The 'QAnon Shaman's' lawyer is soliciting 'letters of support' for his client in a 4th bid for freedom after 3 failed attempts

Jacob Chansley, also known as the QAnon Shaman, inside the Capitol on January 6.

Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

• The "QAnon Shaman's" lawyer is requesting letters of support on behalf of his infamous client.
• Jacob Chansley has thrice been denied pre-trial and pre-sentencing release since his January arrest.
• Chansley pled guilty to one felony last month and heads to sentencing on November 17.

The lawyer representing "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Chansley, is making a fourth bid at securing freedom for his infamous Capitol riot client after his three previous attempts to win his release over the last nine months failed.

Attorney Albert Watkins in a Thursday press release announced he is soliciting "letters of support" on behalf of Chansley, who pleaded guilty last month to a felony charge of obstructing Congress.

Adorned with horns, a headdress, and face paint, Chansley became one of the most recognizable faces at the Capitol on January 6. He was photographed walking with his bullhorn and flagpole throughout the building that day and was arrested three days later in his hometown of Phoenix, Arizona, where he was charged with two felonies and four misdemeanors.

In the months since the attack, Chansley's notoriety has only grown with the help of a jailhouse interview, specific accommodation requests, and frequent updates from Watkins.

Since Chansley was arrested in January, US District Judge Royce C. Lamberth has thrice denied his requests for pre-trial and pre-sentencing release, citing a continued risk that Chansley might flee.

Prosecutors have previously alleged that Chansley's standing in the QAnon community posed a concern that his fellow conspirators could help him raise money to flee - a possibility Lamberth also cited in his most recent September decision. But last month, Watkins said Chansley had "repudiated the moniker Q" and rejected the tenets of the conspiracy group.

Now, Watkins is making yet another bid for Chansley's freedom, this time, ahead of his final sentencing date. The defendant is set to be sentenced next month, and Watkins is encouraging "the nation" to "weigh in" with support that Chansley be released at the hearing.

"This case is now solely about Mr. Chansley," Watkins said. "Appropriately, this case is no longer about the words and actions of a former President, the impeachment proceedings, the continued political divide in our country, but rather, it is about a young man established to have a longstanding professionally diagnosed mental health vulnerability."

In his previous motions, Watkins has cited Chansley's deteriorating mental health as reason for his release. The attorney has said that Chansley spends up to 23 hours a day in solitary confinement, despite not being violent.

"More importantly, this is not a case which involves a question of guilt, it is a question now of culpability and whether nine months of solitary confinement for a young, peaceful, smart, caring young man with mental health issues is sufficient to warrant release," Watkins said.

Chansley heads to sentencing on November 17, where sentencing guidelines suggest he could face 41 to 51 months in prison.

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