As Hobart, Indiana, resident Matthew Huttle was awaiting sentencing for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 violent breach of the U.S. Capitol building, his defense attorney painted him as "not a true believer in any political movement."
"He cannot legally vote, and he knows very little about politics and does not follow it," federal public defender Andrew Hemmer wrote.
"He is somewhat distrustful of the government in general, but he did not know if the 2020 election was 'stolen' or not," according to the sentencing memorandum. "And his motivation for attending the January 6 rally was not that he sincerely believed that the election was stolen."
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The intimate portrait of Huttle takes on particular significance in the wake of him being shot dead Sunday by Jasper County, Indiana, police while allegedly resisting arrest during a traffic stop. He was presumably pardoned just days earlier by President Donald Trump along with every other person associated with the Capitol breach, which the government called a violent attempt to threaten the peaceful transfer of presidential power resulting in injuries to more than 100 police officers and nearly $3 million in losses.
This image, included in the statement of facts associated with federal criminal charges against Matthew Huttle of Hobart, Ind., allegedly shows him outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
The 42-year-old —Ìýwho was born in Porter, Indiana, to a police officer father, graduated from Merrillville High School and lived in various statesÌý— worked much of his adult life as a journeyman carpenter and has two surviving children, according to Hemmer.
Huttle struggled for more than two decades with alcoholism, fueling legal and health problems, but stopped drinking in 2019, his attorney said.
"Much of Matt’s criminal history and many of the problems in his life in general are directly related to his extreme alcohol abuse," Hemmer said.
Huttle was sentenced in 2010 to two-and-a-half years in prison for battery after severely beating the neck, back and buttocks of a three-year-old child in Lake County, according to the Indiana Department of Correction.
Records show he was on probation in Porter County for a 2020 felony drunk driving conviction when he traveled to Washington, D.C., and unlawfully entered the U.S. Capitol.
At the time of his death, Huttle also was awaiting sentencing in Lake County on a felony charge of operating a vehicle as a habitual traffic offender, according to court records.
"On or about January 6, 2021, Matt made the extremely poor choice of traveling to DC to be involved with the January 6 riot," Hemmer said. "He admits his role in the attack ... and he sincerely regrets it."
Matthew Huttle of Hobart, Ind., allegedly seen during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Huttle had reportedly agreed to drive his uncle, , to Washington to attend the Trump rally.
"Matt’s motivation was for something to do and because he thought it would be a historic event that he could document through pictures and videos," his attorney said. "His uncle talked to him about politics and stolen elections, but Matt mostly tuned this out as he did not really care."
Matthew Huttle was reportedly not accused of causing any property damage or committing any violence during the Capitol breach.
"He understands that he contributed to a terrible event that caused tragic results and he will pay the price for it," according to Hemmer.
Matthew Huttle wound up being sentenced to six months in federal prison to be followed by a year of supervised release, records show. He was reportedly released from prison July 17.
His fatal shooting by a Jasper County police officer is under investigation by the Indiana State Police.
Matthew Huttle, of Hobart, allegedly seen during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
