Staff Reports
Steve Bannon, the former chief strategist in the White House, denied knowing anything about the January 6 Committee's subpoena. On Thursday, Bannon's attorneys wrapped up their case and asked the judge to acquit their client before the jury deliberated.
Evan Corcoran, Bannon's attorney, initially asked for a complete acquittal on the grounds that the government's case against his client was insufficient. An attorney for Bannon, David Schoen, echoed these comments, claiming that his client was in active negotiations with the so-called select committee rather than rejecting their summons.
Bannon stated again that he was previously obligated to remain silent due to former President Donald Trump's executive privilege, and that he had cooperated with authorities in a variety of other ways. He also made a point of introducing the panel's chair, Bennie Thompson.
The defense did not present any witnesses or fresh evidence during the trial. The judge had already decided that their claims of executive privilege and the political bias of the January 6 Committee would not be heard.
On Friday, a jury in D.C. returned a guilty verdict, finding Bannon to be responsible for the crimes charged. The House Select Committee Investigating January 6 charged him with criminal contempt when he ignored their subpoena demanding his testimony.
A case was not presented to the jury since neither Bannon nor his defense team appeared in court. The jury took around three hours to reach a verdict. On October 21, he will be sentenced, and he might get up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
The preceding is a summary of an article that originally appeared on OANN.
