A Virginia man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his actions in response to hate speech.
On Monday, a jury found 27-year-old Robert Coleman guilty of second-degree murder after throwing a punch that killed 39-year-old Fedelia Montiel-Benitez.
The fatal incident occurred inside a 7-Eleven last July after an argument between the two. According to Coleman, the woman called him the n-word, which forced him to react. He then punched Montiel-Benitez once, and 10 days later, she died from her injuries.
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According to the Washington Post, prosecutors argued that the 39-year-old woman barely spoke enough English to use such a slur, but if she did, “words alone” are no reason to kill. On the other hand, Coleman’s attorneys argued that he had no intention of killing her.
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“We, of course, remain disappointed that they didn’t see it as manslaughter,” Robert Jenkins said after the jury reached their verdict. However, under the circumstances, Coleman’s team was grateful for the 10-year suggestion, since second-degree murder carries a punishment of up to 40 years behind bars.
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Although the reason for the argument remains unclear, surveillance video shows the dispute inside the store, which lasted only a few seconds. As Montiel-Benitez heads toward the door, she turns back, and that is when, according to Coleman, she dropped the n-word.
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Coleman then chases the woman outside and lands a punch that left Montiel-Benitez in a coma. He then fled the scene and was picked up the next day. At first, he denied the incident, but once he heard the woman was in critical condition, Coleman confessed, as he maintained he had no intentions of causing severe harm.
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In fact, he claimed with her big build and short hair, he thought she was a man, which is why he reacted. Coleman’s lawyers also mentioned that the woman had a .351 blood alcohol level to help prove that Coleman believed “this was going to be mutual combat, and he struck first.”
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Coleman is expected to be formally sentenced on May 24.
