In a shocking account, Charles M. Murrell III, a talented black musician, recounted a terrifying experience that left him fearing for his life.
On July 2, 2022, while walking through Boston’s Back Bay area, he was surrounded and brutally assaulted by members of the white supremacist group Patriot Front.
This violent, racially charged attack has sparked a significant legal battle, as Murrell seeks justice for the violation of his civil rights.
Testimony from the Scene
During a recent hearing at the U.S. District Court in Boston, Mr. Murrell shared chilling details about the attack.
“I thought I was going to die,” he said, describing how he blacked out as the group attacked him.
He was stunned to later see photos in the media depicting the assault, where attackers pressed a shield against his head and shoved him into a light pole.
US District Judge Indira Talwani has ruled that Patriot Front and one of its members, Rousseau from Grapevine, Texas, are liable for the attack after they failed to respond to a civil rights lawsuit filed by Murrell in August 2023.
His legal team is currently pursuing damages and legal fees, though the exact amount has not been disclosed.
The Day of the Attack
Murrell, who is not only an educator but also a classically trained musician, was on his way to perform at Boston’s Public Library when he encountered a group of marchers.
These individuals, all dressed alike and sporting white neck gaiters that obscured their faces, carried a banner proclaiming, “Reclaim America.”
As Murrell attempted to record the marchers with his cellphone, his nerves got the better of him, making it difficult to unlock his phone.
He soon found himself surrounded by the group, who began chanting racial slurs and other incomprehensible phrases.
They violently assaulted him, preventing him from escaping and leaving him terrified that he would be thrown into the busy street nearby.
Evidence and Witness Accounts
Footage from Boston Police surveillance cameras played in court showed Murrell walking down the sidewalk with his saxophone before being pushed into the light pole by the group.
A witness, Katrina Jabro, testified that she rushed to assist him after witnessing the attack, noting that there was a significant amount of blood on his hands.
Murrell was taken to Tufts Medical Center, where he received treatment for injuries to his head, hands, and face.
He later shared that the trauma had lasting effects, causing his hands to sometimes lock up and preventing him from performing.
This incident has drastically reduced his income, plummeting from $1,200 a week to just $100.
The Aftermath of Trauma
Licensed clinical psychologist Tina Adams, who evaluated Murrell, testified that he now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and anxiety, labeling the attack as the most traumatic event in his life.
In a harrowing police body camera video, Murrell can be seen crying during an interview, asking why no arrests had been made.
To date, no one has been charged with the assault.
After the attack, the assailants were apprehended by State Police while leaving the city in a U-Haul truck but were only cited for driving with an allegedly unregistered Arizona license plate.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The Patriot Front, which emerged from the fascist group Vanguard America following the deadly ‘Unite the Right’ rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, has not responded to multiple notices regarding the civil suit.
Mr. Murrell’s attorney, James Gross, informed the court that both defendants have chosen not to participate, resulting in all allegations against them being considered true.
As the hearing concludes, Judge Talwani is expected to issue a final judgment after hearing testimonies from Mr. Murrell and other witnesses.
The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent in the fight against hate crimes and the protection of civil rights. What happens next remains to be seen.
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