Some criminal defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot received unfairly reduced sentences, a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., has ruled.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit sentenced Larry Rendall on Friday. According to the Associated Press, Bullock’s sentence improperly included a charge of “interfering with the administration of justice.” report.
A new sentence has been handed down for a retired Air Force officer who appeared at the Capitol in combat fatigues, a ruling that could affect dozens of other cases stemming from that day’s unrest. .
According to Circuit Judge Millett, who wrote the court’s opinion, interference with Congress’s certification of electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election does not apply to sentencing enhancements.
“Block challenges both the district court’s interpretation of the elements of section 1512(c)(2) and the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction. The court also objects to the application of a three-level enhanced sentence for obstructing the execution of a crime.
This image from Senate TV video shows Larry Rendall Block standing in the Senate chamber of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington. On March 1, 2024, a federal appeals court in Washington handed down a new sentence for Mr. Bullock, who stormed the U.S. Capitol in combat fatigues, in a ruling that could affect dozens of other cases. did. (Department of Justice, via AP)
The AP reports that the enhancements have also been applied to more than 100 other cases filed by Mr. Bullock’s Jan. 6 defendants on the grounds that his actions resulted in “serious interference with the administration of justice.” Washington Press Secretary Patricia Hartman said. United States Attorney’s Office.
Other defendants on Jan. 6 were also sentenced to longer sentences on the same charges, potentially raising questions about their respective sentences.
Asked whether prosecutors would appeal the ruling, Hartman said they were considering their options.
Mr. Bullock was sentenced last year to two years in prison after being found guilty of felony obstruction of justice and misdemeanor battery. He is currently serving his sentence at a federal prison in Missouri and is scheduled to be released in December, according to online Bureau of Prisons records.
Bullock’s attorney did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment Friday.
