Washington, D.C. — A federal judge dismissed the remaining cases against four Proud Boys leaders convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly granted the Justice Department’s request Friday to dismiss the convictions of Ethan Nordean, Joseph Biggs, Zachary Rehl, and Dominic Pezzola. The dismissal was issued with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought again.
Three of the men were convicted of seditious conspiracy, while Pezzola was acquitted of that charge but convicted of other felonies, including breaking a Capitol window that allowed rioters inside. Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio, who was tried with them, had received the longest sentence at 22 years.
President Donald Trump previously commuted the sentences of several Proud Boys and Oath Keepers defendants and issued broad Jan. 6 clemency after returning to office. Kelly wrote that he did not agree with the administration’s decision or Trump’s pardons, but said courts cannot force the executive branch to continue prosecutions.
The Hill reported that Kelly said denying the DOJ motion would not revive the convictions already vacated by an appeals court.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
