James Alex Fields, Jr., the man accused of driving his car into a group of people protesting a “Unite the Right” white nationalist rally in Charlottesville last year, was indicted on 30 federal hate crime charges Wednesday.
The incident ended up killing one person — 32-year-old Heather Heyer — and injuring dozens more.
This is the person murdered in Charlottesville.
Heather Heyer’s friends said she was a “sweet, sweet soul,” who “always spoke with conviction.”
Her favorite color was purple.
That’s what everyone wore to her memorial. pic.twitter.com/icAhMQzde6— Ellison Barber (@ellisonbarber) June 27, 2018
According to a statement from the Department of Justice, Fields’ charges include one count of a hate crime act resulting in Heyer’s death; 28 counts of hate crime acts causing injury, involving attempt to kill; and one count of racially motivated violent interference with federally protected activity.
CNN reported that according to the indictment, many of the protesters “were chanting and carrying signs promoting equality and protesting against racial and other forms of discrimination,” thus the particular charges.
“At the Department of Justice, we remain resolute that hateful ideologies will not have the last word and that their adherents will not get away with violent crimes against those they target,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions in a statement.
JUST IN: James Alex Fields Jr., accused of driving into crowd protesting a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, charged with federal hate crimes, DOJ says. pic.twitter.com/NLWls6KR5A
— NBC News (@NBCNews) June 27, 2018
He continued, “Last summer’s violence in Charlottesville cut short a promising young life and shocked the nation. Today’s indictment should send a clear message to every would-be criminal in America that we aggressively prosecute violent crimes of hate that threaten the core principles of our nation.”
Since Fields’ alleged crimes resulted in a death, his charges potentially carry the death penalty.