What happened to Charles Murrell III? Black musician sues Patriot Front over "racially motivated" assault in Boston

Black teacher and musician Charles Murrell III testified in federal court on Thursday, October 3, 2024, about an alleged assault by a white nationalist hate group two years ago. Murrell, who filed the lawsuit in August last year, claimed he was reportedly punched, kicked, and beaten with metal shields during a march in Boston.

Charles Murrell III stated that the incident happened on July 2, 2022, when he was near the Boston Public Library to play his saxophone. The members of Patriot Front allegedly surrounded him in what he described as a "coordinated, brutal, and racially motivated attack." As reported by NBC Boston, the lawsuit read:

"As a result of this beating, Mr. Murrell sustained physical injuries to his face, head, and hand, all of which required medical attention. Mr. Murrell also continues to suffer significant emotional distress to this day as a result of the incident."

The lawsuit further mentioned:

"Among other harms, those physical and emotional injuries have adversely affected Mr. Murrell’s ability to earn a living as a musician."

As reported by The Boston Globe, Murrell said he felt he was going to die during the attack. Through the suit, he is seeking an undisclosed sum of money from Thomas Rousseau, who is the head of Patriot Front.

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Patriot Front's attorney alleged Charles Murrell III was aggressor in the event: Details explored

While Murrell claimed that he was attacked and assaulted by members of the white nationalist hate group, the organization's attorney, Jason Lee Van Dyke, argued that the complainant was lying. According to Dyke, it was Murrell who was the aggressor.

When Murrell filed the suit last year, he told The Associated Press that the purpose of the suit was to hold the organization accountable and ensure that something like this wouldn't repeat itself. He also mentioned that he had a background in teaching special education.

In an article published by ABC News on October 4, it was reported that the march where the incident took place was held by Patriot Front. It was one of their annual "flash demonstrations."

The complainant further stated that he was unaware of the organization before the alleged attack. He, however, believed that he was attacked due to the slurs they used and their tone of voice. The lawsuit stated:

"[Charles Murrell III has] been plagued by severe anxiety, mental anguish, invasive thoughts, and emotional distress, including, but not limited to, persistent concern for his physical safety and loss of sleep and routinely has nightmares and flashbacks."

A witness also testified, claiming to have seen the organization members "ganging up" on Charles Murrell III during the incident two years back. Licha Nyiendo, chief legal officer at Human Rights First, who has been supporting the suit, said:

"Our goal is to decimate this extremist group and bring a national spotlight to the dangers of their extremist ideology."

The suit further argued that the incident wasn't an accident and that such occurrences had happened before. It accused the organization of using violence on anybody who had a different set of ideologies.