Kuchibhotla’s killer pleads guilty to hate crime charge
WASHINGTON: Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla’s killer Adam Purinton, already serving a life sentence for the murder, has pleaded guilty to three federal charges of hate crime in a US court.
Purinton was facing death for the hate crime charges, brought against him by the federal government, but is expected to be sentenced for life under the guilty plea agreement. Sentencing in the case is scheduled for June 2.
Purinton, a white US Navy veteran who turned 53 on Monday, admitted he had shot Kuchibhotla and his friend Alok Madasani, “attempting to kill both men, because of their race, colour, religion, and national ori- gin the office of US attorney for Kansas said. He was sentenced to life on May 5 for murdering Kuchibhotla and attempting to murder Madasani and a local man Ian Grillot.
Kuchibhotla’s widow Sunayana Dumala, who did not attend the court hearing, said, “Today’s change in the federal hate crime case against the murderer of my husband Srinu is a significant step to putting an end to hate crimes committed against people of colour and from different cultures. The actions of the court today send a strong message that hate is never acceptable.”
Purinton had earlier pleaded not guilty to hate crime charges but had subsequently changed his plea to guilty, which was announced in court on Monday.
“Although Purinton has already been convicted of murder in the State of Kansas, and sentenced to life in prison, today’s plea in federal court speaks to his motive,” said FBI Kansas City special agent in charge Darrin Jones. “Purinton acknowledges that his actions were motivated by his hatred of the victims’ race, religion, colour and national origin. ”