A Texas man charged in connection with the January riot at the U.S. Capitol died in a motorcycle crash last month.
Joseph Cable Barnes, 35, was among hundreds of suspected rioters arrested earlier this year. He was facing multiple charges related to the deadly assault on the Capitol on January 6.
However, police in Austin, Texas, recently identified Barnes as the man who died in a motorcycle crash in June.
In a news release, police said Barnes was on his motorcycle when he ran a red light and collided with a silver Toyota at Capital of Texas Highway and Westbank Drive on June 12. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene, police said, while the driver of the Toyota was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
An online obituary described Barnes as “a patriot and loved our country and those who served to protect our freedom.” It added: “He was chivalrous, a defender of the underdog, and was intimidated by nothing or no one.”
The obituary also said Barnes “lived life at full throttle” and was “a true Renaissance Man; an avid painter who focused his artistic skill on painting flags.”
Department of Justice
Barnes was arraigned in March, and pleaded not guilty to all counts against him. He was free on a personal recognizance bond with the next court-ordered hearing in his case scheduled for Wednesday morning.
However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has now filed a motion seeking an abatement of prosecution in the case.
“As grounds for this request, the United States now states that, on information and belief, the defendant died on June 12, 2021, in Austin, Texas,” the court filing states.
According to the complaint, a man seen dressed in a dark beanie and an American flag gaiter around his neck inside the Capitol building in footage captured by British broadcaster ITV News was later identified as Barnes.
In the video, Barnes was seen yelling: “This is our house! This is our country! This is our country!”
Three witnesses identified Barnes as the man in the footage, according to the complaint.
One of the witnesses told law enforcement they had visited Barnes’ home in Austin multiple times. Another said they attended Anderson High School in Austin with Barnes.
The third witness told authorities that Barnes works for a commercial real estate services company.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Austin Police Department have been contacted for comment.
Six months after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol to oppose the certification of the 2020 election results by Congress, the Justice Department is still working to track down rioters.
The FBI website seeking information about those involved in the Capitol violence includes over 900 pictures of around 300 people labeled “unidentified.”
Those who have yet to be caught include the person who planted two pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic national committees.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information about the person responsible for leaving the pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on January 5.
