Black musician savagely attacked by Patriot Front fanatics says he thought they were going to kill him
A black musician who was savagely attacked by Patriot Front fanatics has said that he thought they were going to kill him.
A black musician who was savagely attacked by Patriot Front fanatics has said that he thought they were going to kill him.
Charles M. Murrell III has testified that he was walking in the Back Bay area of Boston on July 2 in 2022 when members of the white supremacist group surrounded him and beat him up in a violent, racially motivated attack.
A hearing is currently taking place at the US District Court in Boston to determine how much money the Patriot Front owe Mr Murrell for the attack that violated his civil rights.
In a harrowing description of the incident, Mr Murrell told the hearing that: I thought I was going to die.
The 37-year-old said he blacked out during the attack was shocked when he later saw pictures in the press showing the white supremacists pressing a shield against his head and pushing him into a light post.
Charles M. Murrell III has testified that he was walking in the Back Bay area of Boston on July 2 in 2022 when members of the white supremacist group surrounded him and beat him up in a violent, racially motivated attack
The 37-year-old said he blacked out during the attack was shocked when he later saw pictures in the press showing the white supremacists pressing a shield against his head and pushing him into a light post
The marchers were all white and dressed identically and wearing white neck gaiters covering most of their faces. They were walking with a banner which said: Reclaim Americ. on July 2, 2022
US District Judge Indira Talwani found Patriot Front and Rousseau, of Grapevine, Texas, liable for the attack after they failed to respond to a civil rights suit filed by Murrell in August 2023.
Lawyers representing Mr Murrell are seeking an unspecified amount for damages and legal fees, the Boston Globe has reported.
Mr Murrell, an educator and classically trained musician, was on his way to play the saxophone outside Bostons Public Library when he encountered a large group of when marching and waving flags.
The marchers were all white and dressed identically and wearing white neck gaiters covering most of their faces. They were walking with a banner which said: Reclaim America.
Mr Murrell told the court that he was attempting to film the group with his cellphone but was unable to unlock his phone because he was so nervous. He said the group surrounded him and started chanting tar baby and other things he didnt understand.
The group then repeatedly hit him and wouldnt let Mr Murrell walk away. He said he was terrified that they might throw him into the oncoming traffic on the busy road nearby.
Surveillance footage from Boston Police, that was played in court, showed Mr Murrell walking along the sidewalk carrying his saxophone before he was then shoved into the light pole by the group.
A witness testified that she rushed to help Mr Murrell after watching the attack unfold.
Katrina Jabro told the hearing that there was a considerable amount of blood on his hands.
Patriot Front is a white supremacist group founded by Dallas man Thomas Ryan Rousseau. Nobody has been charged with the assault on Mr Murrell
He was taken to Tufts Medical Center in Boston where he was treated for cuts to his head, hand, and face.
Mr Murrell said that his hands sometimes lock up preventing him from playing his saxophone and panic attacks and paranoia have prevented him from performing in streets anymore.
This has led to a drop in his income from $1,200 a week to just $100.
Tina Adams, a licensed clinical psychologist who evaluated Murrell, testified that since the attack he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxiety.
She described the attack as the most traumatic event of Mr Murrells life.
In another video from police body cameras, Mr Murrell can be seen crying while being interviewed by police as he asks why no arrests had been made.
Nobody has been charged with the assault. As the members were leaving the city in a U-Haul truck they were stopped by State Police who issued a criminal citation for driving with an allegedly unregistered Arizona license plate.
Members of the Patriot Front, which spilt from the Fascist organization Vanguard America following the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville Va. in 2017, have failed to respond to repeated notices about the pending civil suit.
The group is pictured standing in front of the Boston Public Library carrying flags, near where Murrell was attacked
US District Judge Indira Talwani found Patriot Front and Rousseau, of Grapevine, Texas, liable for the attack after they failed to respond to a civil rights suit filed by Murrell in August 2023
Attempts were made by Mr Murrells lawyers to notify the group about the case. Attorney James Gross said in court on Wednesday that Neither defendant has chosen to participate.
As a result the lawyer said all of Mr Murrells allegations are deemed to be true.
Judge Talwani expected to issue a final judgement after hearing testimony from Mr Murrell and the other witnesses over the two day hearing.
