by Daniel Johnson
December 10, 2023
Matthews was caught on digicam calling his Black neighbors numerous racial epithets, together with the n-word.
Edward C. Matthews, a white New Jersey man who had a historical past of racist conduct in the direction of his Black neighbors, was sentenced to eight years in jail on Dec. 8. As NBC Information reported, the 47-year-old Matthews will likely be required to serve at the least half his sentence earlier than he’s eligible for parole in reference to a 2021 incident that Matthews was caught on digicam calling his Black neighbors numerous racial epithets, together with the n-word.
Again in October, Matthews pleaded responsible to 4 counts of bias intimidation and possession of a managed substance with the intent to distribute. Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw launched an announcement detailing the county’s intent in bringing the costs in opposition to Matthews, saying, “Our workplace is dedicated to combating bias crimes and sending a transparent message that such actions won’t be tolerated in our neighborhood,” Bradshaw stated. “No person ought to must endure what these victims skilled.”
On the day Matthews engaged in his racist tirade in opposition to his neighbors, a resident within the space filed a harassment criticism in opposition to him. Later, authorities instructed NBC Information they obtained one other criticism a few man who wanted to be faraway from a neighborhood. As soon as officers arrived on the scene, they discovered Matthews “utilizing racial slurs whereas engaged in a verbal altercation with 4 residents.” As soon as officers searched Matthews residence, they discovered shrooms, or psilocin mushrooms, that are identified to have a hallucinogenic impact on those that use them.
Matthews additionally reportedly had a behavior of harassing and or terrorizing his Black neighbors, together with an occasion the place he left a threatening notice on a automobile. He had additionally been accused of stalking neighbors and smearing feces on their home windows in addition to damaging their automobiles. Matthews invoked non secular language throughout his court docket look, apologizing for his habits earlier than telling the court docket, “Each saint has a previous and each sinner has a future,” Matthews stated. “I need to decide to rebuild the neighborhood.” Matthews additionally said he was remorseful for “my insensitive and disrespectful phrases up to now.”
Matthews, who has been in custody ever since his arrest, may have that point credited to his sentence, and in response to NBC Information, will likely be eligible for parole as soon as he has served 16 months in jail.
RELATED CONTENT: Black Woman Speaks Out After Racist Assault At Kansas Excessive College
