A decide on Wednesday discovered Matthew Martin of Santa Fe, New Mexico, not responsible of a number of misdemeanor counts associated to the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol. Martin is the primary particular person charged in connection to the January 6 assault who has been acquitted on all fees.
Martin, the primary January 6 defendant to take the stand in his personal protection, admitted to being contained in the Capitol on January 6. He testified earlier than Choose Trevor McFadden that after briefly attending former President Trump's rally, he went again to his resort. He then returned to the Capitol for what he thought can be one other rally and stated he was "let in" by police, claiming he did not discover any safety barrier.
Martin testified that he entered the Capitol constructing, made his manner by way of the Rotunda, and left. Martin's actions on January 6 have been documented utilizing CCTV footage from contained in the Capitol and information, together with video, from his personal cellular phone. Martin was not charged in reference to any of the violence seen on January 6 and was not discovered to be a member of any extremist teams.
Martin testified that when he returned to his resort a second time, he exchanged textual content messages along with his then-supervisor from work, stating: "It was lovely. I'll bear in mind in the present day for the remainder of my life."
Martin didn't inform his boss about his entry into the Capitol as a result of, he stated, she would disagree along with his resolution and he did not need her to learn too far into his messages. He did, nevertheless, textual content her "not as a lot safety as you'd assume" and "they weren't ready."
Throughout cross examination, Martin referred to as January 6 a "magical" day due to the spirit he noticed within the streets and the numerous Trump supporters he encountered.
Martin additionally testified that after viewing Trump's December 12, 2020, tweet indicating the January 6 rally was going to be "wild," he booked his journey to Washington, D.C. "to assist Trump and Mike Pence." He traveled alone.
In his ruling, McFadden cited Martin's demeanor whereas contained in the Capitol, noting that he didn't look like screaming or crowding anyone. McFadden additionally referenced video indicating police did not bodily block Martin as he entered the constructing, and one even appeared to presumably be waving him inside. McFadden stated it was a "shut name" on the cost of coming into a restricted constructing. McFadden agreed that Martin entered the Capitol, however stated in his ruling that intent was key.
Martin was previously a senior engineer who held a nationwide safety clearance from the Division of Vitality for personal sector work. He informed CBS Information after the decision that he was grateful and he hoped he would get his job again.