WASHINGTON - An East Liverpool man indicted on ten charges for allegedly attacking police during the January 6, 2021, confrontation at the U.S. Capitol is asking a judge to dismiss one of those charges and wants his trial moved to a federal court Northern Ohio.

In addition, a motion filed by the attorney representing Kenneth Thomas asks the judge to prohibit prosecutors from using the terms: "Rioters," "Breach," "Confrontation," "Anti-Government Extremism," "insurrectionists," and "mob”, during his trial, which is currently scheduled to get underway in a Washington D.C. federal court on March 14.  Defense Attorney Joseph Conte calls use of such terms in a court should be considered “hearsay”.

 Thomas, faces charges that include assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers; obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder; and engaging in physical violence on Capitol grounds.

Thomas was arrested in connection with the disruption of a joint session of the U.S. Congress in the process of counting the electoral votes from the presidential election.

According to court documents, Thomas was recorded on Metropolitan Police Department body-worn camera footage advancing toward a line of law enforcement and pushing against their shields.

Investigators say the video shows Thomas punching and striking the officers with his fist and forearm at least twice.

As officers tried to push the crowd of rioters from the steps, investigators say Thomas turned toward rioters and ordered them to “hold the line” against advancing officers, repeating this several times.

Officers say Thomas was one of the first to come in and start hitting and pushing officers on the line.

In requesting the dismissal of count two filed against Thomas, attorney Conte argues that his client is not alleged to have taken some action with respect to a document, record, or other object in order to corruptly obstruct, impede or influence an official proceeding. Conte cites an earlier court decision in another of the cases filed against 900 people charged in connection with the January 6 incident.

Another motion seeks a change of venue for Thomas from Washington to Northern Ohio, claiming that it would be difficult to seat an impartial jury in Washington where “a huge proportion of District of Columbia residents either work for the federal government themselves or have friends or family who do.”

Attorney Conte also argues that D.C. residents that have no direct connection to the government reported feeling deeply traumatized by the events that took place so close to where they live and work.

The government also filed motions of its own, including one that would prohibit revealing the locations of security cameras at the Capitol Building, and another that would prevent the defense from arguing that Thomas was entrapped, or that Thomas was in the Capital legally because law enforcement failed to keep him and others out of the building.

The next court hearing for Thomas is set for January 5.

Eight people from the Valley have been charged since the incident.