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Government Corruption

New Verdict in Capitol Riot Case Throws a Wrench Into Political Narrative

2022-04-07

[RedState] A federal defense contractor who had been charged with four misdemeanors for walking into the Capitol on Jan. 6, fought the charges and was acquitted on all counts today by Judge Trevor McFadden. Matthew Martin was charged with: entering and remaining in a restricted building, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, ~~violent~~ mostly peaceful entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, as well as parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a Capitol building.

But Martin didn’t commit any violence or break into the building. He argued that he believed that the Capitol Police had allowed him into the building, and he just walked in.

From Politico:

McFadden said that, based on video of the scene, that assertion was at least "plausible" and that prosecutors failed to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.

"People were streaming by and the officers made no attempt to stop the people," said the judge [....]

"I do think the defendant reasonably believed the officers allowed him into the Capitol," the judge said.

McFadden said that the government did not show any evidence of Martin crossing police lines, and that Martin’s "conduct was about as minimal....as I can imagine."

This is a significant verdict. While some are charged with more serious offenses, many of the people charged for Jan. 6 offenses are in a similar position to Martin — they didn’t do much beyond walk into the building. Some have argued — as Martin did — that the police let them in.

McFadden has pointed out disparities in the way Jan. 6 defendants have been treated in the past. He said that he thinks there is a difference in the way that the prosecutors are handling the Jan. 6 cases versus cases in the past (that may have involved leftist protesters).

Posted by:trailing wife

#10 Weren't thinking.

Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-07 09:39

#9 Many thought they'd be fighting antifa. Others intended on going inside. Most took selfies.

Posted by: The Walking Unvaxed 2022-04-07 09:34

#8 The J6 people are being put through the wringer. That said, they just weren't thinking when they went there.

Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-07 09:30

#7 The whole Capitol picnic thing was a peaceful demonstration with a touch of disobedience. The next one will be an American Spring. If the real Right does not take that fork in the road... the future is horrible.

Everyone has to fight once in their history to restore or upend order. People will rise. I am sure.
Posted by Dron66046

My feeling is most Americans won't do a thing other than bitch on their keyboards. For those who try, it is very difficult to organize. We had a commenter here saying he was afraid because he has a job and family to protect, other commenters said too old and not their problem. 40% of Americans get angry if you don't wear a mask in public.

Posted by: The Walking Unvaxed 2022-04-07 09:27

#6

Justice in DC....?
Has my whole perceived concept of the LSD Controlled DOJ has been upended? ☺

Or is it that even the Federal Judges can see the LSD's don't stand a Snowballs chance in July of keeping the House or Senate?

Posted by: NN2N1 2022-04-07 07:46

#5 The "operatives" are looking for more Michigan kidnap buffoons and Tsarnaev Brothers. The will be in a world of hurt when they come up against anyone smarter than they are.

Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-07 06:52

#4 Yes. Guerrilla and decentralised. Low Intensity. I'll bet half the military and capable vets will get in on this. Which is why the hunt for 'extremists' in the forces. They want to deny training and experience to anyone not from the personality types they can control.

Posted by: Dron66046 2022-04-07 06:32

#3 Meeting them on their own turf is dumb. Making "operatives" disappear while working in the hinterlands is the way to go.

Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-07 06:20

#2 The whole Capitol picnic thing was a peaceful demonstration with a touch of disobedience. The next one will be an American Spring. If the real Right does not take that fork in the road... the future is horrible.

Everyone has to fight once in their history to restore or upend order. People will rise. I am sure.

Posted by: Dron66046 2022-04-07 06:11

#1 Coming soon. First ever acquittal reversed on appeal from the InJustice Dept.

Posted by: M. Murcek 2022-04-07 04:54

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