JACOB CHANSLEY, the “QAnon Shaman,” was sentenced Wednesday to 41 months in federal prison for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol (Shutterstock).

A prison sentence of 41 months has been handed down to Jacob Chansley, the “QAnon Shaman” with spear and horns who is one of the best-known participants in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Chansley pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing a public proceeding. According to the Associated Press, he admitted to being among the first to storm the building, the intent of which was to prevent the certification by Congress of the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as president and vice president.

“I have no excuse,” he told U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth. “No excuses whatsoever. My behavior is indefensible.”

The New York Times reports that Chansley wanted a pardon from President Donald Trump and offered to testify in Trump’s defense at his second impeachment trial.

So far over 600 people have been arrested in connection with the incident, which has been described as a riot and an insurrection. Over 30 have been sentenced.

Exoneration for alleged killers of Malcolm X?

MALCOLM X (Library of Congress)

The two men convicted in 1966 of the killing of civil rights leader Malcolm X may be exonerated posthumously. United Press International reports that the New York attorney general’s office is planning to ask a judge to vacate the convictions of Muhammad A. Aziz and Khalil Islam because of new evidence that’s come to light.

A third man, Talmadge Hayer (later known as Mujahid Abdul Halim) confessed to the crime in 1965.

Malcolm X was a leader of the “Black Muslim” – officially the Nation of Islam – who advocated for Black separatism for most of this public career before moderating his views not long before his assassination.

Also in the News …

• A member of Congress who posted a video edited to show him killing a Congresswoman and attacking President Joe Biden was censured by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The vote was 223-207 – largely along party lines – to censure Rep. Paul Cosar (R-Arizona), who will keep his seat but lose his committee assignments, according to USA Today.
• President Joe Biden on Wednesday asked the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the possibility that oil and gas companies were unfairly raising prices on gasoline at the pump to the consumer.

Sports: Ray, Burnes win Cy Young Awards

The 2021 Cy Young Award for best pitcher in the American League has been awarded to Robbie Ray of the Toronto Blue Jays. He posted a 13-7 record with a 2.84 earned run average.

The National League winner was Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers.  He had  a 2.43 ERA and struck out 234 batters in 157 innings. The Most Valuable Player winners will be revealed on Thursday.

Weather: Some clouds, some sun

The forecast for the West Orange County area for Thursday calls for a daytime high of 71 (overnight low of 53) and partly cloudy skies. The thermometer is expected to dip a bit to 69 (52) on Thursday with mostly cloudy skies. In the coastal areas of Huntington Beach, the Thursday high should be 67 (55) and Friday at 66 (53) under mostly cloudy skies both days.

Stocks: Wall Street takes a tumble

All three major stock indexes declined on Wednesday. At the closing bell, Dow Jones Industrial average was down by 211.7 points to 35,931.05. The S&P 500 showed a decline of 12.23 points to 4,688.67 and Nasdaq fell by 52.28 points to 15,921.57.