"Every hit has to hurt": TN man convicted of conspiring to murder FBI employees

From Local 3 News: After a three-day trial, Edward Kelley, 35, has been convicted of conspiracy to murder federal employees, solicitation of a crime of violence, and influencing a federal official by threat.

The evidence showed that while Kelley was awaiting trial for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol breach, he developed a plan to murder law enforcement, including FBI agents and employees.

Kelley had made a "kill list" of FBI agents and others investigating on January 6. Proof then showed that Kelley distributed the list, along with videos and images of the employees, to a co-conspirator of the "mission."

The Department of Justice (DOJ) says that a cooperating defendant who had already pleaded guilty to his role testified that he and Kelley had planned attacks on the Knoxville FBI Field Office. The defendant said that they were going to use car bombs and incendiary devices attached to drones to do the job. He also admitted that they had strategized the assassination of FBI employees in their homes and public places, such as movie theatres.

Recordings were also brought forth during the trial of Kelley calling about the development of a "course of action" related to the plan. In one recording, Kelley gave instructions to "start it", "attack", and "take out their office" in the event of his arrest. He said, "Every hit has to hurt. Every hit has to hurt."

Kelley is scheduled to be sentenced on May 7, 2025, and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.