The self-avowed white supremacist who plowed his car into counterdemonstrators opposing a white nationalist rally in Virginia two years ago, killing a person, asks judge for mercy as sentencing looms.
FILE - This undated file photo provided by the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail shows James Alex Fields Jr. A sentencing hearing has been moved up for the self-avowed white supremacist convicted of federal hate crimes for plowing his car into a crowd of anti-racism protesters at a 2017 white nationalist rally in Virginia. Fields was originally scheduled to be sentenced July 3, 2019. A notice filed in court says the hearing has been moved to June 28.
But prosecutors countered that the avowed anti-Semite and Adolf Hitler admirer has shown no remorse since he drove the car into the counterdemonstrators on Aug. 12, 2017, killing anti-racism activist Heather Heyer and injuring others protesting against the white nationalists. Under a plea deal, federal prosecutors agreed not to pursue the death penalty against Fields. The charges he pleaded guilty to call for life in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.
In Friday’s memo, Fields’ attorneys highlighted his difficult upbringing and history of mental illness, but many of the details were redacted from public viewing. He was raised by a paraplegic single mother and suffered “trauma” by growing up knowing that his Jewish grandfather had murdered his grandmother before committing suicide, his lawyers said.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jury Finds Man Guilty of Break-Ins at Wayne Newton HomeA Nevada prison inmate was found guilty Friday of burglarizing the mansion of “Mr. Las Vegas” entertainer Wayne Newton twice a year ago and trying to break into a neighboring home.
Read more »
Man sentenced in murder of childhood friendLiam McAtasney was sentenced to life without parole for murdering his childhood friend Sarah Stern and tossing her body over a New Jersey bridge.
Read more »
Video shows man attacking TSA agents at Phoenix airport security checkpointWATCH: Man bum-rushes a security checkpoint and attacks TSA agents at a Phoenix airport, newly released surveillance video shows.
Read more »
Police Believe Three Men Still At Large In Connection With David Ortiz AttackThere already are 10 suspects in custody who are believed to be connected to the David Ortiz shooting that occurred June 9, but police believe there still are more men at large. Ortiz has been reco…
Read more »
Jury Finds Prison Inmate Guilty of Break-ins at Wayne Newton HomeWeslie Hosea Martin, 22, has previous burglary-related and firearms convictions and could face up to life behind bars as a habitual criminal at his sentencing Aug. 15 in the Newton case.
Read more »
Evictions loom for Chinatown residents who can’t find affordable housingLow-rent covenants are expiring all over Los Angeles, and tenants are scrambling to find affordable places to live, writes columnist LATstevelopez.
Read more »