Life-term for Indian techie’s killer in US

NEW YORK: Adam Purinton of Olathe, Kansas, was on Tuesday sentenced to three consecutive life sentences on federal hate crime charges for killing Kuchibhotla and wounding two other men – Indian national Alok Madasani and Kansas resident Ian Grillot -- at a suburban Kansas City bar last year.

“My husband was more than what you chose to address him as. Always kind, caring, and respectful to others. Srinu and I came to the United States of America full of dreams and aspirations .... Now, my American Dream – and that of Srinu’s – is broken,” Sunayana Dumala said in a statement read out in court on Tuesday as Purinton was sentenced.

Addressing Purinton in her victim-impact statement, Dumala said if Purinton could have kept his anger inside and spoken to her husband softly, “Srinu would have been more than happy to share his background and help you understand that not every brown skinned person is suspicious or evil, but kind, smart and contributing to America.”

In her statement, she further said, “Use the time that is being given to you to educate yourself and inform others who are still out in the open and stop them from killing innocent people as you did - choosing violence over kindness.”

“The crimes at issue in this case are detestable,” Sessions said. “The defendant acted with clear premeditation in murdering one man, and attempting to murder a second man, simply because of their race, religion, and national origin. As a result, a promising young life has been tragically cut short, and other lives have been filled with suffering.”

Earlier this year, Purinton pleaded guilty in federal court to hate crime and firearm offences arising out of the shooting.