Man Who Ran Over Charlottesville Protester Sentenced To Life Plus 419 Years
Charlottesville First aid workers help those hurt by a car deliberately plowing into a crowd demonstrating against white supremacists marching. Image by Getty Images
(JTA) — A jury in Charlottesville, Virginia, recommended a sentence of life in prison plus 419 years for the man who rammed his car into a group of counterprotesters at a far-right rally, killing 32-year-old Heather Heyer.
The jury in the Virginia district court made its recommendation for the sentencing of James Alex Fields Jr., 20, on Tuesday following four hours of deliberations over two days, including listening to statements from victims. It also recommended a fine of nearly half a million dollars.
On Friday, the same jury found Fields guilty of first-degree murder on its first day of deliberations following a trial of nearly two weeks.
Fields also was convicted on nine other counts, including hit and run, for injuring at least 20 others with his vehicle.
He also is charged with 30 federal hate crimes, which will involve a federal trial.
The rally on Aug, 12, 2017, was held under the banner of “Unite the Right.” It was organized originally to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
