On Wednesday, a January 6 defendant was acquitted on all charges after convincing a federal judge that he “reasonably believed” he was let into the Capitol building by U.S. Capitol Police Officers.
Matthew Martin, an engineer from New Mexico, was charged with four misdemeanors: disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, entering and remaining in a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.
So far, over 770 people have been charged with January 6th-related federal crimes. Over 240 have pleaded guilty, and over 140 have been sentenced. Martin, however, was the first Jan 6 defendant to argue that the Capitol Police allowed him to enter the building. He was also the recipient of the first outright acquittal of a Jan 6 defendant.