At
a brief hearing before U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth, Jacob
Chansley, known for the horned headdress he wore while in the
Capitol, confirmed that he had dropped Missouri lawyer Albert
Watkins, who had represented him since shortly after his January
arrest. Watkins confirmed that Chansley had asked him to
withdraw from the case.
Following the hearing, Lamberth recorded an entry in the court
record confirming Watkins' departure and that John Pierce, a Los
Angeles lawyer who represents about 25 Jan. 6 defendants, and
Honolulu-based lawyer William Shipley have taken over as
Chansley's lawyers.
Last week, Watkins had disputed a Pierce and Shipley claim that
he was set to be jettisoned.
"All defendants have the right to hire and change counsel,"
Watkins said on Monday.
Chansley this month was sentenced https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-seeks-four-years-prison-capitol-rioter-qanon-shaman-2021-11-17
to 41 months in prison for his role in the attack.
A non-profit founded by Pierce, called the National
Constitutional Law Union, said in a statement that it was
evaluating whether to claim that Chansley had inadequate legal
counsel.
(Reporting by Mark Hosenball, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
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