The mob made me do it: Rioters claim Jan. 6 crowd at fault
https://apnews.com/article/dc-wire-michael-pence-donald-trump-capitol-siege-government-and-politics-6434e5ba1e5d762be91dc971706dd0b9The mob made me do it: Rioters claim Jan. 6 crowd at fault
By MICHAEL TARM and JACQUES BILLEAUD
Christopher Grider said he came to Washington on Jan. 6 with no intention of rioting. But he got caught up in the mob of angry supporters of then-President Donald Trump as they surged into the U.S. Capitol, breaking through police barriers and smashing through doors.
It wasn’t his fault, he said, that he ended up inside the building with a yellow “Don’t Tread on Me” flag around his neck as lawmakers ran for their lives.
Grider, 39, a winery owner and former school teacher in Texas is among at least a dozen Capitol riot defendants identified by The Associated Press who have claimed their presence in the building was a result of being “caught up” in the hysteria of the crowd or that they were pushed inside by sheer force.
For some, blaming the mob is part of an attempt to restore reputations tarnished by their presence at an event of such infamy. Others may try to broach the issue at trial or at least during sentencing in bids for leniency.
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= new reply since forum marked as read
They soiled our capitol building with confederate & trump flags. 
I'll never forget or forgive, nor forget who among family & friends still support this vile party.
.... listened to Trump, Rudy, Mo Brooks, and others tell him he had to save America by stopping
the peaceful transfer of power and it is now time to take names and kick ass, marched on the Capitol,
crossed police lines, broke into the Capitol, and wore a MAGA hat with a "Don't Trade on Me" flag, but
it is somebody else's fault? Fuck him. I didn't make him watch Fox News, listen to hate talk radio, or his
"Christian Pastor" he filled his own head with that crap because it made him feel good.
Feb. 22 2021 article:
Grider, 39, of Chilton, co-owner of Kissing Tree Vineyards in Bruceville-Eddy, has been in federal custody since he surrendered to FBI agents Jan. 21 in Austin. He is charged in a seven-count indictment in Washington and faces a maximum of 33½ years in federal prison if convicted on the two felony and five misdemeanor counts.
https://wacotrib.com/news/local/dc-judge-releases-central-texas-vineyard-owner-held-in-capitol-riot/article_eb46e18a-7563-11eb-a03b-f717f4c9be79.html
Grider was seen holding a black helmet in the air, which the complaint states he later handed to another man who was trying to break the glass leading to the Speaker's Lobby.
“… Then speaking to him as Grider appears to knock on top of the helmet, signifying that it is a hard instrument,” the complaint states. “Subsequently, the individual accepted the helmet and proceeded to use it in order to strike the glass doors (in the center and far-right hand side), breaking the glass that Babbitt eventually attempted to jump through. Video footage also captured how Grider attempted to push open the doors and then kick the doors in an attempt to breach the entrance leading to House Chamber where members of Congress were located.”
Grider can be seen backing away from the Speaker’s Lobby as others are screaming “gun,” the complaint states. After the officer shot Babbitt, Grider can be seen leaning over the rail “to get a better glimpse of Babbitt bleeding on the floor,” according to the complaint.
