Attorney for Christopher Worrell, Department of Justice persuade judge as sentencing looms
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Counsel for an East Naples man convicted for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection is asking the judge for a reduced sentence while the Department of Justice seeks more than a decade behind bars.
Christopher Worrell, 52, opted to let a judge hear the evidence rather than going before a jury.
On Thursday, attorney William Shipley, who represented Worrell during his trial, asked the court impose two-and-a-half years in home detention, citing medical complications Worrell has faced since he was charged in the mob.
Worrell has argued the U.S. Government and D.C. Jail systems denied access to his life-saving non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma cancer treatment, or any medications since his detention on March 12, 2021.
In response, the Department of Justice on Sunday asked U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth to sentence Worrell to 14 years years in prison; three years of supervised release; $2,000 in restitution; a fine of up to $181,000; and $610 in mandatory special assessments, which are imposed on defendants convicted of federal crimes.
On Jan. 6, 2021, after President Donald Trump's reelection loss, a mob of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol Building. The mob hoped to prevent Congress from counting electoral college votes and keep then-President-elect Joe Biden from power.
A video of the attack appeared to show Worrell and others accused of storming the building, attacking police officers, breaking building windows and wreaking other damage.
Worrell's trial took 10 days, with the verdict delivered by Lamberth on May 12.
Worrell had pleaded not guilty to all the original charges. He faced 19 counts.
Lamberth found Worrell guilty of seven counts:
Obstruction of an official proceeding.
Entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds with a deadly or dangerous weapon.
Act of physical violence in the U.S. Capitol grounds or buildings.
Civil disorder.
Assaulting, resisting or impeding certain officers using a dangerous weapon.
More than 1,000 people have been charged with federal crimes as of late July for their roles in the riot — more than 500 have pleaded guilty and 382 have been sentenced. Of those, at least 510 people have received sentences.
Worrell is among at least 111 Florida residents charged in connection with the mob.
Worrell's girlfriend and court-approved custodian, Trish Priller, 52, who used to work for the Naples Daily News, acknowledged a request, but didn't have further comment.
Shipley couldn't immediately be reached for comment. According to court documents is he is based in Kailua, Hawaii — about 78 miles northwest from Lahaina, where deadly wildfires swept last week with alarming speed and strength, killing at least 93.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Twitter @TomasFRoBeltran.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Both sides address judge as sentencing looms for Christopher Worrell
