CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) – A Virginia man has taken a plea deal in connection
with an assault on a marcher in last year’s deadly white nationalist rally in
Charlottesville, Virginia.
The Daily Progress reports 52-year-old Donald Blakney was originally charged with felony malicious wounding but took a plea deal Tuesday that downgraded that charge to misdemeanor assault.
He received a suspended sentence of 12 months.
Prosecutors said Blakney hit Eric Mattson on the back of the head with a cane
during the August 2017 Unite the Right rally. Mattson, of Arkansas, testified he’s a member of the Hiwaymen, a conservative group that attends protests across the country.
Blakney told police he was angry after being subjected to verbal assault, spit
on and threatened. He expressed remorse when told about Mattson’s injuries.
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