Inset: L. Brent Bozell IV appears on his cellphone in trial exhibit footage from inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Background: Trial exhibit photos show Bozell, circled in yellow, walking up to a window and then bashing it apart further. Photos courtesy of U.S. Justice Department.
Leo Brent Bozell IV of Pennsylvania , son of Brent Bozell, the conservative founder of the Media Research Center, CNSNews, and the Parents Television Counsel, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison Friday for his raucous role in the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 , 2021, amid throngs of Donald Trump supporters.
NBC News reported from the courthouse in Washington, D.C., that the defendant’s father was also in attendance Friday.
Prosecutors had originally asked for 12 years, a proposed sentence which also factored in a terrorism enhancement. As Law&Crime previously reported , Bozell was convicted before U.S. District Judge John D. Bates last fall on 10 counts, including felony obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, destruction of government property and aiding and abetting, civil disorder, and assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers. He was also convicted on several misdemeanors including entering and remaining in a restricted building and grounds.
Related Coverage:
Bozell bashed open a Senate window , joined rioters who chased U.S. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman and made his way to the Speaker of the House’s office before plowing into congressional chambers, perching himself in a gallery and turning the view of CSPAN camera away from rioters marauding below him.
His attorney argued that Bozell had simply “made a bad error in judgment” when he came to Washington, D.C.
Justice Department trial exhibits show Leo Bozell as one of the first rioters to enter the Senate chamber (left) and Bozell then rustling through an emergency supply bag and removing a rope (right).
Bozell tried to defend his conduct but to no avail before Judge Bates, an appointee of former President George W. Bush.
“I find that Mr. Bozell was not a credible witness on several fronts. Many of his explanations of his conduct before and on Jan. 6 defy both the video evidence and common sense,” Bates said when rendering his verdict. 
The New York Times reported Friday that the judge reached his sentence because he did not believe the terrorism enhancement quite fit.
“I’m not sure that label is an appropriate label for the defendant to have to carry with him,” Bates said.
Bozell IV offered apologies to police officers watching the sentencing hearing. He said his actions had forever “put a stain on my family.”
His father seemed forgiving, writing to the court that he could
“categorically” declare: “My son is a good man.”
Join the discussion
The post Son of conservative activist and 1st rioter to invade Senate floor on Jan. 6 is sentenced first appeared on Law & Crime .
Most Popular
Comments / 0