Insurrectionists Seek Pardons for Separate Crimes Linked to January 6 Events

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Several individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection are attempting to utilize their presidential pardons to overturn separate criminal charges. According to The Wall Street Journal, Edward Kelley, who was pardoned for assaulting police, is seeking to have convictions related to a conspiracy to murder FBI agents dismissed, arguing that these charges are connected to his insurrection actions. His attorney, Mark Brown, claims the President's pardon covers these alleged offenses.

Another individual, Andrew Taake, recently released from a six-month prison term for using bear spray against officers, is also facing older charges related to solicitation of a minor. Meanwhile, David Daniel's lawyer asserts that evidence of his client’s child pornography charges arose during an investigation into his January 6 activities, therefore, should be dismissed due to the pardon.

Legal experts express concern over the implications of these arguments, suggesting they could embolden other violent offenders to seek similar legal loopholes to evade justice, complicating the rehabilitation of these individuals back into society.

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