El Paso, Texas (AP) The gunman who killed 23 people in a racist attack at a Walmart in El Paso, one of the deadliest mass shootings in American history, pleaded guilty to capital murder in state district court on Monday.
Patrick Crusius was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole following the massacre near the US-Mexico border. Local prosecutors removed the death penalty from consideration, prompting the plea change.
Crusius has admitted that he targeted Hispanics on August 3, 2019, when he opened fire in a Walmart in the Texas border city that was packed with weekend shoppers from the United States and Mexico.
El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya declined to seek the death penalty, citing a majority of victims’ relatives who want the case to be resolved.
Joe Spencer, a defence attorney in both state and federal cases, stated that the plea agreement provides “judicial finality” to the case and avoids a lengthy proceeding.
“He brought violence and terror to a place of peace,” Spencer said. “He shattered lives and permanently altered the landscape of El Paso.” We send our heartfelt condolences.
“Patrick will leave prison only in a coffin on God’s time,” Spencer told reporters.
Crusius has already received 90 consecutive life sentences at the federal level after pleading guilty to hate crimes and weapons charges.
Crusius was expressionless before the hearing began at the El Paso County courthouse, which was heavily guarded. Crusius donned a striped jumpsuit, shackles, and a protective vest.
Approximately 100 victims’ families were seated in the gallery behind a few rows reserved for media, prosecutors, and Crusius’ defence team. They will be given time to provide victim impact statements beginning Monday afternoon. Dozens of people made emotional statements during a three-day federal court hearing in 2023.
Crusius, a white community college dropout, was 21 years old when he allegedly drove more than 700 miles (1,100 kilometres) to El Paso from his home near Dallas.
Shortly after posting a racist rant online warning of a Hispanic “invasion,” he opened fire inside and outside the store with an AK-style rifle. Crusius was arrested shortly thereafter.
Spencer stated that Crusius has been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, which is characterised by hallucinations, delusions, and mood swings, and has suffered from debilitating mental illness for the majority of his life.
“You are talking about an individual with a broken brain,” he said on Thursday.
A 15-year-old high school athlete was among those killed at Walmart, as were elderly grandparents. They included immigrants, a retired city bus driver, a teacher, tradesmen, one of whom was a former iron worker, and several Mexican nationals who had crossed the border on routine shopping trips.
