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Coeymans supervisor writes to judge on behalf of insurrectionist
Robert Gavin reports in the Times Union that Coeymans Town Supervisor George McHugh wrote a letter to a federal judge asking for leniency for William Tryon, a local farmer who pleaded guilty to taking part in the Jan. 6, 2021 attempted coup of the U.S. government. "I hope you find it in your judgment to sentence him to a punishment that is commensurate with his actions of that fateful day, absent a period of incarceration," McHugh wrote the judge. McHugh made sure the judge knew he was Coeymans town supervisor, but McHugh, who is a lawyer, wrote as if he did not know that Tryon had pleaded guilty, when he already had. He wrote that he was "aware of the accusations and charges levied against Bill" and was "completely taken back by what has been stated he did" and called Tryon's admitted conduct "allegations." Video shows Tryon storming the capitol, and also standing atop a vehicle there that day singing Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It." Assistant U.S. Attorney Anita Eve said Tryon did not express remorse.until an interview for a pre-sentencing report. "It is only when the consequences of his actions have caught up to him that he is showing any regret," she stated, "But, there have to be consequences, rather than a mere slap on the wrist." Tryon, 71, was sentenced on Jan. 14 to 50 days in jail with a $1,000 fine and $500 in restitution. Read more about this story in the Times Union.