy. But he still has loyal fans]
The attacker is a YouTuber who supports QAnon and was also among the pro-Trump protesters who gathered in front of the Maricopa County Elections Department in Phoenix on November 5, falsely claiming that there was electoral fraud.
In his arrest document, prosecutors suggested that he suffers from drug addiction and mental illness, and told the judge that he presents a serious flight risk.
"
Chansley has spoken openly about his belief that he is an alien, a higher being
, and that he is here on Earth to ascend to another reality," they wrote.
More than 200 violent in the sights
Prosecutors and federal agents have begun filing more serious charges related to the violence on Capitol Hill.
Retired firefighter Robert Sanford was charged Thursday with throwing a fire extinguisher at the head of a police officer
.
Peter Stager, was accused of hitting a different officer with a pole bearing an American flag.
Donald Trump faces a second impeachment trial
Jan. 14, 202103: 52
The Justice Department has filed more than 80 criminal cases in connection with the violent riots in the United States Capitol last week, in which Trump supporters stormed the building, ransacked offices and, in some cases, attacked the policeman.
Many of the people charged so far have been easily tracked down by the FBI, which has more than 200 suspects, thanks in large part to videos and photos posted on social media.
Michael Sherwin, the Acting United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, has said that while many of the initial charges may appear minor, he expects much more serious charges to be brought as the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues your investigation.
With information from Reuters and NBC News.