Padilla Govt Brief
Padilla Govt Brief
Padilla Govt Brief
The government respectfully submits this brief summarizing the evidence the government
anticipates will be admitted at trial and the various evidentiary and legal issues that may arise. As
an initial matter, the government notes that the parties have been trying and will continue trying to
narrow the issues that are actually in dispute, and to agree to stipulated facts and the admissibility
of exhibits wherever possible. In the event that sufficient agreement can be reached, some of the
On January 6, 2021, thousands of people descended on the U.S. Capitol building and
grounds when a joint session of Congress had convened to certify the votes of the Electoral College
for the 2020 Presidential Election. Vice President Michael Pence, as the President of the Senate,
was there to preside over the joint session and, later, the Senate proceedings. On that day, physical
barriers surrounded the U.S. Capitol building and grounds. At all relevant times, the United States
Capitol building and its grounds—including the West Terrace, the partially-constructed inaugural
stage on the Capitol’s West front, and the entire Capitol building itself—were closed to members
of the public.
As the House and Senate proceedings took place, a large crowd of protestors gathered
outside the Capitol. Temporary and permanent barricades were in place around the exterior of the
building, and U.S. Capitol Police were present and attempting to keep the crowd away from the
Capitol building and the proceedings underway inside. Shortly after 2:00 p.m., a violent mob of
rioters forced entry into the Capitol. Mayhem broke out inside the building, putting an hours-long
halt to the electoral vote count while elected representatives, congressional staff, and members of
the press hid from the mob. The joint session of Congress, and thus the constitutionally-mandated
proceeding held to confirm the results of the 2020 Presidential Election, was effectively suspended
At approximately 1:31 p.m., the defendant, Joseph Lino Padilla, approached a bike rack
barricade line manned by officers from the Metropolitan Police Department and the United State
Capitol Police, whom they were assisting, on the Lower West Terrace. As captured on several
body-worn cameras and videos captured by members of the crowd, the defendant pushed against
the barricade screaming, among other things, “Push! Push! Fucking push!” When his efforts to
break the police line failed, the defendant turned to the crowd behind him and called them cowards
for not joining his attack. A few minutes later, the defendant, along with other rioters, used a large
sign with a metal frame as a battering ram to push against the police line.
When the police line finally broke, officers retreated up to the inaugural stage through an
internal stairwell. The defendant followed close behind. Surveillance video shows that he was the
The officers retreated further into the Capitol, through a hallway that has come to be known
as the “Tunnel” in the context of January 6th related prosecutions. There, officers packed shoulder
to shoulder, with riot shields above their heads, to stop rioters from breaching into the heart of the
Capitol building. Within minutes of rioters packing into the Tunnel themselves, the defendant
walked into the Tunnel, just a few feet back from the officers, as alarms blared and rioters chanted
At approximately 4:45 p.m., rioters became increasingly violent at the officers positioned
in the mouth of the Tunnel, attacking them with flagpoles, hockey sticks, a megaphone, and other
objects. At the rioters’ feet, a fallen officer was being dragged out into the crowd and another
rioter was experiencing a medical emergency. As this was happening, the defendant threw a
flagpole into the Tunnel, striking a Capitol Police officer in the helmet. The violence directed
towards the officers defending the Tunnel waxed and waned for several hours, but did not stop
until the rioters were finally cleared from the Capitol building and the surrounding area.
The defendant later posted several messages and comments on social media about his
• After I had my right hand knuckles and ring finger crushed for just talking to an
officer I knew was a soldier and reminding him of his duty to refuse unlawful
orders, I got pissed, and so did many others. That’s when we started pushing.
• I was right there. I have the wounds to prove it. I pushed the rails, I pushed the
stairs, and then pushed the doorway. I was beaten unconscious twice, sprayed more
times than I care to count, received strikes from batons that should have been lethal
(Multiple temple and carotid strikes) except that God was on my side.
• Some chode had stalled everyone out saying he had an “announcement” that
amounted to “if we quit pushing the cops will quit beating us[.]” Basically
surrender. If that asshat hadn’t stalled our momentum, the cops wouldn’t have been
able to reinforce their position and we would have occupied the Capitol.
• If we could have occupied the Capitol, we could have invoked the right given to us
in the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence….We would have been in
the Seat of Power. All we would need to do is declare our grievances with the
government and dissolve the legislature, and replace it with Patriots who were
there. Then simply re-adopt the Constitution with amendments added to secure
future Federal elections.
• What happened Wednesday is what needs to be done again and again. I’m not
talking about those b[*]tches that were just let in, I’m talking about those of us who
got pissed when the cops starting bashing hands and pepper spraying people who
were only talking and shouting.
• Don’t you realize it yet? The war has been upon us for years and we’ve just been
wringing hands about it. After the events of the 6th, I’m done being passive.
• My conscious is clear. We've been lied to for decades, our elections too have been
fraudulent since at least 2000. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the 2nd paragraph of the
Declaration of Independence, one of our founding documents, specifically gave me
the right to do what I did. "... it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and
organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their
Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long
established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly
all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils
are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are
accustomed." Treason my ass. Keep on being jealous that I'm not a cowardly
worm.`
• I was Batoned, sprayed, gassed and tased. I was beaten unconscious. And I came
back for more because they were in the wrong. As soon as they started spraying
and beating people for no reason it went from being about protesting the election
to Restoring the Republic.`
• Also want to say that the riot was never about Trump. We were attempting to restore
the Republic by dissolving the legislature and convening a constitutional
convention of the people to add amendments that would prevent any federal
election from having ANY appearance of impropriety.
• The rest of us just gathered around the railing and talked to the cops until they
started attacking us. My right hand knuckles and ring finger were crushed by a cops
baton for the crime of touching the railing while I was talking to a cop who was a
Vet […] After that we started poushign them, and ended up fighting our way up to
the doors of the capitol and began trying to push our way in
• Most of us in the breach had nothing to protect us against the spray and gas. My
backpack, jacket and god are the only reason I'm not more severely injured […]
Just wish we had made it into the building
The evidence will also include messages the defendant sent during the riot on
• I've been beaten. Sprayed and tasted. Resting before I go in for more
• Were pushing the door. Had to take a break. Nuckles and fingers broke, pretty sure
I have a concussion
Inspector Hawa will testify about the presence of Vice President Pence in the Capitol on
January 6, 2021, about his evacuation from the Senate Chamber, and that he remained within the
Captain Mendoza will testify about U.S. Capitol Building, generally, the restricted
perimeter in place on January 6, 2021, and the interruption of the congressional proceedings due
Sergeant Cropper will testify about his encounter with the defendant on the police line on
the West Plaza. He will authenticate his body worn camera video, as well as other videos depicting
Officer Akhtar will testify about his encounter with the defendant on the police line on the
West Plaza.
Sergeant Riley will testify about his experience defending the Capitol against rioters in the
Tunnel.
Officer Corado will testify about his experience defending the Capitol against rioters in the
Tunnel. He will identify himself in various video exhibits and will testify that the flagpole thrown
by the defendant struck his helmet. The government does not anticipate that Officer Corado will
Special Agent Montana will introduce various exhibits into evidence, including the jacket
and backpack worn by the defendant on January 6, 2021, videos of the defendant, the defendant’s
social media posts, and other self-authenticating records. If necessary, the government may call
another case agent, FBI Special Agent Timothy Ervin, to establish the admissibility of certain
exhibits.
Count 1 relates to the defendant’s actions at the police barricade line between
approximately 1:37 p.m. and 1:39 p.m. To find the defendant guilty of Assaulting, Resisting, or
Impeding Certain Officers in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1), the Court, as the finder of fact,
must be convinced that the government has proved each of the following beyond a reasonable
doubt:
Fourth: the person assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, or interfered with
was an officer or an employee of the United States who was then engaged in
the performance of his official duties, or any person assisting officers of the
United States who were then engaged in the performance of their official duties;
and
Fifth: the defendant made physical contact with a person who was an officer or an
employee of the United States who was then engaged in the performance of his
official duties or assisting officers of the United States who were then engaged
in the performance of their official duties, or acted with the intent to commit
another felony.
Count 2 relates to the defendant’s actions involving the large metal sign between
approximately 1:39 p.m. and 1:41 p.m. Count 4 relates to the defendant throwing the flagpole at
approximately 4:47 p.m. To find the defendant guilty of Assaulting, Resisting, or Impeding Certain
Officers Using a Dangerous Weapon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1) and (b), the Court, as
the finder of fact, must be convinced that the government has proved each of the following beyond
a reasonable doubt:
Fourth: the person assaulted, resisted, opposed, impeded, intimidated, or interfered with
was an officer or an employee of the United States who was then engaged in
the performance of his official duties, or any person assisting such an officer or
employee in the performance of that officer’s duties; and
Fifth: in doing such acts, the defendant intentionally used a deadly or dangerous
weapon.
If the Court finds that the large metal sign or the flagpole are not dangerous weapons, the
Court may find the defendant guilty of felony assault under 18 U.S.C. § 111(a)(1), provided the
Count 3 relates to the defendant’s actions along the police line between approximately 1:37
p.m. and 1:41 p.m. involving the bike racks and the large metal sign. Count 5 relates to the
defendant’s actions, including throwing the flagpole, near the Tunnel at approximately 4:47 p.m.
To find the defendant guilty of Civil Disorder in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 231(a), the Court, as the
finder of fact, must be convinced that the government has proved each of the following beyond a
reasonable doubt:
Second: at the time of the defendant’s actual or attempted act, the law enforcement
officer or officers were engaged in the lawful performance of their official
duties incident to and during a civil disorder; and
Third: the civil disorder in any way or degree obstructed, delayed, or adversely
affected either commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in
commerce or the conduct or performance of any federally protected
function.
U.S.C. § 1512(c)(2), the Court, as the finder of fact, must be convinced that the government has
Third: the defendant acted knowingly, with awareness that the natural and probable
effect of his conduct would be to obstruct or impede the official proceeding;
and
The Court may also find the defendant guilty of Count 6 under an aiding and abetting
To find the defendant guilty of Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds
with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1752(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A), the
Court, as the finder of fact, must be convinced that the government has proved each of the
To find the defendant guilty of Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building
(b)(1)(A), the Court, as the finder of fact, must be convinced that the government has proved each
Second: that the defendant did so knowingly, and with the intent to impede or disrupt
the orderly conduct of Government business or official functions;
Third: that the defendant’s conduct occurred when, or so that, his conduct in fact
impeded or disrupted the orderly conduct of Government business or
official functions; and
Grounds with a Deadly or Dangerous Weapon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1752(a)(4) and (b)(1)(A),
the Court, as the finder of fact, must be convinced that the government has proved each of the
First: that the defendant engaged in any act of physical violence against any
person in any restricted building or grounds;
violation of 40 U.S.C. § 5104(e)(2)(D) the Court, as the finder of fact, must be convinced that the
First: that the defendant engaged in disorderly or disruptive conduct in any of the
United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds.
Second: that the defendant did so with the intent to impede, disrupt, or disturb the
orderly conduct of a session of Congress or either House of Congress.
To find the defendant guilty of Act of Physical Violence in the Capitol Grounds or
Buildings in violation of 40 U.S.C. § 5104(e)(2)(F) the Court, as the finder of fact, must be
convinced that the government has proved each of the following beyond a reasonable doubt:
First: that the defendant engaged in any act of physical violence in any of the
United States Capitol Buildings or Grounds, and
The government believes that the defendant may offer or attempt to offer evidence or
argument in support of the affirmative defenses of self-defense and/or defense of others. The
defendant may also argue that the large metal sign and the flagpole do not meet the definition of
a. Self-defense
The government believes that the defendant may try to argue that the police initiated the
violence on the West Plaza by pushing the defendant away from the barricades, spraying him with
pepper spray, and hitting his hands with their batons, and that, therefore, his subsequent assaults
A defendant charged under 18 U.S.C. § 111 may assert, as an affirmative defense, a theory
against an adversary when a person reasonably believes that he is in immediate danger of unlawful
bodily harm from his adversary and that the use of such force is necessary to avoid this danger.”
United States v. Middleton, 690 F.2d 820, 826 (11th Cir. 1982) (emphasis added).
conflict upon himself.” Waters v. Lockett, 896 F.3d 559, 569 (D.C. Cir. 2018) (internal quotation
marks and citation omitted). That principle applies fully to Section 111 prosecutions. See, e.g.,
United States v. Mumuni Saleh, 946 F.3d 97, 110 (2d Cir. 2019) (“Mumuni was the initial
aggressor in the altercation with Agent Coughlin; as such, he could not, as a matter of law, have
been acting in self-defense”); United States v. Acosta-Sierra, 690 F.3d 1111, 1126 (9th Cir. 2012)
(“[A]n individual who is the attacker cannot make out a claim of self-defense as a justification for
an assault.”).
This defense, however, contains two important limitations. First, Congress enacted Section
111 “to protect both federal officers and federal functions.” United States v. Feola, 420 U.S. 671,
679 (1975). As a result, “[a]n individual is not justified in using force for the purpose of resisting
arrest or other performance of duty by a law enforcement officer within the scope of his official
duties.” United States v. Drapeau, 644 F.3d 646, 653 (8th Cir. 2011); see also United States v.
Branch, 91 F.3d 699, 714 (5th Cir. 1996) (“[Self-defense] principles must accommodate a citizen’s
duty to accede to lawful government power and the special protection due federal officials
discharging official duties.”). Second, even in circumstances where an individual might be justified
in using some force to resist a federal officer, that resistance must be reasonable under those
circumstances. See Abrams v. United States, 237 F.2d 42, 43 (D.C. Cir. 1956) (observing that “the
use of ‘reasonable force’ only would have been open to defendants”); see also United States v.
Wallace, 368 F.2d 537, 538 (4th Cir. 1966) (explaining that Section 111 permits “reasonable force
employed in a justifiable belief that it is exerted in self-defense”); United States v. Perkins, 488
F.2d 652, 655 (1st Cir. 1973) (defendant may be convicted under Section 111 where “he used more
force than was necessary to protect the person or property of himself or others”).
Both limitations apply here. The evidence in this case will show that the defendant had
illegally entered a restricted area of the U.S. Capitol and was therefore subject to arrest. The video
further shows that officers instructed him to back up and to not touch the barriers. At no point did
any officer use excessive force against the defendant. Cf. Drapeau, 644 F.3d 646, 653-654 (“[A]n
individual may be justified in using force to resist excessive force used by a law enforcement
officer.”). Because the video evidence shows officers lawfully defending the Capitol against a
violent, non-compliant, and unlawfully present crowd, the defendant was not justified in using any
force to resist an arrest or to move past a police line. He cannot therefore argue self-defense.
Moreover, even if the defendant had the right to resist the officers in some fashion, the
video evidence will show that the defendant escalated the encounter into a violent attack on the
officers. See Waters v. Lockett 896 F.3d 559, 570 (D.C. Cir. 2018) (self-defense not applicable “if
[the defendant] and his co-conspirators used excessive force to repel Hargrove’s attack”). This is
especially true in situations like this one, where the defendant returned to confront officers after
b. Defense of Others
The government believes that the defendant may try to argue that he threw the flagpole at
another rioter who he believed was about to attack officers at the mouth of the Tunnel, and that he
only hit the officers because the other rioter ducked as the pole was thrown.
The “defense of others” defense is founded on the same principles and carries the same
limitations as the defense of self-defense. In United States v. Slatten, 395 F. Supp. 3d 45, 112-113
(D.D.C. 2018), a federal murder case, District Court Judge Royce C. Lamberth instructed the jury
on defense-of-others as follows:
Id. Judge Lamberth drew that instruction from the “Redbook.” See id. (citing Barbra Bergman,
Criminal Jury Instructions for the District of Columbia §§ 9.500, 9.501(B)-(C), 9.503 (5th ed.
2018)).
A defendant must therefore satisfy five elements for a defense-of-others claim: (1) the
defendant actually believed that another person was in danger of injury; (2) that belief was
reasonable; (3) the defendant actually believed that the use of force was necessary to defend the
person against the danger; (4) that belief was reasonable as well; and (5) the defendant used a
reasonable amount of force in response. See Slatten, 395 F. Supp. 3d at 112-113; accord Pattern
Criminal Jury Instructions of the Seventh Circuit, 6.01 (2012 ed.) (“A person may use force when
he reasonably believes that force is necessary to defend [himself/another person] against the
imminent use of unlawful force.”); Wayne R. LaFave, Substantive Criminal Law § 10.5, Defense-
of-others (Dec. 2021) (“[O]ne is justified in using reasonable force in defense-of-others person,
even a stranger, when he reasonably believes that the other is in immediate danger of unlawful
bodily harm from his adversary and that the use of such force is necessary to avoid this danger.”).
Moreover, the defendant has the initial burden of production to raise a defense-of-others
claim. See United States v. Branch, 91 F.3d 699, 712 (5th Cir. 1996) (concerning the analytically
identical self-defense justification). Only after the defendant meets his burden of production does
the government have the burden to disprove the defense beyond a reasonable doubt. See id. The
claim. See id. For the defendant to satisfy the initial burden of production, “there must be evidence
[in the trial record] sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in [the defendant’s] favor.” Mathews v.
The defendant may argue that the large metal sign and/or the flagpole do not qualify as
An object may be a “deadly or dangerous weapon” in one of two ways. First, an object is
dangerous weapons include guns, knives, and the like. Second, if the object is not inherently or
obviously dangerous or deadly, an object is a deadly or dangerous weapon if the object is capable
of causing serious bodily injury or death to another person and the defendant used it in that manner.
In determining whether the object is a “deadly or dangerous weapon,” the Court, as the finder of
fact, may consider both the physical capabilities of the object used and the manner in which the
The term “serious bodily injury” means bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of
death; extreme physical pain; medical intervention such as surgery, hospitalization, or physical
Due the size of the large metal sign and the way that it was used by the defendant and other
rioters to ram against the police line, the government believes the evidence will establish beyond
a reasonable doubt that it qualifies as a dangerous or deadly weapon. Similarly, due to the way
the defendant threw the flagpole, and due to the fact that it hit an officer in the head, the government
believes that the evidence will establish that the flagpole also qualifies as a dangerous or deadly
V. Conclusion
The government anticipates that its case-in-chief will take approximately two trial days.
The government requests approximately 10 minutes for its opening statement and approximately
Respectfully submitted,
MATTHEW M. GRAVES
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
D.C. Bar No. 481 052