In 2021, we learned that former Misfits vocalist Michale Graves — born Michael Emanuel — had been called to serve as a witness for the defence of accused Capitol rioters, and that trial has since entered the courts.
Emanuel testified Monday (March 20) on behalf of five far-right neo-fascist Proud Boys members who stand accused of seditious conspiracy by the U.S. Justice Department — and had asked him to perform a concert (that never happened) at a home they rented in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021.
On the first day of defence testimony following 40 days of government evidence, Emanuel said in defence of the accused, via Reuters: "I know for a fact there was not some elaborate plan to take over the Capitol that day on Jan 6."
Emanuel said they "wanted to keep everyone safe," arguing that the concert would "keep people off the streets, and keep people out of trouble." He claimed the group had planned to be at the Airbnb for 3 p.m. with the concert to follow at 7 p.m., and thus the group could not have planned to participate in the riots, despite a two-hour gap following the first breach near the outer perimeter at the Capitol at around 1 p.m.
Nicholas Smith, the attorney representing Washington state Proud Boy Ethan Nordean, said that Graves is the first of dozens of witnesses expected to testify in defence of the accused.
Emanuel testified Monday (March 20) on behalf of five far-right neo-fascist Proud Boys members who stand accused of seditious conspiracy by the U.S. Justice Department — and had asked him to perform a concert (that never happened) at a home they rented in Washington, D.C., on January 6, 2021.
On the first day of defence testimony following 40 days of government evidence, Emanuel said in defence of the accused, via Reuters: "I know for a fact there was not some elaborate plan to take over the Capitol that day on Jan 6."
Emanuel said they "wanted to keep everyone safe," arguing that the concert would "keep people off the streets, and keep people out of trouble." He claimed the group had planned to be at the Airbnb for 3 p.m. with the concert to follow at 7 p.m., and thus the group could not have planned to participate in the riots, despite a two-hour gap following the first breach near the outer perimeter at the Capitol at around 1 p.m.
Nicholas Smith, the attorney representing Washington state Proud Boy Ethan Nordean, said that Graves is the first of dozens of witnesses expected to testify in defence of the accused.
