Gillespie, according to prosecutors, was involved in a different type of battle on Jan. 6, 2021. He joined rioters in trying to take control of the U.S. Capitol from the federal government. This confrontation was one of the most violent of the riot.
Investigators claim that Gillespie was one of a group trying to force its way through the tunnel at the Lower West Terrace. This assault almost succeeded according to his description.
Gillespie told an Associated Press journalist on the spot that day, showing blood from the clash, “We were almost overwhelming them.” “I think we could have won it if you had another 15, 20 men behind us pushing, I think.”
The AP video of Gillespie, a flushed man who was seen outside the Capitol talking defiantly and about his involvement in the attack, shows both the resolve of many of those involved and the uncertainty felt by others about what they would do once inside.
It is evident, federal authorities said that Gillespie was involved in a violent struggle with law enforcement officials to stop rioters entering the building. This occurred as a joint session Congress was engaged in certifying Electoral College ballots.
A resident of Athol, Massachusetts was seen outside the Capitol pouring water in his eyes, apparently to counter the effects from chemical sprays used to control crowds.
Gillespie said that he was one of those who attempted to storm the building. Gillespie stated that he and others attempted to break through an opening.
“I was with other guys. Then we started to push against them, and they beat us and put that pepper spray stuff into your eyes. Gillespie said that there were a lot of people behind us,” AP reported.
“What you guys must know, and nobody is going to hear this, we were very close.” He said that if more people were behind him, “then there are those second set of doors, we would have just burst though it.”
Gillespie’s day was less clear than it was for the others.
“I wish they would flood in so they don’t have to do anything. That is what I would like them to do. It’s your turn. It is yours to keep. It will be yours for a few days. He said that he was not an anarchist but that he couldn’t stand what had happened in this election. This apparent reference was to the claims of former President Donald Trump of stealing his election.
Gillespie hesitated before naming his country of origin, even though he was quick in revealing his name to the AP reporter.
He said, hesitating, “They’ll follow me, man,” before adding, “I am in Massachusetts.”
Gillespie was eventually charged with seven criminal charges, including assaulting officers, civil disorder and disorderly conduct at the Capitol. Gillespie has pleaded not guilty.
In connection with Jan. 6’s assault, in which the pro Trump mob tried to stop Joe Biden’s 2020 victory certificate being certified, he was one of over 775 people who were arrested in all 50 states and in the District of Columbia. Rioters broke through doors, smashed windows and beat law enforcement officers, who were not adequately prepared for the mob.
Vincent Gillespie is Gregory Gillespie’s son. His self-portraits as well as fantasy landscapes and geometric abstractions can be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Fine Arts Boston.
Gillespie also has a long-running, but ultimately unsuccessful legal battle against his stepmother and her attorneys to regain control of his paintings. Vincent Gillespie, his father, described his father in a 2020 court filing as a well-known artist who left over 400 paintings.
Investigators stated that Gillespie’s involvement in the Jan. 6 2021 events is well documented. They also have photos and videos that help tippers identify him.
According to the Justice Department, multiple images were captured by security cameras and open-source video of Gillespie during the riot.
The former neighbor and the manager of a local hardware shop and the employees of Athol where Gillespie attends meetings, pays his taxes at the town hall, tipped the investigators off. Six witnesses were able to identify him using images from the riot.
According to the FBI, Gillespie pushed, shoved, yelled, pushed, and fought with the police in the chaos of the uprising. The FBI has images of Gillespie fighting through crowds, finally navigating through them to reach the police line and grabbing a shield.
Officials said that he was seen on the body cam of a Metropolitan Police Department Officer pushing through the crowd using a shield to push officers. He shouted “traitor” at one officer and “treason” at another.
Gillespie, 60, was arrested and ordered by a judge not to travel to Washington except for court-related matters. Gillespie was prohibited from possessing a firearm or any other weapon.
Gillespie will next appear in court before U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell of District of Columbia on April 29.
Gillespie refused to comment when he was contacted by the AP after his arrest.
“My attorney advised against it. “There are only downsides,” he said to the AP. “I would like to speak. There is a lot of wrong stuff out there.
Gillespie is not the first to appear in court.
Gillespie had won a $15 parking ticket contest years before, despite having to pay $250 filing fees. Gillespie won the fight against the filing fee which was non-refundable all the way to the top court of the state in 2011.
He didn’t receive a refund.
