This was reported by various American media on Monday. The 19-year-old is charged in New York State with domestic terrorism and murder as hate crimes, among other charges. He risks a life sentence.
He also faces charges under federal law including hate crimes and using a firearm in a murder, to which he pleaded not guilty. The sentences associated with the charges under federal law tend to be higher than those at the state level – the death penalty would be possible.
The heavily armed man opened fire in front of and in a supermarket in Buffalo in mid-May. In addition to ten deaths, at least three were injured. The shooter was arrested at the crime scene. The investigators assume a racist motive on the part of the defendant – 11 of the 13 victims were black. A 180-page manifesto had also appeared on the internet with racist and violent statements attributed to the suspect.
(SDA)