Capitol rioter from Santa Fe acquitted on all counts

[TexasTowelie]

A federal judge acquitted a defense contractor from Santa Fe on Wednesday of all charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

U.S. District Court Judge Trevor N. McFadden held the bench trial for Matthew Martin over two days. The government brought three witnesses to testify and Martin himself also testified, according to court records.

NBC News reports that McFadden said there was reasonable doubt about whether Martin knew he was going into a restricted building but also said it was “more likely than not” that Martin knew he wasn’t supposed to.

Martin is the first person to be cleared of all charges related to the violent events at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

“I’m hoping to get my life back together — get my job back,” Martin told reporters after the verdict. He indicated to reporters that he works in Los Alamos.

Read more: https://sourcenm.com/briefs/capitol-rioter-from-santa-fe-acquitted-on-all-counts/

Martin has a top-secret security clearance.

[Mister Ed]

1. So ignorance of the law actually is an excuse?

For example, I might successfully contest a speeding ticket by saying, "But your honor, I didn't know the speed limit on that road was 30 MPH?"

Perhaps someone with with a better understanding of law can post and explain.

[3Hotdogs]

5. If the speed limit is not posted. Its called "due process." I don't know the extent to which it

would apply in this instance. I suspect everyone knows that you don't just walk into the Capital. I hope he loses his clearance and his job.

[Mister Ed]

9. Thanks. n/t.

[dem4decades]

2. Were the defendant and Judge both wearing their MAGA hats during the trial?

[bottomofthehill]

3. Sure let me help

A Trump appointed judge with no regard for the law let this asshole off in an attempt to establish a pattern.

I hope a similar crowd looking for blood shows up in his court room to let him rethink how this works.

[gab13by13]

4. It is working, another Magat just withdrew his guilty plea,

because of this ruling. They will all want to go before this judge.

So the judge lets him off because he thought he was allowed in the Capitol, regardless of the signs that said not to enter, regardless of Capitol police trying to stop people, regardless of people smashing doors and windows in order to get in, his excuse, which was accepted by a judge, is he thought he was allowed in?

Somebody needs to do something to challenge this judge's decision or he will let them all off.

[MichMan]

6. His judicial record didn't throw up too many red flags during confirmation

He is a Trump appointed conservative, but was confirmed 84-10 in the Senate

[Phoenix61]

7. Just want I always wanted, a MAGAT with a top secret clearance.

I’ve no doubt the judge was trying to help save his job. Convictions can hack up a security clearance. Hopefully his employers won’t be willing to take the chance.

[Chainfire]

8. "I'm hoping to get my life back together -- get my job back."

And continuing to work on my efforts to overthrow the legitimate government of the United States, in the name of my lord and savior, Donald Trump.

[lefthandedskyhook]

10. Looks bad

What kind of person is this?