A 20-year-old resident of Washington, Emanuel Jackson, currently awaits trial in a US federal court for his involvement in the US Capitol riots on January 6 wielded a metal bat and used it to pound the protective shields held by the police, reported Times of India. 

Jackson attempted to use an emerging trend among those who have been detained by the police for the violence by diverting the blame towards the former US President Donald Trump, who also awaits an impeachment trial at the US Senate and has been accused of “incitement of insurrection”. 

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According to a court filing submitted by the lawyer of the accused, Brandi Harden wrote “The nature and circumstances of this offense must be viewed through the lens of an event inspired by the President of the United States. The incident appears to have been spontaneous and sparked by the statements made during the ‘Stop the Steal’ rally”, reported Times of India. 

Harden argued that Jackson should be released while awaiting trial. A judge on January 22 denied the request.

Over 170 people have been charged under federal law for their direct participation in the protests-turned-riot with at least six people taking up a similar legal defense. 

These include Dominic Pezzola, who identifies as a member of the right-wing group called “Proud Boys” and Jacob Chansley, the man who wore face paint, a fur hat and horns during the siege, reported Times of India. 

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The lawyers who are attempting to prosecutor and convict those involved in the incident have shown their disagreement with the novel strategy being used by those on trial, Jay Town, a federal prosecutor said that the defendants will not be allowed to duck the criminal culpability by claiming that they were incited by the former US President. 

“If anything, it is an admission to criminal conduct,” said Town.