One of the peaceful protestors who was ushered in by Capitol police into the Capitol building on January 6th of last year has tragically taken his own life.
According to his family, Matthew Perna peacefully entered the building through an open door with other protestors on that day.
He walked around for roughly 20 minutes, and then peacefully exited the building.
A few weeks later, Matthew saw his own image on the FBI’s most wanted list.
He promptly called the local FBI office and turned himself in for questioning.
Matthew was arrested on January 18.
From there, he was indicted by a Grand Jury on 4 counts, including obstruction and trespassing misdemeanors.
The Biden Administration’s crackdown on anyone involved in the Jan 6 protests made life miserable for Matthew.
False accusations of domestic terrorism, along with members of his own community turning on him, led to what Matthew’s family described as “a broken heart.”
Matthew tragically ended his own life on February 25.
“Matt’s heart broke and his spirit died, and many people are responsible for the pain he endured.”
Matthew L. Perna, a Pennsylvania man prosecuted for his 20-minute walk through the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, took his own life on Feb. 25. https://t.co/xsBw0bTw11
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) February 28, 2022
The Epoch Times reports on this tragic story:
Matthew L. Perna, a Pennsylvania man prosecuted for his 20-minute walk through the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, took his own life on Feb. 25 due to “a broken heart” and a justice system that “killed his spirit and his zest for life,” his family said.
Perna, 37, of Sharpsville, was due to be sentenced on March 3 in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., in a plea agreement on charges of obstruction of an official proceeding, aiding and abetting, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building. One charge is a felony and the others are misdemeanors.
Perna learned that prosecutors would seek an even longer jail sentence based on “domestic terrorism deterrence,” Julie Kelly of American Greatness wrote on Twitter on Sunday night.
“His community (which he loved), his country, and the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life,” his online obituary reads.
“He didn’t break, touch, or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures,” the obituary said. “For this act, he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives, and people who had never met him.
1. Pretrial J6 defendant killed himself in jail.
“Matthew Lawrence Perna died on February 25, 2022 of a broken heart. His community (which he loved), his country, and the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life. Matt was an amazing man!”https://t.co/IEa5jfSBIZ pic.twitter.com/CIuouDVsPT
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) February 28, 2022
Read this. Obituary for Matthew Lawrence Perna at John Flynn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. https://t.co/Bgd3lb2lgh
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) February 28, 2022
Matthew Pena attended the protest on J6, walked into the Capitol after being ushered in by police, committed no violent crimes but spent a year being persecuted by his government anyway. Driven to suicide. https://t.co/44ChjhNkAH
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 28, 2022
January 6 defendant Matthew Perna, 37, reportedly died by suicide on Friday.
He had been scheduled for sentencing on April 1.
His family says his “heart broke and his spirit died” amidst the prosecution.https://t.co/R3ovbSpKy6
— Ford Fischer (@FordFischer) February 28, 2022
Here’s more from WKBN:
Investigators said Perna remained inside the Capitol building for 20 minutes while he filmed and posted to social media video of the riot.
Investigators said Perna admitted to being inside the Capitol but said he was pushed inside by the group. He said he had been at the top of the stairs and was surprised that the door was open.
In an online obituary, the indictment and subsequent persecution of Perna are blamed for his death saying that “his community (which he loved), his country, and the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life:”
“The constant delays in hearings, and postponements dragged out for over a year. Because of this, Matt’s heart broke and his spirit died, and many people are responsible for the pain he endured.”
Matthew Perna.
Say his name, @TheJusticeDept
https://t.co/Uo8aWUupck— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) February 28, 2022
Over a year removed from the Capital protests, so many innocent lives have been lost or ruined.
Many are still wondering why the Biden Administration and the Justice Department have not yet been held accountable for the treatment of peaceful freedom loving Americans..
My interview with the family of Matthew Perna.
Joe Biden, Merrick Garland, Matthew Graves, Judge Bates and @SharonHeraldPa
You have blood on your hands. https://t.co/DH22DFYMLj
— Julie Kelly 🇺🇸 (@julie_kelly2) February 28, 2022
Not only did the Republicans in Congress and Senate have 2 months to stop the stolen election, they had over a year since then to speak out on the prisoners in DC.
Only a handful did.@LindseyGrahamSC @SenatorTimScott
Nothing.
Matthew Perna’s death is on the people like you.
— Tim Swain (@_TimSwain_) February 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/JusticeForJ6/status/1498022198036074498?s=20&t=yiK0xQ2GE1kEUmarBXq1Qg
God be with Matthew’s family and loved ones during these difficult times.
https://twitter.com/MeghanFoshay/status/1498163073198149632?s=20&t=yiK0xQ2GE1kEUmarBXq1Qg
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