Former MO GOP chair subpoenaed in Capitol riot probe is new attorney for Olathe Proud Boy
Everyone has the right to legal representation.
This situation involves both Kansas and Missouri.
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The journalist who authored this piece, Judy Thomas, has been reporting on right-wing extremism for more than 25 years.
"Former MO GOP chair subpoenaed in Capitol riot probe is new attorney for Olathe Proud Boy"
Government & Politics
Former MO GOP chair subpoenaed in Capitol riot probe is new attorney for Olathe Proud Boy
BY JUDY L. THOMAS UPDATED DECEMBER 14, 2021 2:03 PM
William Billy Chrestman of Olathe is seen here (in separate photos) at the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.
FEDERAL COURT DOCUMENTS
A former Missouri GOP chairman subpoenaed last week by the House committee investigating the Capitol riot is now a lead attorney for an
Olathe Proud Boy charged in the insurrection.
Ed Martin, who was head of the Missouri Republican Party between 2013 and 2015, has signed on to represent William Chrestman, court records show. Chrestman was indicted along with three other Kansas City-area Proud Boys and two Arizona siblings who prosecutors say conspired to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6. The government alleges that Chrestman was a key player in the invasion.
Martin was among six people subpoenaed last week who the House of Representatives panel says were involved in organizing and planning rallies to overturn Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election. The committee says Martin was a leader of the Stop the Steal movement.
The committee sent
a letter to Martin demanding documents and a deposition regarding his role in the planning leading up to the protest on Jan. 6, after which a mob of Trump supporters breached the Capitol and disrupted the election certification process.
Martin is ordered to produce the documents by Dec. 23 and appear for a deposition on Jan. 5.
{snip}
The Stars Daniel Desrochers contributed to this report.
This story was originally published December 14, 2021 12:19 PM.
JUDY L THOMAS
https://twitter.com/judylthomas
jthomas@kcstar.com
816-234-4334
Judy L. Thomas joined The Star in 1995 and is a member of the investigative team, focusing on watchdog journalism. Over three decades, the Kansas native has covered domestic terrorism, extremist groups and clergy sex abuse. Her stories on Kansas secrecy and religion have been nationally recognized.