A Maryville man, Edward Kelley, has been found guilty on a total of 11 charges following his participation in the January 6 Capitol riot, which included three felony convictions, amid a time when former President Donald Trump has floated the idea of pardons for some involved in the insurrection. Kelley, 35, faced a two-day bench trial that began on October 28, 2024, and concluded the next day, where he was convicted of charges such as assaulting law enforcement officers and destruction of government property, as reported by WATE.
Kelley was notably seen on video footage throwing a United States Capitol Police officer to the ground alongside two other men, and he was identified as one of the initial individuals to forcibly enter the Capitol by breaking a window. This action allowed other rioters to access the building, according to WBIR. His actions also included kicking open the Senate Wing Door and moving through various parts of the Capitol, including the Senate Gallery and Rotunda, during the 40 minutes he was inside.
While Kelley was found not guilty of obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting the same, he admitted to being in Washington, D.C., on the day of the riot, though he disputes being the person depicted in surveillance videos. Despite his claims, prosecutors presented sufficient evidence, including videos he recorded and the clothing he wore, which led to his convictions on charges such as entering and remaining in a restricted building and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, as per WATE's report.
Following a separate incident, Kelley and another man, Austin Carter, were arrested for allegedly plotting to attack the FBI Knoxville Office and kill law enforcement officers. The plan is said to be linked to the investigation into the January 6 riot. Carter pleaded guilty to related charges in November 2023, while Kelley's court proceedings for this case are still ongoing, as noted by WBIR. Sentencing for Kelley's January 6-related convictions is scheduled for April 7, 2025.
The extent of Trump's potential clemency remains unclear amid his historical political comeback and bid for a second term in the White House. Kelley's situation highlights this issue, especially with more than 1,500 individuals facing charges related to the January 6 events, as mentioned by WVLT. Trump had previously expressed a willingness to pardon "a large portion of them" during a CNN Town Hall in 2023, though he acknowledged that some participants in the riot "got out of control" and may not be eligible for such pardons.
