No prison time for man who shot Aurora protesters while aiming at Jeep on I-225 – Aurora, Colorado

Aurora, Colorado 2022-05-17 19:05:45 –
A man who shot two men on Interstate 225 in the summer of 2020 aimed at a jeep that broke into a crowd of protesters was sentenced to 120 days in prison on Tuesday and then five years of probation.
Samuel Young, 24, earlier this year Convicted of seven felony charges After firing five bullets during a protest against police violence in Aurora on July 25, 2020, two assaults, four manslaughter charges, and one tort gun fire. It was counted.
Judge Ben Reutweiler of the 18th Judicial District considered sending Young to jail, but decided that probation would serve the benefit of justice because of Young’s social service, regret, and lack of criminal records. Said. He called Young’s actions “terrifying” and said he had a hard time finding the right sentence.
“I had a hard time from the day the jury returned the verdict,” he said. “This is a rare case … I often see people committing repeatedly. No criminal record. You are a young person, 24 years old, well educated and have helped others. It has a history and is needed at home, and you have shot into a crowd of hundreds completely indiscriminately. “
Young injured two when marching with a crowd of hundreds on I-225. When the jeep driver approached the group from behind and boarded the group, the crowd blocked traffic in all lanes and caused a panic.
Young pulled a gun and fired five ammunition as protesters shouted and ran to get out of the jeep driver’s path. He fired two shots behind the jeep and two shots at the protesters. One was shot in the foot and the other grabbed his head. A woman who jumped off the freeway in a panic broke her leg.
Michael Ciaglo, Getty Images
When Jeep is rushing through a crowd of people protesting Elijah McLean’s death on I-225 in Aurora on July 25, 2020, people run out of the way.
Young apologized to those who shot and injured during the hearing of the decision on Tuesday and said he was responsible for his “wrong” decision to shoot the jeep.
“It all happened so fast, I just didn’t have time to think to react,” he said. “My reaction was wrong … I can’t get the bullet back. I immediately regretted what I did and wanted to repair the damage.”
Joseph Sagrilo, a man whose leg was shot, testified on Tuesday that a bullet had hit his femoral artery. He was taken to the hospital for five hours of emergency surgery and spent months recovering. Sagrilo, who testified remotely, said he suffered serious trauma from the shooting.
“You can’t get around it,” Sagrillo said. “His actions had a direct negative impact on my life. I am here today to plead for generosity, even when considering the pain I have experienced.”
Sagrillo asked Young to escape imprisonment and instead wanted to meet Young as part of the restorative justice process. This is a system that focuses on criminals directly compensating victims.
“Sometimes forgiveness is necessary to correct the wrong thing and end the cycle of social harm,” Sagrilo said.
Assistant District Attorney Tom Burns called on Young to be sentenced to six years in prison, saying judges should set an example for Young to prevent future shootings at protests and rallies. ..
“There was no reason he should have brought a gun to protest on the interstate and used it against the driver on the freeway,” Burns said. “It was reckless, and we are all grateful and fortunate that no one was killed that day.”
After the decision, Mr Burns said he respected the judge’s decision. Young’s official defenders and his family declined to comment.
Young in custody receives credit for a 50-day service period.
The Jeep driver, who got off the freeway after the shooting and contacted the police, was not held criminally liable.
No prison time for man who shot Aurora protesters while aiming at Jeep on I-225 Source link No prison time for man who shot Aurora protesters while aiming at Jeep on I-225