For the first time, a federal judge has approved a refund for a January 6 rioter whose conviction was erased by US President Donald Trump’s blanket pardon.
US District Judge John Bates authorized a $2,200 refund to Yvonne St Cyr, who had been convicted of felony charges but later saw her case dropped after the pardon. The judge said he was uneasy with the decision, writing that sometimes judges must follow the law even when it feels at odds with justice. In March, President Trump had suggested the idea of a “compensation fund” for people involved in the attack on the US Capitol. Soon after, Trump’s Justice Department supported the idea in court filings, saying that defendants whose convictions were wiped out should also receive refunds for restitution they had paid toward repairing damages to the Capitol.
Details Of Yvonne St Cyr’s Case
St Cyr was convicted two years ago on two felony counts for impeding police during the Capitol riot. She was sentenced to 30 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution. She showed no remorse for her actions at the time. With Trump’s pardon, her prison sentence was canceled, and now she is also receiving her restitution money back.
Most people convicted for their roles in the January 6 attack were required to pay restitution to the Architect of the Capitol, the office responsible for maintaining the building. Felony convictions usually required $2,000 in restitution, while misdemeanors carried $500. These payments helped cover an estimated $3 million in damage caused during the attack.
How Much Money Was Collected?
According to CBS News, about $437,000 in restitution was collected from January 6 defendants. With Trump’s pardons and the Justice Department’s support for refunds, money is now expected to flow back to those who were convicted but later pardoned.
The refund to St Cyr is the first, but it is unlikely to be the last. Other January 6 rioters who were pardoned are expected to receive similar repayments.
