On Friday, five participants in the Jan 6 riot were convicted of multiple felonies. One of them was Ryan Samsel, who prosecutors argued was one of the individuals responsible for turning an unruly protest into a full-blown riot.
Key player
“These are the defendants who started it,” Assistant US Attorney Alexandra Foster argued in the courtroom on Friday. She referred to Samsel, James Grant, Paul Johnson, Stephen Randolph, and Jason Blythe.
The spark
Photo and video evidence indicated that it was Samsel who threw a barricade at a Capitol officer, knocking her unconscious. According to prosecutors, that moment presented the opportunity for a group of rioters to push into the Capitol.
No doubt
“There is little doubt that this moment ignited a fire that lasted around the Capitol for hours,” Foster argued. “They started the Capitol breach. Now they must take responsibility.”
Violent men
As a mob of rioters streamed into the Capitol, Samen and his co-defendants continued fighting with officers. According to prosecutors, they also shouted encouragement to crowd members, urging them to push forward.
Real consequences
The officer knocked unconscious by Samsen, Caroline Edwards, testified at the trial. She told the court that she was hit in the jaw, then bumped into a railing and knocked to the ground.
Injuries suffered
“I landed with my head on the stairs,” Edwards said. “The lights were on, but no one was home.”
Many more
Edwards is one of 140 Capitol officers who were injured in the riot. However, a prosecutor for the Justice Department testified at a Congressional hearing that the real figure of officers injured is likely much higher.
Going viral
Samsen was caught talking to Ray Epps on camera. Epps, who was a member of the far-right extremist group the Oath Keepers, was sentenced to a year of probation for his participation in the riot.
Conspiracy theories
Epp has been the subject of a right-wing conspiracy alleging that he was one of multiple federal officers who incited the Capitol riot to capture Trump supporters. Due in part to Fox amplifying these conspiracies, Epp was forced to go into hiding out of fear for his safety.
Bad situation
“You were hounded out of your home,” a judge told Epp. “You were hounded out of your town.” According to an attorney, Epp and his family “live in a trailer in the woods, away from their family, friends, and community.”
Links to high places
Samsen was also captured talking with Joe Biggs, a leader of the Proud Boys. The Proud Boys is a Southern Poverty Law Center designated hate group.
Serious punishment
Biggs was sentenced to 17 years in prison. His interaction with Samsen played a part in federal prosecutors convicting him for sedition.
No defense
Neither Samsel nor his co-defendants took the stand to defend themselves. Samsel has been in custody since being arrested in 2021 due to previous convictions for assault.
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