In brief
A federal judge has upheld a decision to deny the pretrial release of Brian J. Cole Jr., who is accused of placing two pipe bombs near the Democratic and Republican party headquarters. Cole, diagnosed with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, has pleaded not guilty and faces serious charges stemming from actions believed to be premeditated. Prosecutors assert that the bombs instilled fear in the public, contradicting defense claims that they were harmless.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge has decided that Brian J. Cole Jr., charged with placing two pipe bombs near the national headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties on the eve of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, will remain in custody while awaiting trial.
U.S. District Judge Amir Ali ruled on Thursday to uphold Magistrate Judge Matthew Sharbaugh's earlier decision, stating that no release conditions could adequately protect the public from the potential threat Cole is believed to pose.
Cole, 30, pleaded not guilty to allegations of constructing and deploying the two pipe bombs outside the Republican National Committee and Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., on January 5, 2021. Since his arrest on December 4, 2021, law enforcement has maintained his detention due to the severity of the charges against him.
Having lived with his parents in Woodbridge, Virginia, Cole has been diagnosed with autism and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and his defense team highlights his lack of criminal history. Nonetheless, prosecutors argue that Cole's actions stemmed from a calculated decision to commit severe political violence, after expressing dissatisfaction with how both major political parties addressed concerns surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
Documents indicate that Cole confessed to intending to perform an “extraordinary act of political violence.” Prosecutors indicated that although there were psychological factors involved, the intentions and planning behind the pipe bombs were premeditated. They emphasized this by stating, “His crimes were anything but impulsive.”
In a defense motion for release, attorneys argued that Cole should be monitored at home, claiming that expert evaluations deemed the devices he allegedly planted as non-viable explosive devices, indicating no real threat existed. However, prosecutors firmly disputed this, claiming that the bombs created a public environment of fear and terror.
If he is found guilty of the charges against him, Cole faces significant prison time: up to 10 years for one charge and up to 20 years for a second charge, which includes a mandatory minimum of five years. Cole’s legal battles continue as the case progresses.
