Joe.My.God. LGBT News
CBS News reports:
A physical altercation broke out during a hearing on Monday in the case of Vitali GossJankowski, a defendant convicted of several charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, resulting in toppled tables and multiple federal agents subduing the defendant on the ground.
Judge Paul Friedman of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia ordered GossJankowski jailed for a series of recent doxxing threats targeting federal agents. Moments later, GossJankowski stood and fought with agents who tried to handcuff him and take him into custody.
GossJankowski, who appears to stand at least 6 feet, 3 inches tall and is exceptionally muscular, pushed, tugged and toppled the officers before careening into a nearby podium and tables. Agents from elsewhere in the courthouse ran into the courtroom to help four U.S. Marshals and FBI staff corral GossJankowski, who has a hearing disability.
Washington DC’s ABC affiliate reports:
Friedman initially allowed Gossjankowski to remain free under supervision until his sentencing date, which hasn’t been scheduled. On Monday, he revoked that release — saying Gossjankowski posting the names, phone numbers and emails of law enforcement and prosecutors on social media, as well as calling for the “employment extermination” of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, was inciting behavior.
“All of this is extremely troubling,” Friedman said. “It’s dangerous. It’s putting others in danger, including prosecutors and law enforcement. I’m just stunned.” Gossjankowski, who is deaf and was enrolled at D.C.’s Gallaudet University on Jan. 6, 2021, visibly reacted when an ASL interpreter who participated in the hearing via Zoom communicated Friedman’s decision.
In court Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Francesco Valentini showed Friedman even more messages from Gossjankowski’s Instagram page in which he again referred to FBI agents and law enforcement in antisemitic and homophobic terms and called them “animalistic subhumans.”
Prosecutor alleges GossJankowski has doxxed the prosecutor himself. Urging IG followers to call and tell prosecutor about 1st amendment
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023
Marshals order courtroom cleared as GossJankowski is physically resisting agents who are trying to cuff him. He makes gutteral screams and fights off agents.
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023
A computer plunges off defense table in the scrum. Other agents from elsewhere in courthouse run into Judge Friedman’s courtroom to corral GossJankowski, who is huge and strong.
Judge has already exited
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023
Seven to eight agents finally get GossJankowski under control. He’s going straight to DC jail
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023
GossJankowski is built like a Division-1 linebacker. Took a while for Feds to contain him
Lots to unpack in judge’s ruling (more)
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023
Judge expresses worry that the doxxed FBI agent’s information and phone number is now circulating because of GossJankowski. Judge: “I’m trying to close the barn door after the horses have already left”
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023
GossJankowski was convicted on six counts. Three felonies. Including assault on police.
Feds argue his post-trial conduct is “vile and reprehensible”
— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) October 30, 2023