In a dramatic trial, a white supremacist who killed 10 black people at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket last year was given a life sentence. 19-year-old Payton Gendron entered a guilty plea to 25 charges, including first-degree murder and terrorist acts motivated by hatred.
Before Wednesday’s sentencing, a family member charged the killer and was tackled by security personnel. Some family members described the emotional toll in their accounts.
You’re going to come into our community and realize you don’t like black people, Barbara Macy, whose sister Catherine was killed, warned the shooter. Dude, you have no knowledge about black people. We are all fallible. Her own son cut her off by advancing on the shooter. She told the media in court, “He was pleased to see me, I was his mother.”
She remarked, “We were close. Zaire Goodman’s mother remarked in court, “You hurt one of us, you hurt us all,” as the injured Zaire Goodman battled Overwhelming guilt.
As a mother, I couldn’t deal with the anguish he was going through, said Zenetta Everhart. The terrorist decided that day that the worth of black people did not matter to him. No matter what sentence [the shooter] receives, it will never be sufficient.
Geraldine Talley, a family member of Brian Talley, was killed in the shooting. I forgive you, but not for you; I forgive you for me and this black community, he replied.
The ten victims were all black. There were three more injuries. Celestine Chaney’s son Wayne Jones reportedly said to the murderer, “You’re brainwashed. They don’t even have enough knowledge of black people to dislike them. You learn about it online.
“Man, I hope you have the guts to say sorry to these individuals.
As Tamika Harper talked about her deceased aunt Geraldine Tully, the murderer broke down in tears.
Is it true I despise you, Mrs. Harper asked him. No. Do I want you to perish? No. I want you to live. You should consider this every day of your life, in my opinion. researched the racial composition of Buffalo, which was 320 kilometers (200 miles) away from his Conklin, New York, home.
He live-streamed the May 14 attack at Tops Friendly Market while wearing ballistic armor after posting an online statement about how he was motivated by prior racially motivated shootings. But, he forewarned of copycat shootings during his Wednesday court testimony.
I killed individuals because they were black. I still can’t believe I did it, the gunman who was not eligible for parole stated. I acted out of hatred because I thought what I read online was true. Make a move. Even though I am aware that I can’t go back, I wish I could because I don’t want anyone to be inspired by what I do or who I am.
While making her ruling, Judge Susan Egan remarked, “No mercy, no understanding, no second chances for you.” Federal prosecutors may employ the death sentence for domestic and hate crimes even when New York State no longer permits it. The terrorist shooter has entered a not-guilty plea.