The freelance journalist who documented the January 6 crimes is found guilty

A freelance journalist who documented the Jan. 6 riots was found guilty by a jury Monday of four counts.

Stephen Horn reported on the miscarriage of justice on social media platform X.

I told the jury the same truth that I posted along with my video on January 7: “I did not enter the capitol building as part of the protest, or for cheap thrills, but to accurately document and record a significant event that was taking place.” pic.twitter.com/pZdeB02mq8

— Stephen Horn (@stephenehorn) September 18, 2023

“The jury has returned a guilty verdict on my J6 charges”:

• Enter or remain in a restricted area
• Disorderly or disruptive behavior in a restricted area
• Disorderly conduct in a Capitol building
• Parade, demonstrate or picket the Capitol building

“I told the jury the same truth that I posted along with my video on January 7: “I did not enter the capitol building as part of the protest, or for cheap thrills, but to accurately document and record a significant event that was taking place,’” he wrote.

“My sentencing hearing is scheduled for January,” he added. “Additionally, Judge Kelly has requested briefings on the Rule 29 motion filed by my attorneys (arguing that ‘the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction’).”

Below is the criminal complaint against Horn.

Stephen Ethan Horn Complaint… by Law&Crime

In the criminal complaint, an individual certified that Horn was there as a reporter, but may not have press credentials.

Earlier, Horn explained how he tipped the FBI, which was “exculpatory evidence,” he maintained.

Anyone interested can support me here: https://t.co/LCykIfuNie

— Stephen Horn (@stephenehorn) September 11, 2023

Horn also shared a GiveSendGo page for legal contributions.

Horn said he had obtained more than two hours of J6 footage showing numerous crimes. He also stated on his locals page that he had evidence that a Capitol Police officer pushed a Trump supporter off a ledge.

“On January 6, Derrick Vargo was seriously injured when he was thrown from a ledge on the west side of the Capitol. Vargo was climbing the outside of the railing with a flag as Capitol Police officers tried to keep the landing halfway up the northwest staircase,” he wrote. “The video shows Vargo turning around to retreat just before a Capitol Police officer in a blue motorcycle helmet and black mask approaches and pushes Vargo down the stairs. Vargo was taken from the ‘scene without reply.

Since I posted the video over a year ago, more evidence has come out, including this video of the incident from a security camerapic.twitter.com/yaVTy1f7SP

— Stephen Horn (@stephenehorn) February 23, 2023

“Court documents released last month reveal the identity of the masked Capitol Police officer as Bryant Williams,” he added. “While many of these facts were brought to my attention by a confidential source, they can be verified through publicly available material. I share this information because I believe in accountability.”

“Officer Williams was named as a victim in the government’s case against Barry Bennet Ramey,” he also noted. “Ramey was accused of spraying two officers, including Williams, with a chemical agent. Although Ramey was found guilty of charges including obstruction and violence, he was found not guilty of using a ‘deadly or dangerous weapon’ in the commission of these crimes”.

Vargo is suing the Capitol Police over the incident.

“Derrick Vargo was deliberately and maliciously pushed to his death by Capitol Police on January 6, 2021,” said his civil attorney Joseph McBride. “It is a miracle that he did not die. The physiological and psychological injuries that Mr. Vargo suffered are substantial and life-altering. Suing the Capitol Police gives Mr. Vargo the ability to make himself whole again and at the same time makes the Capitol Police morally and legally accountable in a court of law.”

This case brought by the DOJ raises serious concerns because it is another assault on freedom of the press by the Biden administration.

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