By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – An ex-police officer from New York City was accused of assault in the U.S. Capitol riot. On Thursday, he claimed he was acting in self defense when he hit a Washington officer using a flagpole.

Thomas Webster, 56 years old, said he went to Washington as part of a peaceful protest organized by Trump supporters. This was to gain a place in the jury trial for his acquittal.

Webster said, “That officer incited” to jurors after being asked by them why he had struck a Washington Metropolitan Police Officer.

Webster stated, “I felt as if I was dealing with an rogue cop,” Webster further claimed that Webster had been aggravated by the officer punching Webster in the face.

Webster, the only one of the Capitol rioters who have been charged so far by a jury is the first to claim he was acting in self-defense.

Webster was a Marine Corps veteran before joining the New York Police Department for around 20 years.

Webster was denied defense by his attorneys and Noah Rathbun, a District of Columbia officer of police, has been presented as the victim of the altercation.

Prosecutors claimed that Rathbun had made contact with Webster to make distance between them. They were both on the opposite side of a counter-police barricade, which was ultimately overrun by Trump supporters.

Amit Mehta (U.S. District Judge) expressed doubts over Webster’s self-defense claim.

You used to be a police officer. The judge stated that you should be more aware during a June court hearing.

Nearly 800 individuals are accused of taking part in the Capitol riot. The riot caused disruption to Congress’ joint session, disrupting its certification of Joe Biden’s election win and sending lawmakers fleeing for safety. So far, approximately 250 people have pleaded guilty.

Although they have been convicted in each of the three jury trials, their record at trials that were decided by judges is mixed.