Skip to main content

‘Commie Killer’ Found Guilty in Attacking Black Man Amid White Nationalist Rally

 

Another person has been convicted for beating up a black man amid the white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017. On Monday, Daniel Borden entered an Alford plea, which means he admits prosecutors had enough evidence to win the case, but asserts his innocence nonetheless. Even so, Charlottesville Circuit Court Judge Rick Moore found him guilty of malicious wounding, according to C-VILLE Weekly. Records obtained by Law&Crime show that he is scheduled for a sentencing hearing on October 1. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

“His argument is he didn’t have malice in his heart or mind when he did this,” defense lawyer Mike Hallahan said on behalf of his client.

Under Virginia law, malicious wounding is done with “the intent to maim, disfigure, disable, or kill.” Unlawful wounding, a Class 6 felony, lacks this intent.

Pictures from the rally show Borden wearing a white construction hat depicting the words “commie killer.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Nina-Alice Antony said that’s him in videos depicting several men beat DeAndre Harris, who is black. Borden was holding a wooden object. Harris sustained a spinal injury and head laceration. He was actually himself charged with attacking a white nationalist at that same rally, but he was found not guilty.

Meanwhile, the men charged as his attackers aren’t faring as well in court. Jacob Scott Goodwin and Alex Michael Ramos were both convicted of malicious wounding, and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 23, according to court records obtained by Law&CrimeTyler Watkins Davis was also indicted with malicious wounding, and has a trial scheduled for July.

[Mugshot via Charlottesville, Virginia]

 

Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

Filed Under:

Follow Law&Crime: