At the trial of the man who attacked the Capitol, his son’s sharp testimony

A Texas militant who is on trial for his role in the January 6, 2021 violent attack on the US Congress, his defense was weakened Thursday by the horrific testimony of his own son, who was convicted by police.

Guy Refit, 49, from Wiley near Dallas, has been accused by election officials of being one of the wave leaders of hundreds of protesters who attacked the seat of American democracy when they confirmed the victory of Democrat Joe Biden as president.

He pleaded not guilty to violating any law or behaving aggressively towards the police. He faces up to 20 years in prison after the first trial on January 6 against an assailant.

A member of the right-wing “Three Percent” militia, who until then had shown little emotion, shed tears several times as he listened to his son Jackson’s testimony.

The 19-year-old said his “very good” relationship with his father had deteriorated since 2016.

In December 2020, his father attacked American politicians in a family discussion group: “I’m going to Washington. They all have to go, “he added.” What is going to happen will move the whole world. “

When he returned to Wiley, the young man said his father had his AR-15 automatic rifle and handgun in his car.

After Guy Refit, in a conversation his son secretly recorded, he stated that many demonstrators had come to Washington to arm him, violating federal laws.

Jackson Refit also testified that his father threatened to kill him: “If you condemn me, you are a traitor. And traitors, we will kill them. “

“Frightened” by these words, he decided to broadcast the recorded conversation to the FBI and his father was arrested a few days later.

He reported to his father that his family had “taken it very badly” and Jackson left the family.

“I do not regret it, it’s the best thing that ever happened,” he explained at the end of his statement, his voice filled with emotion.

This historic investigation will look at the number of arrests (more than 750) and the verdict in the light of the charges and the fact that they lasted more than a year after.

To avoid trial, more than 200 defendants pleaded guilty and 70 of them have already served their sentences in federal courts. Five years imprisonment is the heaviest sentence.