A federal judge has accepted an explanation and apology from a Capitol riot suspect from Mercer County and her lawyer as to why the so-nicknamed "bullhorn lady" and "pink hat lady" wore a mesh face mask in violation of a court order.

U.S. District Court Judge Royce Lambeth issued an order on Tuesday discharging his earlier show-cause order demanding to know why Rachel Powell was seen wearing the see-through mask on a video posted on social media.

In his order, Judge Lambeth acknowledged Powell's claim that she didn't wear the mask to mock his order that she wear a face covering when out in public.

Powell's response included letters from members of her church testifying that Powell was usually seen wearing an opaque covering over her nose and mouth.

In addition,  the judge accepted the claim by defense attorney Michael Engle that he told Powell to never wear the mesh mask and never advised her to dispose of the mask.

 

As a result, Powell will not be held in contempt and can continue to be free from incarceration as she awaits trial.

 

 

The 40-year-old Sandy Lake resident faces multiple accounts including obstruction, destruction of US property over $1,000, entering a restricted building or property with a dangerous weapon, entering a restricted building/property, and disorderly conduct.

According to an affidavit, during national news coverage of the capitol riot on Jan. 6 in Washington D.C.,  the video footage showed a woman in a pink hat, a black jacket with a fur-lined hoodie using a bullhorn telling others how to gain control of the Capitol. Investigators say they later identified the woman as Powell.

Once inside, the affidavit says Powell was seen using the bullhorn to give instructions about the layout of the building and instructing others on how to "take this building." She also noted that they “have another window to break," according to the affidavit.