Maryville, Tenn. – A Tennessee resident implicated in the violent breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, was found guilty on Wednesday of plotting to murder FBI agents tasked with investigating his role in the unrest. Edward Kelley, 35, could face life in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for May 7.
Edward Kelley’s radical intentions surfaced following his participation in the January 6 attack, where demonstrators opposed to the 2020 election results stormed the Capitol in an attempt to obstruct the certification of Joe Biden’s presidential victory. This incident has been a focal point of extensive federal investigations targeting those involved.
During a three-day trial, evidence presented included Kelley’s formulation of a so-called “kill list” comprising names of FBI personnel and other officials probing the Capitol riots. In a chilling revelation, a co-defendant, who has since pleaded guilty to participating in the plot, revealed plans which included assaults on the Knoxville FBI Field Office using car bombs and drone-deployed incendiary devices.
Further plots outlined stark scenarios of targeted killings at FBI agents’ residences and public settings, including movie theaters. This extensive conspiracy aimed at obstructing justice and retribution against those investigating the insurrection was thwarted by federal authorities.
Less than two weeks prior to this conspiracy conviction, Kelley was also found guilty of multiple charges directly associated with the Capitol attack. Identified acts during the siege included assaulting police officers and breaking into the Capitol building by smashing a window with a piece of wood. The court slated April 7 for his sentencing on these charges relating to the Capitol breach.
This case underscores the ongoing tensions and the broader implications of the January 6 incident, revealing stark polarization and the lengths to which individuals might go to evade accountability.
The legal proceedings against individuals like Kelley highlight the severe repercussions of such extremist actions and serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of national security and democracy, which depend heavily on the respect for rule of law and peaceful transfers of power.
As Kelley awaits his sentencing, the justice system continues to process numerous other cases related to the Capitol riot, reflecting the complex web of legal and social consequences stemming from the events of that day.
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