US Department of Justice investigators have so far found no evidence that rioters who attacked the Capitol last week had plans to capture and murder elected officials.
In an Arizona court hearing on Friday into the detention of one of the rioters, Jacob Chansley, a QAnon conspiratorial activist, federal prosecutors reconsidered their previous accusations that supporters of President Donald Trump were planning to “Capture and assassinate elected officials” during the January 6 attack in Washington.
In a previous testimony in court, prosecutors invoked the murder plan to demand the continued detention of Jacob Chansley, 33, who became famous around the world after being pictured shirtless in a horned shaman’s outfit during the riot.
A project not seriously considered
Arizona prosecutors on Friday withdrew their charges after the Justice Department said despite calls during the attack to capture some elected officials and kill Vice President Mike Pence, no evidence had not been found which shows that such a project was seriously considered.
“There is no direct evidence at this stage of the existence of teams to capture and assassinate” [des élus]Michael Sherwin, the Washington District Attorney General overseeing the Capitol Attack investigation, told reporters.
In reaction to the January 6 attack, Washington has taken on the appearance of an entrenched camp in recent days with its concrete blocks and barbed wire, as President-elect Joe Biden approaches the inauguration on January 20.