Racist Shooter in Texas Sentenced to 90 Consecutive Life Sentences

A judge on Friday sentenced a young American supporter of white supremacy to 90 consecutive life sentences for a shooting in 2019 at a Walmart store in Texas that resulted in the deaths of 23 people and injuries to 22 others. According to Reuters, the ruling by a district judge in El Paso, Texas, was based on an agreement made in February in which Patrick Crusius, the 24-year-old shooter, confessed to his crime to avoid the death penalty and agreed to 90 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. However, he still faces charges from the state of Texas that could lead to the death penalty. His charges include 45 counts of hate crimes and 45 counts of using a firearm during a violent crime. Crusius did not speak in court. According to the Texas Tribune, his lawyer, Joe Spencer, stated in a statement that his client suffers from a mental illness that drove him to the shooting. However, prosecutors rejected this claim, stating that Crusius knew what he was doing during the 'mass shooting.' Margaret Lechman, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas who prosecuted the case, said in a written statement that she hopes the court's ruling brings some 'peace' to the victims' families. Lechman stated, 'The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Texas will continue to actively prosecute individuals who commit violence out of bias or hatred and will seek justice for the victims and their loved ones.' Crusius's federal sentencing followed two days of emotional testimony from witnesses, including some of the 22 injured survivors and relatives of the 23 deceased, in his presence.