Edward Kelley, a 35-year-old Tennessee man, has been found guilty of multiple charges related to his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot and a subsequent plot to murder FBI agents investigating the insurrection.Kelley was among the first rioters to breach the U.S. Capitol on that fateful day. Wearing a gas mask and a green tactical helmet, he engaged in a physical altercation with a Capitol police officer on the west side of the building, forcefully bringing the officer to the ground. He then used a long piece of wood to break a window near the Senate wing door, facilitating his entry into the Capitol. Once inside, Kelley assisted in kicking open a nearby door, allowing more rioters to enter the building.In November 2024, Kelley was convicted of eight felonies and several misdemeanors for his role in the Capitol breach, including assault, civil disorder, and obstructing an official proceeding. The evidence presented during his trial in Washington, D.C., clearly demonstrated his violent actions against law enforcement and his deliberate efforts to damage federal property.However, Kelley’s legal troubles did not end there. While awaiting trial for his January 6 involvement, he devised a sinister plan to retaliate against those investigating him. Kelley created a “kill list” containing the names of 37 FBI agents and other individuals associated with his arrest or who had assisted in searching his residence during the investigation. He shared this list with two accomplices, along with video clips from his home security system that captured law enforcement officers approaching his home on the day of his arrest.One of Kelley’s co-conspirators, Austin Carter, testified that Kelley had discussed plans to attack the FBI office in Knoxville, Tennessee, using car bombs and incendiary devices attached to drones. They also strategized about assassinating FBI employees in their homes and public places such as movie theaters. In a recorded conversation, Kelley was heard saying, “Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt,” emphasizing the violent nature of his intentions.On November 20, 2024, following a three-day trial in Knoxville, Kelley was found guilty of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation to commit a crime of violence, and making threats against federal officials. The jury reached their verdict after just one hour of deliberation, underscoring the strength of the evidence against him.Kelley’s conviction serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing legal consequences faced by those who participated in the January 6 Capitol riot. It also highlights the potential for further violence and retaliation against law enforcement officials involved in investigating and prosecuting these cases.Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025, for the murder conspiracy charges, where he faces up to life in prison. This sentencing will follow his April 7 sentencing for the Capitol riot-related charges
