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Prosecutors called their final witnesses Monday in the trial of Guy Reffitt, an alleged participant in last year’s Capitol riot who authorities say threatened to shoot his own children if they turned him in.
Reffitt, a 49-year-old member of the far-right “Texas Three Percenters” militia group, is the first person to stand trial in connection with the events of Jan. 6, 2021. He is charged with bringing a gun onto the Capitol grounds and interfering with police officers guarding the building.
Jurors heard Monday from two officers who said they attempted to keep Reffitt from accessing the building, as well as an FBI agent involved in the investigation.
Reffitt declined to testify in his own defense.
Fellow Three Percenter Rocky Hardie testified last week that Reffitt said he wanted to physically remove members of Congress from the Capitol and replace them with people who would “follow the Constitution.”
Hardie told the court that he considered Reffitt’s words to be “hyperbole” and didn’t think he would act on them.
Following the riot, authorities say, Reffitt warned his children not to speak to law enforcement about him.
“If you turn me in, you’re a traitor and you know what happens to traitors,” Reffitt said to his son and daughter, according to court papers. “Traitors get shot.”
Reffitt’s 18-year-old son ultimately tipped the FBI off to his father’s role in the attack.
Reffitt also faces charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, transporting firearms during a civil disorder, and obstructing justice.
More than 750 people have been charged with federal crimes related to the riot. Over 220 riot defendants have pleaded guilty, more than 100 have been sentenced and at least 90 others have trial dates.
With Post wires
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