A Georgia judge has handed down lengthy prison sentences to two people convicted over a confrontation at a child’s birthday party in 2015.
According to reports, 26 year old Jose Ismael Torres and 25 year old Kayla Rae Norton were part of a convoy of at least seven pickup trucks that drove past an 8 year old’s birthday party in Douglasville, Georgia, in July 2015. Reports say the group, which was linked to an organization called Respect the Flag, waved Confederate flags and shouted racial slurs and threats at the Black families attending. Torres was also reported to have pointed a shotgun at the child’s family.
At sentencing on Monday, the judge gave Torres 13 years for three counts of aggravated assault, one count of making terroristic threats and one count of violating Georgia’s street gang act. Norton received 6 years for one count of violating the street gang act and one count of making terroristic threats. Reports said the sentences were a year longer than what the state had asked for. Both cried in court as the sentences were read.
Norton told the court, “The worst decision I’ve ever made in my life was to not walk away when I had the chance.”
Torres and Norton were the last of 15 people convicted in the case.
Made to order and shipped to your door.
