By Mark Hosenball

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – On Tuesday, a federal judge granted continued pretrial confinement to a former U.S. Marine who faces multiple felony counts related to his allegedly violent conduct including throwing a pole at officers during the January 6. U.S. Capitol Riot

Beryl Howell is the U.S. District Judge in Washington. James McGrew, a 39-year-old Arizonan, stated that “the weight of evidence” warrants pretrial confinement.

Howell claimed McGrew violated probation that he had been serving for an older offense. He had traveled to Washington, Washington, Jan. 6, with a lengthy criminal record.

McGrew’s abdomen has a gothic-lettered “King James” tattoo. He was cited by the judge as having participated in “enthusiastically…in a violent attack on Capitol,” and assumed a leadership role among rioters.

Howell declared, “I believe the defendant poses danger to the society” after Jan. 6.

A case summary prepared by the prosecution showed evidence that McGrew cheered when a crowd of protestors drove the police to the Capitol’s West Plaza. There, he was apparently pepper-sprayed.

According to the prosecution, he entered the U.S. Capitol and encouraged other rioters. He then turned aggressive after police requested that he leave the Rotunda where he was pepper-sprayed once more. McGrew was accused of throwing a stick at police after leaving the Capitol Building.

William Shipley, a defense lawyer acknowledged that the riot video showed that McGrew had “taken hold” of a pole and tore it apart “like a javelin.” Shipley claimed that McGrew had been in pre-trial detention for six months.

Over 660 individuals have been accused of taking part in an attack to prevent Congress from recertifying Democratic President Joe Biden’s victory. This failed attempt by Congress to stop the former president Donald Trump falsely claimed that the election was due widespread fraud.