Austin Reed Edenfield walks into the U.S. District Court with his two lawyers and parents in Oxford, Mississippi before his sentencing on Thursday. Edenfield was being sentenced for his participation in vandalizing the James Meredith statue at the University in February 2014. Photo by Marlee Crawford
A former UM student was sentenced to serve 12 months probation for his role in the February 2014 vandalizing of the James Meredith statue this morning at the federal courthouse in Oxford.
In March, Austin Edenfield, 21, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of helping to intimidate black students and faculty at the University by placing a noose and pre-2003 Georgia state flag containing a Confederate battle emblem on it on the Meredith statue behind the Lyceum. This morning, he stood before U.S. District Judge Michael Mills and was sentenced to serve 12 months probation.
“The crime is serious but the punishment should fit the individual,” Judge Michael Mills said to Edenfield before his sentencing. Mills said Edenfield had no previous history of getting into trouble, had shown remorse, and had been honest and cooperative throughout the investigations.
– Lana Ferguson
