Capitol Rioter Begs for Jail Release In Handwritten Letter To Judge

Capitol Riot defendant Robert Gieswein asked a judge on Thursday to release him from jail and said that he will not "make any excuses or justify the tragic events that happened January 6" during the Capitol attack.

"The fact is that January 6 was one crazy day with many elements and I will never put myself into a situation like that again," Gieswein said in a handwritten letter to U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, which was obtained by NBC News.

On January 6 during the Capitol attack, Gieswein was allegedly wearing paramilitary gear and allegedly wrestled with Capitol police officers while he tried to remove a metal barricade outside the building.

Gieswein was arrested in Colorado on January 18 and faces charges of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon, according to a court document.

Additionally, Gieswein has been charged with the destruction of government property, entering and remaining in restricted premises with a dangerous weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

According to the published excerpts from his handwritten note, Gieswein spoke about the things he would do if he was released including taking care of his puppies Aspen and Timmy.

He also wrote about his wish to be exposed to different viewpoints concerning January 6 and that he is trying to watch "many news sites for perspective."

"I am not an expert in anything, but I do know it's not healthy to spend every day in here like it's Groundhog's Day, with people with the same viewpoint, in the same situation, because we are all portrayed by much of the media as one type of person," he wrote. "It is natural in this environment for the conversation to turn to January 6, and for us to look to each other for strength."

Gieswein further implied his wish to be released from jail to have "time away from a bubble, and a real chance to talk to real people I trust who may have different perspectives on January 6."

He also added that he sings the national anthem every night because it reminds him of his love for his country.

A number of Capitol rioters are currently undergoing trial for their involvement in the insurrection on that day. On Wednesday, Jacob Chansley, who is known as QAnon Shaman, was sentenced to 41 months in prison.

Chansley became a well-known figure after he was photographed during the riot shirtless and wearing a horned headdress on the Senate dais.

"What should have been a day in which Congress fulfilled its solemn, constitutional duty in certifying the vote count of the Electoral College, ensuring the peaceful transition of power in our nation, was disrupted by a mob of thousands on January 6, 2021. And this defendant was, quite literally, their flagbearer," prosecutors wrote in a court filing.

Chansley pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of an official proceeding which has a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.