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Buffalo man charged in fiery City Hall attack awaiting release

Buffalo Police

UPDATE: The man shown on video throwing a burning laundry basket through a broken window into City Hall during a night of unrest in Buffalo May 30 was ordered by a federal magistrate Monday to be released into home confinement. But the Buffalo News reports Courtland Renford, 20, remains in custody pending an appeal of the ruling to a district judge.

Renford faces both state and federal charges in the wake of the incident. His attorney argues Renford's arrest was a "political" move, made at the direction of Attorney General William Barr.

U.S. Attorney James Kennedy said, "a federal crime, as defined by Congress, was committed."

Renford faces anywhere from 5-20 years in prison if convicted on the federal charges. That is on top of the arson and criminal mischief charges he faces in state court.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn has said Renford has a prior felony conviction, which means Renford could face a tougher sentence than he could have received, if not for that prior record.

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