U.S. District Court Judge Randy Moss has set the first trial date in the Capitol riots case on May 10. The first trial will see 18-year-old, Bruno Cua a Georgia man appear before a Washington DC jury. 

However, even as he set the date, Judge Moss hinted at the rescheduling of the hearing due to the COVID-19 pandemic and several other reasons, reports local media. 

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The pandemic has posed a challenge in managing court hearing. There are more than 300 cases related to the January 6 Capitol Riots. Moss said, “I think everyone realizes this may have to get changed.” 

Cua, who may be the youngest of the rioters posted a string of social media posts before and after the attack supporting the violence, reported Politico. He entered a not guilty plea through his attorney Wednesday.

Bruno wrote on a right-wing platform Parler, “On JAN 6th congress will open their blinds and see MILLIONS OF ANGRY #PATRIOTS. OPEN CARRY MISSON [sic]. If they vote for sleepy joe and commie KAMALA, we BREAK DOWN THEIR DOORS AND TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK BY FORCE!” 

Cua also promoted action against Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and posted “WHEN IS IT TIME TO DRAG HIM OUT OF HIS MANSION? IM READY!!! THIS IS OUR #1776.”

As per prosecutors, Cua’s case is particularly serious due to these posts. He is accused of assaulting a police officer while armed with a telescoping baton, interfering with police during civil disorder, obstruction of Congress and other offences. 

Surveillance videos show Cua holding a baton while sizing up a police officer in a hallway near the Senate chamber. He eventually made it onto the Senate floor during the disturbance. Moss asked to see the actual video before making a decision on whether to release Cua, who has been in jail since he was arrested on February 5.

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Judge Moss said, “Perhaps most troubling, sort of with uncanny foresight, he knew what was going to happen. He was posting about going to the Capitol for the purpose of violence before it happened … He predicted things were going to happen that I never in a million years would imagine would happen at our Capitol. They were just shocking and appalling. … Talking about public execution of people who work for Congress.” 

A key factor contributing to setting a trial date for Cua is whether he will be released and sent back to his parent’s place or will continue to remain in jail. The delaying of the hearing is acceptable to the defense attorneys if the accused is sent back home in Milton, Ga. 

A problematic link in Cua’s case is his parent’s role in the situation. On January 6, his parents had driven him to the Capitol in Washington and spectated the incident as their son went inside the building. 

As per prosecutors, Cuo’s parents themselves could be charged as they may have crossed police lines on the day of the attack. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Paschall said, “They did nothing about it and the defendant was not picked up for another month.” 

Trials in the D.C. federal court have been suspended through March 15 as per a coronavirus-related order from the chief judge. That order has been repeatedly extended during the pandemic. 

Defense attorney Jon Jeffress said, “If they’re going to ask for him to be locked up, then they need to be in a position to try the case, I don’t want to put the court to any inconvenience or the jury in a dangerous COVID situation before anyone can be vaccinated. …This is what the government’s actions are forcing.”