(Charlottesville, VA.) - A judge has denied bond for an Ohio man accused of plowing his car into a crowd at a white nationalist rally in Virginia.
The Associated Press reports Judge Robert Downer said during a bond hearing Monday he would appoint a lawyer for James Alex Fields Jr., who is charged with Second Degree Murder and and three counts of Malicious Wounding. Fields made his appearance by video conference in Charlottesville General District Court. Field originally form Florence Kentucky could also face federal charges, depending on the outcome of an FBI investigation.
Authorities say Fields drove into the crowd, fatally injuring Heather Heyer, 32, and hurting 19 others, at the Saturday rally.
A close friend of the Heyer says she cared about people and stood up for equality. Marissa Blair said Sunday night at a vigil where the crash happened that Heather Heyer's death was "an act of terror." She says it's a hate crime and should be treated as such. Blair says she was with Heyer when the crash happened recalling that the driver "barreled down," and she could hear the wheels as he accelerated.
She says the driver "deserves everything he gets and more."
Two Virginia state troopers were killed when a helicopter patrolling the scene crashed into a wooded area outside of Charlottesville. State police identified the victims as pilot Lt. H. Jay Cullen, 48, and Trooper-Pilot Berke M.M. Bates, 40. Both men died at the scene. Their helicopter was "assisting public safety resources with the ongoing situation in Charlottesville," according to a police statement.