SCOTUS Decision Impacting January 6 Cases

When the Supreme Court narrowed the definition of obstruction as it related to J6 cases, it threw a big wrench into the system.

Many of the defendants who had already been found guilty under the previous definition of obstruction called for their cases to be reconsidered or sentencing delayed while they maneuvered their cases through the appeals process.

Prosecutors are now being forced to review these cases, especially ones where the larger sentences were given.

Need to Take a Look

One of the latest cases to test the decision by the court is that of Thomas Robertson.

Robertson is a former police officer who was given more than seven years for his role in the riot.

Overall, he was convicted of six charges, including the obstruction of an official proceeding.

According to prosecutors, as one of the first people through the doors, Robertson was able to use his police training to help his fellow rioters avoid the police.

His 87-month sentence was vacated, and he is now up for another sentencing hearing, where prosecutors have stated they will go for the same sentence.

Robertson’s attorneys, however, have something else in mind, and they are hoping to have the sentence significantly reduced.

There were roughly 350 J6 defendants convicted on obstruction charges, and quite a few cases remain in the pipeline that need to be tried.

How this case falls will set the tone for how the courts should treat this charge.

There will be a lot of eyes on this case because it will set the tone for the dozens of cases regarding obstruction that are being put back into the pipeline.