A federal judge on Thursday rejected an appeal by federal prosecutors for pre-trial detention of a Mercer County woman accused of breaking a window at the U.S. Capitol and organizing rioters by using a bullhorn.
Rachel Marie Powell, of Sandy Lake, is facing multiple charges for her alleged role during the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington.
Judge Beryl A. Howell denied the prosecutors’ motion after she said they didn’t provide enough evidence to prove that Powell would be a flight risk. Powell attended the hearing remotely from the Butler County jail with her attorney, Michael Engle.
Thursday afternoon, prosecutors presented pictures and videos that they say showed Powell – wearing a pink hat – smashing a window with a pipe, shouting orders to the crowd and pushing against police lines.
“She is front and center in the incursion,” a prosecutor said.
Howell said the combined actions of the rioters to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power “was so unpatriotic, it makes my straight hair curl.”
The evidence presented of Powell’s actions at the capitol “clearly weighs in favor of pre-trial detention,” Howell said.
The judge was critical of Powell, saying she was “excited to be a part of the insurrection” and showed little remorse for her actions.
“Even in the aftermath of this tragic event, the defendant tried to bring even more attention to herself by sitting down for a interview with The New Yorker,” Howell said.
In Powell’s interview with Ronan Farrow of The New Yorker, she identified herself as the “Bullhorn Lady” and “Pink Hat Lady.”
“If you really want to avoid law enforcement, why do the interview,” Howell said. “No matter how charming that reporter might be… why do that.”
Engle referenced the interview and said Powell hired him to negotiate the terms of her surrender to prove she had no interest in becoming a fugitive.
Howell said that “is a nail in the coffin” for prosecutors’ arguments that Powell planned to flee.
“So this factor weighs in favor of release,” Howell said.
The judge said Powell must be in contact weekly with pre-trail services, is restricted to only traveling in the western district of Pennsylvania and is not to possess firearms and other weapons.
She must also submit to location monitoring and is restricted to her residence at all times – except for approved activities.
“She is required to wear a mask should she leave her residence,” Howell said.
Powell has expressed disdain in the past for Gov. Tom Wolf’s mask requirements.
