Joseph Hurley, an attorney for accused Capitol rioter Anthony Antonio argued that Fox News played a significant role in his client’s actions on that day in January earlier this year, Huff Post reports.
During a virtual hearing, a lawyer stated that Antonio had begun watching Fox News when he lost his job at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. After watching the network, Antonio became hooked onto what the attorney is calling “Foxitus” or “Foxmania.”
“For the next approximate six months, Fox television played constantly,” Hurley said. “He became hooked with what I call ‘Foxitus’ or ‘Foxmania’ and became interested in the political aspect and started believing what was being fed to him.”
While storming the Capitol Hill, Antonio is caught on camera saying, “You want war? We got war. 1776 all over again.”
Antonio deals with multiple accusations due to that January day, including climbing the scaffolding outside the Capitol, accessing the building through a smashed window, grabbing a riot shield and gas mask.
Then there’s the participation when it comes to threatening police and squirting water at Michael Fanone, the police officer who was hauled down a set of stairs by rioters and frequently tased and beaten.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
