A Capitol riot suspect from Mercer County nicknamed the "bullhorn lady" and "pink hat lady" is having a public defender appointed after telling a federal judge on Monday she can't afford to pay her attorney.

During a hearing in the District of Columbia, Magistrate G. Michael Harvey granted Rachel Powell's request for a court-appointed lawyer.

According to a court document, Powell no longer appeared to meet financial obligations with the attorney she hired to defend her. 

The magistrate ordered that Powell will be required to make monthly payments to cover the costs of her defense counsel.

The Sandy Lake resident faces multiple counts 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.
 
 

 

Powell and six other people from the Valley have been charged in connection with the insurrection at the Capitol. Two of those charged have pleaded guilty and await sentencing.