Court hearing pushed back for Leo Kelly as lawyers try to resolve matter before trial

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Leo Kelly, the Cedar Rapids man charged with entering the U.S. Capitol during a deadly riot, had a court date pushed back into April.

Kelly is one of four Iowans charged in the attack on January 6. Five people died during the riot, including four rioters and one police officer.

OTHER IOWANS CHARGED IN ATTACK

• Doug Jensen
• Deborah Sandoval
• Salvador Sandoval, Jr.

Kelly is charged with knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and violent entry with intent to disrupt the orderly conduct of official business and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Authorities say they first learned of Kelly’s participation after he spoke with LifeSiteNews, who describes Kelly as one of the first men to breach the U.S. Capitol. He was also filmed inside one of the chambers.

A federal judge approved of a motion supported by both the defense and prosecutors to delay a scheduled preliminary hearing scheduled in early March to no later than April 8.

In court documents, prosecutors say both they and the defendant have conferred, “and are continuing to communication in an effort to resolve this matter.”

Later in the document, it says both parties are continuing to negotiate to try and come to a resolution before a trial, hinting that at a possible plea deal could be in the works.