The US Justice Department said in a court filing on Friday that it will seek the death penalty for Payton Gendron for killings motivated by his “hatred of black people.” It would be the first time the US has initiated capital punishment proceedings under President Joe Biden.
Payton Gendron is escorted out of the courtroom. Photo: REUTERS
Gendron, who was 18 at the time of the mass shooting, pleaded guilty to murder and domestic terrorism charges. He was sentenced last February to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Gendron's defense attorneys previously said he would consider pleading guilty to more than two dozen federal charges — including hate crimes and gun offenses — if the death penalty were eliminated.
His court-appointed attorneys, MaryBeth Covert and Anne Burger, said in a statement Friday they were “deeply disappointed” in the decision.
This is the first case under President Joe Biden in which the Justice Department has sought the death penalty in a case. Biden campaigned against the death penalty during the 2020 presidential race.
The White House spokesman said the US Department of Justice made the sentencing decision but President Biden's stance has not changed.
Authorities said Gendron targeted a Tops Friendly Markets store on May 14, 2022, because it was located in a predominantly black neighborhood. The massacre, which left Buffalo’s black community shocked and saddened, was carried out by victims ranging in age from 20 to 86.
According to authorities, Gendron livestreamed the attack on the social media platform Twitch and posted material online suggesting he was inspired by other racially motivated mass killings.
Mai Anh (according to Reuters)
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