Capitol Riot's Alleged 'Pink Hat Lady' To Be Released From Jail

Pittsburgh PA

12 February, 2021

8:49 AM

Description

BUTLER, PA — Rachel Powell, the so-called "Pink Hat Lady" and "Bullhorn Lady" facing criminal charges for her alleged role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, will be released from the Butler County Prison Friday to await her trial at home. A federal judge in Washington, D.C. on Thursday upheld a ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Pupo, a federal judge in Pittsburgh, that Powell can return to her home in Sandy Lake, Mercer County, under electronic home monitoring. Powell's release was ordered despite prosecutors showing video of Powell using a large pipe to break a Capitol window, providing instructions to rioters on getting inside the building and pushing up against a police line, CNN reported. But Judge Beryl Howell noted the Department of Justice had agreed to let two reported members of the Proud Boys group who allegedly participated in the insurrection, to be released pending their trials. She questioned whether all defendants arrested in connection with the riots were being treated equally. Powell, 40, is charged with obstruction, depredation of government property, entering a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon, entering a restricted building or grounds, and violent entry or disorderly conduct. She admitted in an interview with the New Yorker magazine that she was present at the riot, and used a megaphone to direct rioters attempting to enter the Capitol building. Powell is one of a growing number of Pennsylvania residents to be arrested for allegedly participating in the Capitol insurrection by supporters of former President Donald Trump. Be the first to know what's happening in your town and area. Sign up for free to get Patch emails and don't miss a minute of local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.