The attorney for a Ridgefield man accused of partaking in the siege of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 is planning to use character witnesses to paint a different picture of his client during Friday’s bond hearing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Patrick McCaughey III, 23, was seen on video pushing a Capitol police officer into a doorway where he was crushed. McCaughey was held without bond after federal prosecutors argued that he's "violent" and "a danger to the community."

But documents filed this week by McCaughey's attorney describe the opposite. The motion includes eight letters from neighbors, friends and former employers. They're part of the push to get McCaughey released on bond.

One wrote, "He is a kind young man, a true gentleman" adding "...he has never been in any trouble with the law. He has been an honor student and has been active in his town."

Another said, "I cannot imagine what brought him to be involved in this event. This is not the character of the young man I got to know and who I still believe him to be."

A third asked, "Please consider returning Patrick McCaughey back to his home where he will be able to handle this process with the support of his family, friends and those who know this man and what he is capable of accomplishing in life."

Federal prosecutors counter McCaughey is a flight risk because he's a dual citizen of the United States and Germany.

They wrote, "There is clear and convincing evidence that there are no conditions or combinations of conditions which can effectively ensure the safety of any other person and the community and reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant."

McCaughey's attorney is proposing a minimum real estate bond of $450,000 and surety bonds of $250,000, He says McCaughey would be willing to wear a GPS tracking device and surrender his passport, among other conditions.