A federal judge on Wednesday convicted a Confederate flag-toting man and his son of charges that they stormed the U.S. Capitol together during the riot on Jan. 6, 2021, to obstruct Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s presidential victory.
They will remain free pending separate sentencing hearings in September.
McFadden rejected the defense argument that Kevin Seefried never intended to interfere with the congressional proceedings.The judge described Kevin Seefreid as the "prime mover" in their decision to go to Washington on Jan. 6. McFadden said Hunter Seefried's guilt on the obstruction charge was a "closer question," but the judge ultimately concluded that the son engaged in "aggravated conduct" that supported a conviction.
The trial included the first public testimony of Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman, who has been lauded for his bravery during the Jan. 6 attack by a mob of Trump supporters. Goodman led a group of rioters away from the Senate chamber as senators and then-Vice President Mike Pence were being evacuated. He also directed Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, to turn around and head away from the mob.
The father and son traveled to Washington from their home in Laurel, Delaware, to hear Trump’s speech at the "Stop the Steal" rally on Jan. 6. They were among the first rioters to approach the building near the Senate Wing Door, according to prosecutors. The judge acquitted Hunter Seefried of three other misdemeanor counts: destruction of government property, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with physical violence against property, and acts of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or building.
In March, McFadden acquitted a New Mexico elected official, Couy Griffin, of engaging in disorderly conduct but convicted him of illegally entering restricted Capitol grounds. McFadden is scheduled to sentence Griffin on Friday.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'No evidence' GOP Rep. Loudermilk gave reconnaissance tours before Jan. 6: Capitol PoliceThere is no evidence that GOP Rep. Barry Loudermilk gave 'reconnaissance' tours before the Jan. 6 attack, the U.S. Capitol Police Chief said in a letter to the House Administration Committee.
Read more »
Capitol Police: Nothing ‘Suspicious’ About Republican-Led Tour Day Before Jan. 6Capitol Police have determined a tour of the Capitol complex a Republican congressman gave the day before the January 6 riot was not 'suspicious.'
Read more »
MAGA Lawmaker Led Jan. 6 Rally Attendee on Capitol Tour Day Before AttackThe Jan. 6 committee says Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s tour featured people who “photographed and recorded areas of the complex not typically of interest to tourists”
Read more »