WASHINGTON — Testimony and closing arguments in the trial of Richard “Bigo” Barnett ended Friday after two weeks.
U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper said the jury will return Monday morning to begin deliberating.
Barnett, 62, of Gravette, faces eight charges in connection with the riot on Jan. 6, 2021. He got worldwide attention after being photographed with his foot on a desk in Pelosi’s office suite.
Barnett faces enhanced charges for entering the Capitol with a dangerous weapon — a Hike ‘n Strike Walking Staff stun gun that he bought a week earlier at the Bass Pro Shop in Rogers.
This morning, Barnett told Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gordon that he was tired of his line of questioning.
“You knew you had broken laws,” said Gordon.
“No,” said Barnett. “I have made mistakes and I regret those mistakes. … I feel horrible about it but I’m not going to let you put words in my mouth. I’m getting quite tired of it.”
During his closing arguments, Gordon said Barnett’s response indicates he is an angry and frustrated man. The defense attorneys tried to paint Richard Barnett as a loving family man, different from his online, loud-mouthed persona of “Bigo” Barnett.
Barnett faces the following charges:
• 18:231(a)(3); Civil Disorder
• 18:1512(c)(2) and 2; Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting
• 18:1752(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A); Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon
• 18:1752(a)(2) and (b)(1)(A); Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon
• 40:5104(e)(2)(C); Entering and Remaining in Certain Rooms in the Capitol Building
• 40:5104(e)(2)(D); Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
• 40:5104(e)(2)(G); Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in a Capitol Building
• 18:641; Theft of Government Property