Judge denies motions from East Liverpool man accused of Jan. 6 violence at Capitol

A federal judge has denied multiple motions filed by the attorney representing an East Liverpool man awaiting trial for allegedly leading assaults on five officers during the January 6, 2021, incursion at the U.S. Capitol while congress was certifying Joseph Biden as the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election.
U.S. District Court Judge Dabney L. Friedrich on Tuesday issued an order denying motions filed by an attorney representing Kenneth Thomas, who is charged with obstruction of Law Enforcement during a civil disorder, obstruction of an official proceeding and aiding and abetting, five felony counts related to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers, three counts relating to disorderly conduct and violence in a restricted building or ground, and two misdemeanor counts relating to disorderly conduct and violence in a Capitol building or grounds.
Among the defense motions denied were those seeking dismissal of charges and another asking that during trial, prosecutors be prohibited from claiming that police officers died because of what happened on January 6.
Also denied was a motion to disallow what the defense characterized as vindictive, selective, and retaliatory prosecution, as well as the use of “prejudicial words and phrases” during trial.
Thomas also was denied a motion to suppress the use of videos recorded on January 6th to identify Thomas, unless it was made by someone with first-hand, personal knowledge of Thomas.
Judge Friedrich granted four motions from the prosecution, including one allowing the use of video clips, photographs, and social media posts depicting or discussing Thomas.
Also granted was a government request prohibiting the defense from arguing entrapment, or that law enforcement allowed the protestors to enter the capitol, or that police failed to act to stop the protests.
Because of the complexity of the case, Judge Friedrich has given both sides more time to prepare for trial.
More than 900 people have been charged in connection with the Capital insurrection. Seven of those are from here in the Valley. One of those seven has since taken his own life.