Two years after the death of counterprotester Heather Heyer at the infamous “Unite the Right” rally, James A. Fields Jr. has been sentenced to life in prison for her death.

Fields received his conviction on Friday after U.S. Judge Michael Urbanski heard testimony from witnesses and the defense, who recounted the details of the rally, reports CNN.

In August 2017, white nationalists, neo-Nazis and other groups convened in Charlottesville to protest the city’s decision to remove a Confederate statue. During the rally, Fields drove his vehicle into a group of counterprotesters, killing Heyer and injuring dozens of others.

Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro, gave the final prosecution statement during the trial.

“I don’t know if Mr. Fields can ever be trusted in society. I hope he can heal someday and help others heal, too,” she said.

Prosecutors are briefing the media and are very pleased with the life sentences handed to James Fields Jr. @8news
pic.twitter.com/wLusCAE0c2

— Talya Cunningham (@Talya8news) June 28, 2019

“I know that he had a difficult childhood. I know that he has mental health issues. But I know lots of people with those same issues who did not commit murder,” Bro said in an interview with CNN on Thursday.

“Their lives will truly never be the same.” —Federal officials on the victims of James Fields Jr.’s crime. @NBC12

— Olivia Ugino (@OliviaNBC12) June 28, 2019

Prior to the rally, Fields posted his beliefs on social media and “expressed support of the social and racial policies of Adolf Hitler,” the federal indictment stated.

Though Fields pled for a lesser sentence at an earlier hearing, he showed no emotion during his sentencing on Friday. In March, he pled guilty to 29 of 30 federal hate crimes charges, reports NBC News.

Fields will be officially sentenced on July 15. At the moment, the jury recommends life in prison plus 419 years.

James-Fields

Get relevant content delivered to you once a week