In mid-September, the prosecutors in charge of the Frank James case pointed out that he deserved the worst punishment. This Thursday, the man who shot and detonated smoke bombs on a Brooklyn subway train was sentenced to life in prison.
Earlier this year he pleaded guilty, taking on terrorism charges. He now received a life sentence for 10 counts and 10 years for an 11th count, for discharging a firearm during an act of violence.
According to the AP, three of his victims, through tears and anger, recounted their current trauma from the court. They expressed the physical and emotional pain they continue to experience, more than a year after that inexplicable attack.
“I don’t blame him, he needs help,” said one of Frank James’ victims in court
A young man identified as BK was one of the first to speak, saying, “I haven’t been able to make sense of it,” referring to James’ actions.
Likewise, another victim, a 51-year-old man, claimed to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts since that shooting where he feared for his life.
He also said that after the shooting he decided to buy an e-bike so as not to travel on the train, but when he felt he had regained his confidence, he returned to the subway. However, he relived the horror of that day, after running into a guy wearing a vest similar to Frank James’s.
“I immediately thought of you, Frank James,” the victim said, his voice filled with anger.
For his part, Fatim Gjelosh, 21, appeared more compassionate in court. “I don’t blame him. He needs help,” he said before bursting into tears and leaving. He later returned and heard the sentence.
Frank James criticized the US mental health system
During a speech of approximately 15 minutes, prior to the life sentence, Frank James claimed to be remorseful and criticized the country’s mental health system. He even expressed having failed people of his skin color.
Federal District Court Judge William Kuntz was not convinced by the defendant’s words and stated that his decisions and actions were out of “pure evil.”
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, saying James spent years carefully planning the shooting to “inflict maximum damage,” the AP noted.
For their part, the lawyers requested a reduction of 18 years to his sentence, alleging that he did not have the intention to kill and because of his mental illness. However, nothing twisted the judge’s arm.
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Authorities arrest Frank R. James, 62, suspect in Brooklyn subway shooting
2023-10-05 22:52:00
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