We don't need no stinkin' trial (Charlottesville)

Some facts are clear.

James Fields, a troubled 20 year, was in Charlottesville to be part of the White nationalist protest when he drove down a street at a high rate of speed striking vehicles and people and killing Heather Heyer. He then backed up, fled, and was later arrested. Among the charges he is facing is second-degree murder.

Many on social media have already convicted him of murder.

Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.

It's as if some folks would like to save time and money and not bother with a trial.

I think it likely he will be convicted of crimes - such as fleeing the scene of an accident - and face jail time.

But ...

The investigation has not been completed. He has not been tried.

Now after the investigation it may be found that he did indeed maliciously, deliberately drive into that crowd. If so, the murder charge will likely hold up.

On the other hand, the investigation may reveal that he did not do it deliberately and intentionally.

There are reports - including allegedly some video footage and pictures - that seem to show he was driving slowly down that street and only sped up after his care was attacked. There is the possibility that he panicked, hit the gas, and that led to the tragedy. And when he did hit the vehicles and people, his car was also under attack, so he fled, perhaps fearing for his life. Indeed, initial police reports describe him as scared. Scared because he got caught? Scared because of what happened? Or scared because he felt threatened?

And remember that he is a troubled 20-year-old. Twenty-year-olds notoriously show poor judgment and self-control.

In other words, the investigation might reveal mitigating circumstances that, if true, could potentially lead to conviction on lesser charges.

There's no excuse for racism. Showing up to take part in a White Nationalism protest was inexcusable.

But I used to be 20, and I know I did and said stupid things. Nothing on the scale of evil that Fields has reportedly done - I never voiced hatred for any race. ethnicity, or religious group, for example. I did, however, show poor judgment at times. I did take part in marches and protests, and they could have turned violent.

I'm not justifying anything he did. I do think he needs to be tried. And I think the movement he's part of needs to be denounced and opposed (nonviolently).

Still, I think we need to wait for the investigation to be competed and the evidence to be revealed before we try and convict him. I refuse to hate him, call him names, or slap a label on him.

Otherwise, aren't we acting with the kind of prejudice - pre-judging - and hatred we condemn him and the White Nationalists, KKK, and neo-Nazis for doing?

Instead, we need to pray for Heather Heyer, for the other victims, and, yes, for James Fields.

Pax et bonum