A Capitol rioter who pleaded guilty in December for his role in the insurrection has ended his own life last Friday.
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Before his death, Matthew Perna,37, awaited sentencing two months after he pleaded guilty to four charges relating to the riots. His family wrote in his obituary that the case had dragged on for over a year due to “the constant delays in hearings and postponements dragged out for over a year.” The obituary was posted in a local newspaper, The Herald, a publication based in Sharon, Pennsylvania.
Last January, Perna drove to Washington D.C. and was caught on video wearing a “Make America Great Again” hoodie while chanting “USA!” in the Capitol. An investigation conducted by the FBI also revealed a video of Perna discussing his plan to storm into the Capitol with the intent of exposing former Vice President Mike Pence as a “traitor.”
“He attended the rally on Jan. 6, 2021, to peacefully stand up for his beliefs. After learning that the FBI was looking for him, he immediately turned himself in. He entered the Capitol through a previously opened door (he did not break in as was reported). He didn’t break, touch, or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures. For this act he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives, and people who had never met him. Many people were quietly supportive, and Matt was truly grateful for them.”
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Perna’s sentencing was scheduled for April 1 at the US District Court in Washington D.C.
SOURCE: New York Post