“The United States submits this pleading to inform the Court regarding the current status of defense counsel John Pierce, Esq., and its potential impact on the defendant’s case. Mr. Pierce currently represents 17 defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, riot at the United States Capitol (Capitol Riot), including Defendant Casey Cusick, who has been charged in this case. I Sadly, Mr. Pierce is reportedly ill with COVID-19, on a ventilator, and unresponsive. For roughly the past week, Ryan Marshall – an associate from Mr. Pierce’s law firm who is not a licensed attorney – has been appearing in Mr. Pierce’s place at court hearings” – Court filing via NBC Washington’s Scott MacFarlane in the case against Capitol rioter Casey Cusick.
“All I know is the entire 82nd Airborne couldn’t make me get an experimental government vaccine stuck in my arm” Pierce tweeted on August 17th. He was probably already infected by then.