2015/05/01 – A Smith County man whose mother said he burned a cross in her yard before beating and shooting her boyfriend has been indicted by a grand jury for aggravated assault.

The case made national news after Jeff Daniels of Raleigh allegedly attacked Craig Wilson in front of his home August of last year. Two weeks before, a burning cross had been left in Wilson’s front yard.

Daniels was arrested and freed on a $20,000 bond.

The indictment states Daniels “did purposely, knowingly or recklessly and feloniously cause serious bodily injury to Craig Wilson, under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life …”

If convicted, Daniels could face up to 20 years in prison.

Daniels’ mother Gaylene said her son committed a hate crime after leaving a burning cross in her and Wilson’s yard after Wilson’s mixed-race grandchildren had visited their home.

Daniels was not charged with a hate crime in connection with the cross burning.

Under Mississippi law, the penalties can be imposed “if the felony or misdemeanor was committed because of the actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, ethnicity, religion, national origin or gender of the victim.”

Source: The Clarion-Ledger

Kate Royals