First US Capitol riot suspect to face trial ‘lit match that started the fire’

Violent insurrectionists, loyal to President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol in Washington on January 6 2021 (John Minchillo/AP)

A Texas militia member who is the first person to be tried over the assault on the US Capitol “lit the match that started the fire” when a mob charged at police officers guarding the building, a prosecutor said during the trial’s opening statements.

A defence lawyer told jurors that the Justice Department’s case against Guy Wesley Reffitt is based on “a lot of hype” and a “rush to judgment” against a man who is prone to bragging, exaggerating and ranting.