Dershowitz, Others Decry 'QAnon Shaman' Sentence as 'Out of Line'
Brian Trusdell | Wednesday, 17 November 2021 04:22 PM
Retired Harvard law professor and constitutional scholar Alan Dershowitz on Wednesday decried the 41-month sentence meted out to Jan. 6 protester Jacob Chansley as "out of line" and treading "on the First Amendment."
Portrayed by federal prosecutors as the face of the protest that breached the U.S. Capitol, Chansley received one of the harshest sentences imposed for the incident. That came despite U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lamberth admitting the self-described "QAnon Shaman" — widely known for his shirtless appearance with painted face and horned fur headdress — had no record and committed no violence during the disturbance.
Lambert told Chansley, "You made yourself the epitome of the riot."
But Dershowitz indicated that should not have been a factor.
"To increase a sentence because one is the face of a demonstration or violence is to tread on the First Amendment," Dershowitz told Newsmax. "Being the face of something is protected and should not be a basis for increasing punishment.
"[Sentencing] has to be completely equal without regard to partisan issues," Dershowitz added noting many rioters from the summer of 2020 had light sentences or charges dropped. "This does seem out of line considering the sentences or lack of prosecution of those from the hard left."
Chansley pleaded guilty to one count of disrupting an official proceeding, a charge which carries a maximum of 20 years but sentencing guidelines call for anywhere from 41 to 51 months.
Lamberth imposed the same sentence last week on Scott Fairlamb, 44, of New Jersey for punching a police officer during the Jan. 6 protest.
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https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/chasley-dershowitz-jan-6-sentencing/2021/11/17/id/1045123/
