John White Sentenced
John White, a 54 year old black man was sentenced to two to four years for shooting a 17 year old, Daniel Cicciaro Jr, in his driveway with an illegal handgun in August of 2006. Whites' teenage son Aaron had been feuding with Cicciaro. White was convicted in December of 2007, and many expected he would receive up to 15 years in prison for the conviction of manslaughter. During the trial, White explained that when he was younger he heard stories of about the
Ku Klux Klan burning his grandfathers business down in the 1929's and he feared a similar attack. White was sentenced on May 19, 2008.
The lenient sentence came as a shock to the family of Cicciaro. In an emotional response following the sentencing, Cicciaro Sr. made the comment ""Well, let's see what happens when Aaron White gets shot and see how the laws are". Whites' defense attorney believed the comment to be a threat and the matter was referred to the authorities. The White family was assigned protection for their home. John White is seeking an appeal for the conviction.
Fast Facts:
- White claimed the gun accidentally went off when Cicciaro lunged at him.
- Whites defense believes Cicciaro's friends who accompanied him should be also held responsible and charged
- Defense Attorney: Frederick Brewington
- White's defense compared Cicciaro and others with him as a lynch mob
- White convicted of second degree manslaughter, and weapons charge
- $200,000 bail
- Whites handgun was illegal
- Son Aaron White 19 at time of shooting
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