Man convicted of burning black church after Obama's election - KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar Bluff

Man convicted of burning black church after Obama's election

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  • Monday, May 20 2013 11:39 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:39:58 GMT
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    When preparing for a job interview, you know you need to dress the part, prepare and practice answering questions.But sometimes what you're not saying could cost you the job.Joyce Hunter said employers often make decisions about job seekers within 30 seconds of meeting them, or even before they shake hands. In addition to body language, you should be sure you're appearance is looking neat, tidy and well-dressed.Copyright 2013 KFVS. All rights reserved.
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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) - A jury on Thursday convicted a 26-year-old white man in what prosecutors say was the racially motivated burning of a predominantly black church just hours after Barack Obama was elected president in 2008.

The all-white, 12-member jury found Michael Jacques guilty on Thursday of all the charges he faced in the burning of Macedonia Church of God in Christ in Springfield, Massachusetts. He faces 10 to 60 years in prison.

Prosecutors portrayed Jacques and two friends who pleaded guilty as racists who were upset at the election of the first African-American president.

However, Jacques, his lawyer and family say he's not racist and only confessed during a police interrogation because he suffered withdrawal from painkillers.

"They've got it all wrong. I'm innocent," Jacques told a TV reporter.  "I'm not racist."

"I believed that he had a very, very viable defense," said defense attorney Lori Levinson.  "He did have a viable defense and we will be appealing."

 Jacques is a free man until noon Friday.  he'll be back at the federal courthouse where U.S. Marshals will take him into custody until his sentencing in September.

 

 

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