Rocky Hardy of Texas took the stand Friday after he entered into an agreement with prosecutors which grants him immunity from crimes that were discussed in his testimony.
Hardy claimed he brought a loaded handgun and a shoulder sling with him to the Capitol. Reffitt also brought firearms.
Hardy claimed that he didn’t see Reffitt with a gun on his person when they made their way towards the Capitol. However, he testified to Reffitt having the handgun on his hip all the time leading up to the attack on January 6.
Wylie, Texas native Reffitt is being tried for transporting a rifle, a semi-automatic pistol, and other items to Washington, D.C. He then allegedly carried the handgun onto the U.S. Capitol grounds, where it was alleged that he participated in the January 6th riot and threatened law enforcement officers.
He was also charged with obstruction, illegally entering Capitol Complex and obstructing Congress’ counting of 2020 Electoral College votes. This process ultimately affirmed Joe Biden’s victory against Donald Trump.
Hardy said that he met Reffitt in Texas when they were both members of the Texas Three Percenters. He said, “They support law enforcement” and “they believe in supporting the Constitution.” Hardy stated that Reffitt was responsible for investigating new members of the group and held meetings at his house.
Hardy stated that he and Reffitt had “similar views” on Congress and believed that Trump had “stolen the 2020 presidential election.”
Prosecutors asked Hardy whether he believed that the election had been stolen. He replied, “Today. Yes, I do.” Referring to it as a “catastrophic” event.
Hardy stated that he would travel to Washington, D.C., on January 6, to try to stop Congress from certifying the votes. “They would not certify the vote that day if they saw us there,” he said.
Hardy shared with Reffitt their thoughts about “getting the bastards from there” as they traveled together to Washington. Hardy joked that Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, had to be “dragged by her ankles or feet or something” before her head “boom-boom boom” down Capitol Steps.
Hardy said, however, that he believed it impossible to break into the Capitol at that time.
Hardly said that Reffitt and he were the only members of Texas Three Percenters who made the 24-hour drive to Washington, D.C., just in time for the Capitol riot. Both brought handguns and semiautomatic rifles with them on their trip. They assembled the rifles in their hotel parking lot on January 6, 2021, anticipating violence.
Although he claimed they had brought the rifles on the trip, they were aware that it was against Washington, D.C. Law. He stated that they believed it was better to have the case tried by 12 jurors than be carried by six.
Hardy spoke out about the fears he had with Reffitt, saying that there could be violence in the streets due to violent groups like ANTIFA. “If these people were causing harm to other human beings, then they would be used against us with ARs.” Hardy stated that Reffitt gave him the zip ties at that point. The assembled rifles were left in the car of the couple and they did not transport them to the Capitol.
The FBI did not find any evidence that ANTIFA was involved in the January 6 rioting.
Hardy recalled that the pair headed first to the National Mall. They took pictures while the large crowd listened and took photos. Hardy claimed they didn’t stop to listen.
Hardy stated that Reffitt separated from Hardy, but they remained in radio contact. He said that he saw rioters climbing on the scaffolding as he made his way to Capitol grounds.
Hardy claimed he didn’t scale the Capitol walls or climb the steps, but was close enough to get inside the building.
Reffitt met Hardy in their D.C. hotel rooms after the attack on the Capitol. Hardy claimed that Reffitt recalled trying to get into the Capitol building but was forced to stop by being pelted with pepperballs and sprayed chemical irritants.
Hardy stated that Reffitt had said to him, “I made it possible” for others to enter the building.
Investigators believe Reffitt and Hardy returned to Texas where Reffitt’s spouse and children live.
Reffitt told his daughter and son days later that he was a traitor and would have to turn me in. You know what happens when traitors get killed. Jackson, Reffitt’s son, , testified Thursday.
Reffitt met Hardy by Zoom after the attack and shared their experiences with the Three Percenters. Reffitt was later arrested, while Hardy began talking to investigators.
Guy Reffitt has pleaded not guilty on all five charges and made several unsuccessful attempts to get some of the charges dropped.
William Welch was Reffitt’s defense attorney and he questioned Hardy about the deal with prosecutors. The witness replied, “Somebody in government is going to decide whether I lied or not lie.” Hardy stated that he had traveled to Mexico and Florida since January 6th for work, but has not been charged.
Hardy, as his partner in travel, looked on. He said that he would soon be traveling to Thailand to conduct business.
