Edward Kelley receives life sentence for federal agent murder plot
- Edward Kelley was convicted for plotting to murder agents investigating his Capitol breach.
- Kelley created a list of federal agents as targets during his investigation.
- Despite a pardon for his January 6 actions, he received a life sentence in a separate case.
In the United States, Edward Kelley, a participant in the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, was sentenced to life in prison for a separate case involving a conspiracy to murder federal agents. This sentencing came after Kelley, awaiting trial for his Capitol-related offenses, had developed a 'kill list' targeting law enforcement officials, particularly those involved in his investigation. Evidence revealed that Kelley distributed this list, which included names and contact information of FBI agents, to a co-conspirator, demonstrating a calculated effort to incite violence against those he perceived as enemies. His earlier involvement in the Capitol riot was marked by his position as the fourth individual to unlawfully enter the Capitol building, where he was part of the assault on law enforcement officers as they attempted to secure the building. Despite being among over 1,500 individuals pardoned by former President Trump for his role in the Capitol siege in January 2025, the pardon did not extend to the conspiracy charges from his Tennessee case, which Kelley's defense had argued should have been covered. U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan ruled against this argument, defining the circumstances of Kelley's Tennessee actions, which were distinctly separate from those on January 6. The ruling emphasized that Kelley's conduct leading to his life sentence occurred both years and miles away from the events at the Capitol. At trial, prosecutors highlighted Kelley's lack of remorse and his belief that the murderous plot was justified as part of a civil effort to defend his actions. His identification of 36 law enforcement targets underscored the seriousness of his intentions and reliance on violent rhetoric. Kelley has expressed plans to appeal the ruling, aiming for a potential resolution in his favor, which could vacate his conviction based on the notion of presidential clemency covering his actions in Tennessee. Nevertheless, even if an appeal were successful, the implications of Kelley's mindset towards law enforcement and his actions present significant concerns about public safety and the climate surrounding political dissent.