Jurors in Chicago have convicted an avowed neo-Nazi of encouraging violence against the foreman of a jury that convicted another white supremacist in 2004.
After a three-day trial, the jury agreed that William A. White of Roanoke, Va. effectively threatened the foreman by posting the man’s name, photo, address and cell number online.
As the verdict was read in court Wednesday, that one-time foreman sat on a spectators’ bench, leaned forward and cried. White turned to his attorneys and shook his head.
Defense attorney Nishay Sanan told reporters later that jurors acted out from fear and not based on facts of the case. He says he’s confident the verdict will be overturned on the grounds White’s posting was protected speech.
At sentencing, White faces a maximum 10-year prison term.
