Douglas Hughes, the 61-year-old man who landed his gyrocopter at the U.S. Capitol April 15, rejected another plea deal Wednesday. He flew his gyrocopter from Gettysburg, Pa., to Washington, D.C., as a sign of protest to the influence of big money on politics in the United States, reported the Daily Mail.
Hughes is now facing a trial since the 10-month prison sentence the prosecutors offered him expired yesterday. The postal worker from Ruskin, Fla., could possibly face up to nine and a half years of imprisonment on six felony and misdemeanor crimes, reported the Washington Post.
He wants to accept the consequences of his actions, but the government doesn't want it to be easy for him, said Assistant Federal Public Defender Tony Miles. Hughes only wants to serve six months or less in prison, or to serve part of his sentence at home or through community service. The prosecutors noted the man's civil disobedience, which is the basis of the charges, added the Washington Post.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tejpal Chewla said the use of the gyrocopter wasn't anticipated, and Congress cannot declare anything based on textbook. The gyrocopter, according to a witness, seemed to be a chair fit for the lawn with a propeller powered by a tiny motor, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Hughes wants this incident to raise a spark all over the United States, and wants people to protest against the hundreds of members of Congress who become millionaires after their short term as lobbyists, added the Tampa Bay Times.
Hughes requested the court let him hire First Amendment specialist lawyer Mark Goldstone, using money from an unknown group that wants to support him. Chewla mentioned prosecutors did not have a position about this, according to the Washington Post.
