Life After J6 Trials – Matthew Martin

Matthew Martin stands out as the sole J6er who was acquitted of all charges, leaving many puzzled as to why his outcome differed from several other defendants. Despite facing similar charges, the reasons behind the contrasting verdicts remain unclear. Typically, prosecutors in these cases tend to push for plea agreements, though only a few individuals were fortunate enough to secure favorable terms, while the majority did not. However, Matthew Martin’s case took a different route, as it went through a bench trial presided over by Judge Trevor Neil McFadden, who was appointed by former President Trump. It is worth noting that political affiliations have often shown little influence on judges’ decisions, regardless of whether they were appointed by conservative Presidents or not. For instance, even Judge Walton, an appointee of President Reagan, openly criticized Trump supporters by labeling them as Nazis. This suggests that judges’ political beliefs can significantly impact their decision-making process. Thus, the fact that a judge is appointed by a conservative President does not necessarily guarantee impartiality or the absence of any bias against a J6 defendant.

Docket with information can be found here and the trial transcript here.

Matthew Martin’s defense was that he did not know he was not allowed in the building.

The government has failed to prove that he knowingly impeded the orderly conduct of government business in a restricted building. And they have also failed to show that his personal conduct disrupted or impeded the orderly conduct of business.

…

And so we believe that the evidence that’s on the video shows that he did not engage in disruptive conduct inside.

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With respect to Count 3, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, once again, this requires more than mere presence.

His charges were as follows:

• 8 U.S.C. § 1752(a)(1)- Knowingly Entering or Remaining in any Restricted Building or Grounds
  Without Lawful Authority,
• 18 U.S.C. § 1752(a)(2)- Disorderly Conduct Which Impedes the Conduct of Government
  Business,
• 40 U.S.C. § 5104(e)(2)(D)- Disruptive Conduct in the Capitol Buildings,
• 40 U.S.C. § 5104(e)(2)(G)- Parading, Demonstrating, or Picketing in the Capitol Buildings.

Read more here.