Family of Hilton man accused in US Capitol riot write letters of support

HILTON, N.Y. (WHEC) — The Hilton man accused of pepper-spraying police during the U.S. Capitol riot is due back in court Friday. Ahead of the hearing, News10NBC got our hands on 17 letters supporting Cody Mattice and his release from federal custody.

Mattice’s mother, aunt, brother, fiancée and even his daughter wrote letters. They paint a different picture of Mattice from the video taken at the Capitol on Jan. 6. They called Mattice a caring stay-at-home dad of his two children, a "protector" of their family and "never anything remotely close to a threat to his community."

His mother says before the pandemic Mattice had hoped to become a Monroe County Jail deputy and even took the Civil Service exam.

His daughter wrote, "I need my dad here to help me and watch me grow. Please let my dad come home."

Last Friday, a federal judge in Rochester ruled Mattice could be released under very strict pretrial conditions. However, the government asked for an emergency stay that would keep Mattice behind bars until the Government’s appeal is heard.

The U.S. Attorney on the case filed a reply to the court Thursday noting that none of the letters of support of Mattice even talked about his participation in the riot. He went on to say it appears his family knew and supported his conduct at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and there are consequences for those actions.

You can read the letters below:

Mattice Letters of Support by News10NBC on Scribd

Mattice’s attorney has argued her client is a victim of former President Trump. She says her client is not a danger to the community or a flight risk.

Mattice is due back in D.C. Federal court at 11 a.m. on Friday via video conference to review the release order. We’ll keep you posted.