Washington, D-C: A Judge in Washington, D-C , Monday (June 6), set the trial date for a mother and son from the Des Moines metro area, who were allegedly involved in the January 6^th 2021 riot in the nation’s capitol. During the hearing, Judge Thomas Hogan ruled Deborah and Salvador Sandoval will be tried together. Their defense teams argued their cases should be tried separately because they say the two did not travel to Washington together and were not in the capitol building together. The judge denied that motion.

The unknown element at this time, is where the trial will occur. Attorneys for the pair want the case moved back to the Southern District of Iowa because they say they cannot get a fair trial in Washington, D.C. due to political opinion. Des Moines-based defense attorneys for Salvador Sandoval, William Kutmus and Trever Hook cited a survey that states 73% of respondents believe anyone who occupied the capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, should be convicted of insurrection.

Judge Hogan said he would likely deny the change of venue request, but did not rule on the motion Monday. He denied a motion to drop one of Salvador’s charges. Attorney’s had claimed the charge of obstruction of an official proceeding is not applicable because the Jan. 6, 2021, certification of the Electoral College was not an official proceeding. Hogan ruled otherwise.