Four men appeared in a Charlottesville courtroom Thursday in connection with last summer’s violent protests. The hearing was a first step in the process that could lead to trials.
The most serious charges were filed against James Fields, who’s accused of driving his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer and injuring 35 others. Prosecutors had originally accused him of second degree murder but announced, in court, that they have increased the charge to first degree murder, suggesting they have enough evidence to prove Fields intended to kill.
Richard Preston is accused of firing a handgun into the ground as police cleared white supremacists from Emancipation Park. His lawyer argued Preston was just defending himself from a counter protester with a makeshift flame thrower.
Two others, Alex Ramos and Jacob Goodwin, were accused of joining a mob that beat a black man with sticks and poles. Again, attorney Elmer Woodard disagreed – pointing to others in a video who he said were more likely to have injured D’Andre Harris.
The judge said he made a strong case – but in this preliminary hearing the only question was whether there was enough evidence to present to a grand jury. He felt there was and those cases will go to the grand jury Monday.
