A Capitol rioter killed himself while awaiting sentencing — dying from a “broken heart” over his case and because “the justice system killed his spirit and his zest for life,” according to kin.
Matthew Perna, who pled guilty in December to four charges related to the attempted insurrection, killed himself at home Friday.
“The constant delays in hearings, and postponements dragged out for over a year. Because of this, Matt’s heart broke and his spirit died,” says his obituary in The Herald, a local newspaper in Sharon, Pa.
“Matt did not have a hateful bone in his body. He embraced people of all races, income brackets and beliefs, never once berating anyone for having different views,” the obit added.
Perna, 37, drove to Washington on Jan. 6 to attend former President Donald Trump’s rally and later entered the US Capitol, where he was caught on video wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hoodie and chanting “USA!” court records show.
The FBI also found a video of Perna talking about walking “right into the Capitol building” with the purpose of exposing former Vice President Mike Pence as a “traitor” as the veep attempted to certify the 2020 presidential election, according to records and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Perna, a follower of the QAnon conspiracy movement, admitted to the FBI that he was at the Capitol for about 5 or 10 minutes but claimed he was pushed inside by a crowd and that he didn’t intend to enter the building, his criminal complaint states. During a subsequent interview, he copped to using a metal pole to tap on a window inside the Capitol because he was “frustrated,” records show.
The Pennsylvania man pled guilty to all four charges he was hit with and was due to be sentenced April 1 in the US District Court District of Columbia in DC.
“He attended the rally on Jan. 6, 2021, to peacefully stand up for his beliefs. After learning that the FBI was looking for him, he immediately turned himself in,” Perna’s family wrote in his obituary. “He entered the Capitol through a previously opened door (he did not break in as was reported). He didn’t break, touch, or steal anything. He did not harm anyone, as he stayed within the velvet ropes taking pictures.
“For this act he has been persecuted by many members of his community, friends, relatives, and people who had never met him. Many people were quietly supportive, and Matt was truly grateful for them.”
Perna’s family noted that he graduated from Pennsylvania State University, loved animals and spent time traveling throughout Europe, Asia, South America, India and the US.
“Matt’s family stood by him during this devastating ordeal and are extremely proud of his passion for life and his pursuit of many dreams. His actions last year are not looked down upon, instead his family is grateful and humbled by his courage,” the obituary said.
“They say God never gives anyone more than they can handle. That statement is not Biblical, nor is it true. Rest Easy Matt, you are finally FREE!” his kin added.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 1-800-273-8255 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
“admitted to the FBI that he was at the Capitol for about 5 or 10 minutes but claimed he was pushed inside by a crowd and that he didn’t intend to enter the building, his criminal complaint states. During a subsequent interview, he copped to using a metal pole to tap on a window inside the Capitol because he was “frustrated,” records show.”
He didn’t want to go inside but for 10 minutes he was inside, waiting for them to pass out buttered popcorn.
Don’t all Americans pick up metal poles in order to see how strong glass windows are? Heck, I did that last Thursday and twice on Sunday!
He climbed dozens and dozens of stairs of the US Capital. Of course against his will. Fighting the crowd every minute for 30 minutes. But he sure was a healthy guy to visit numerous countries on his own.
Surprised you Communist SCUM are able to quote so well.
Your time is coming Commie!
Communists (DemocRATs) conveniently forget this incident…
Communist Protestors…
As a result of the protests, the Secret Service rushed President Donald Trump to shelter in the White House underground bunker, where he remained for almost one hour. This occurred after some protesters crossed temporary barricades set up near the Treasury Department buildings. Around that time, the Secret Service alert level was raised to “red”. The president’s wife and son were also brought to the bunker.
100+ Secret Service agents and cops were injured.
Americans will never forget this!
so cold no sympathy for someone who lost the will to live. shame on you.
DemoRATs just cannot let the false, incorrect narrative of Jan 6 go. Just keep listening to the MSM and the rest of the liars. I feel so sad for you.
I hope it made you feel better to trash this person. How cold-bloodied and cruel.
It’s a very sad day in America when there is no balance in the scales of justice. I wish Matt would have been treated fairly and we still have many unanswered questions about many events in the capital and how they occurred. We have officials in the capital that have excluded themselves from accountability, which I hope will also be corrected. We still have people held in confinement being persecuted, I’m praying the full truth of the events of that day and those around it are fully exposed.
I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that he was actually murdered by some left wing politician through the hand of one of these corrupt capitol cops. We’ve all seen the double standard where the people protesting against the stolen presidential election are still in jail and have been abused while the real criminals of BLM and Antifa have gone free to commit more crimes and do more damage.
Stupid is as stupid does
By your comment, you should know !!
I second; by your comment, you should know
What’s one more murder for these baby killing scumbag communist Democrats, I hope their children are killed so they can feel the pain that they caused this mans family, & other people. These vile satanic pigs in politics pushing their one world order agenda will soon find out what misery torture and death is all about soon.
nancy and her minions should be in prison, it is they who are guilty
Doesn’t have a mean bone in his body? He was part of a mob. People died that day. Perhaps he could not deal with guilt
The only person who died that day was an unarmed military veteran, a woman shot by the DC police!