The Latest: No sentence yet for man who rammed protesters
December 10, 2018
"CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The Latest on the sentencing of James Alex Fields Jr. for the murder of Heather Heyer (all times local):
5:30 p.m.
Jurors have told a judge they need more time to come up with a sentencing recommendation for a man who killed a woman and injured dozens when he drove his car into counterprotesters at a white nationalist rally in Virginia last year.
The jury that convicted James Alex Fields Jr. of first-degree murder and other charges deliberated on his sentence for just under two hours Monday. Jurors then told Judge Richard Moore they would like to go home for the day and resume deliberations Tuesday morning...."
The Latest: Defense says Fields has history of mental issues | WTOP
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Expert: Fields diagnosed as bipolar at 6, hospitalized twice by 10
"James Alex Fields Jr. was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder at 6 and had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital twice by the time he was 10, according to a forensic psychology expert....
Despite his early diagnosis and a history of angry and violent outbursts, said psychologist Daniel Murrie of the University of Virginia, Fields did not meet the legal standard to be declared insane at the time he rammed his car into a group of anti-racist protesters after the Unite the Right rally had been declared an unlawful assembly.
“In order to meet the legal definition of insanity, the individual has to not understand the nature of what they’re doing,” Murrie said in Charlottesville Circuit Court. “Though it’s ultimately a legal question, I do not think Mr. Fields meets the requirements.”
Murrie testified Monday afternoon just before the jury retired to deliberate on a sentencing recommendation.
Wearing one of two sweaters he has alternated between during the course of the trial and with a new haircut resembling the one popularized by white supremacist Richard Spencer, Fields watched the testimony with a flat expression....
In court earlier Monday, Susan Bro, Heyer’s mother, read a victim impact statement to the jury....
Bro’s testimony was joined by that of three survivors of the attack, including Star Peterson, who suffered lasting and extensive leg injuries....
After nearly two hours of deliberations, jurors asked to end for the day around 5 p.m. They will resume at 10 a.m. Tuesday."
Expert: Fields diagnosed as bipolar at 6, hospitalized twice by 10
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