(Chris Parker, Headline USA) Mark Aungst, a Pennsylvania man who pleaded guilty to illegally entering the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021, has committed suicide, reported Legal Insurrection.
The 47-year-old man leaves behind two daughters. Aungst was facing up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine. His sentencing was scheduled for late September.
While Aungst admitted to entering the Capitol illegally, there was no evidence that he assaulted anyone or damaged government property. He was charged only with “demonstrating or parading in a restricted building.”
Aungst joins several others who have committed suicide after their involvement in the demonstration. That list includes both participants and police officers.
Matthew Perna, another Pennsylvania man, also killed himself in March. Like Aungst, he also remained peaceful as he walked past two officers who didn’t try to stop him. He was facing four charges, even though he didn’t cause any damage or altercations.
Those charges included obstruction of an official proceeding, aiding and abetting, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.
His trials kept getting delayed by government officials, but the 37-year-old was facing a potential 6-year sentence. He was inside the building for approximately 20 minutes.
Four of the police officers involved in the Jan. 6 demonstration killed themselves last year. Two killed themselves a few days after, and the other two took their lives later that year. One of those officers, Howard Liebengood, was scheduled several long shifts immediately after Jan. 6.
The government has been criticized for punishing the Jan. 6 protestors while showing leniency towards the so-called Colbert 9. Nine crew members from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert illegally entered restricted areas and confronted congressional representatives on Jan. 16, 2022. Colbert has defended them for “just doing their jobs.”
All charges against the Colbert 9 have been dropped. The Capitol Police called that decision “unfortunate.”
