Gunman who killed 23 in a racist attack at a Walmart in El Paso pleads guilty to capital murder
EL PASO Texas AP The gunman who killed people in a racist attack at a Walmart in El Paso one of the deadliest mass shootings in U S history pleaded guilty Monday to capital murder in a state district court Judge Sam Medrano recounted -year-old Patrick Crusius he failed in his attack on a region that would have welcomed him with open arms You came to inflict terror to take innocent lives and to shatter a region that had done nothing but stand for kindness unity and love You slaughtered fathers mothers sons and daughters Medrano mentioned Now as you begin the rest of your life locked away remember this your mission failed he continued You did not divide this city you strengthened it You did not silence its voice you made it louder You did not instill fear you inspired unity El Paso rose stronger and braver Crusius has acknowledged he targeted Hispanics on Aug when he opened fire in a Walmart in the Texas edge city that was crowded with weekend shoppers from the U S and Mexico Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty and for no other reason Medrano inquired him Yes your honor Crusius calmly responded Crusius who appeared in court wearing a striped jumpsuit shackles and a protective vest will be automatically sentenced to life in prison without parole The change of plea came after local prosecutors took the death penalty off the table El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya revealed that decision was driven by a majority of casualties relatives who want the situation to be over Joe Spencer one of Crusius attorneys announced Crusius has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder which can be marked by hallucinations delusions and mood swings and has suffered from debilitating mental illness for the majority of his life He reported Crusius became consumed by extreme ideologies detected online He brought violence and terror to a place of peace Spencer revealed He shattered lives and forever changed the landscape of El Paso We offer our deepest condolences Crusius has never offered an explicit apology for his actions He has already been sentenced to consecutive life terms at the federal level after pleading guilty to hate crimes and weapons charges Patrick will leave prison only in a coffin on God s time Spencer mentioned Monday About people from casualties families were seated in the courtroom gallery They will be given the time to give victim impact statements starting Monday afternoon Dozens made emotional statements during a similar hearing in federal court in that lasted for three days The white community-college dropout was years old when police say he drove more than miles kilometers to El Paso from his home near Dallas He posted a racist rant online that warned of a Hispanic invasion then opened fire with an AK-style rifle inside and outside the store Crusius was arrested shortly after The people who were killed at Walmart ranged in age from a -year-old high school athlete to elderly grandparents They included immigrants a retired city bus driver a educator tradesmen including a former iron worker and several Mexican nationals who had crossed the U S limit on routine shopping trips
