'He'd have helped you understand': Kuchibhotla's widow tells his murderer
What's the story
Sunayana Dumala, widow of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead in the US, told the murderer that if he had just kept his anger aside, "Srinu would have been happy to...help you understand that not every brown-skinned person is suspicious or evil." Adam Purinton, the accused, was yesterday sentenced to three consecutive life sentences on hate crime charges. He's already serving life-term for murder.
Murder
Kuchibhotla was in a bar when he was shot
Kuchibhotla and colleague Alok Madasani were at Austin's Bar and Grill on February 22, 2017. Suddenly, Purinton, who was also present, started racially abusing them. He was asked to leave. He returned with a gun, asked them if their "status is legal," and opened fire. Kuchibhotla died in a hospital. Madasani was injured. Ian Grillot, an American who had intervened, was shot too.
Arrest
Purinton confessed to a bartender 110kms away
Purinton then drove 110kms east to Clinton, Missouri, where he stopped at a restaurant and confessed to the bartender. The barman tipped the police. Five hours after the shooting, police nabbed Purinton from the bar. The man was a regular at Austin's. Locals said he had become "a drunken mess" after his father's death three years ago, and was physically and mentally disturbed.
Punishment
Purinton serving 78 years in prison, three more life-sentences added
Purinton pleaded to first-degree murder and firearm offenses. In early May, he was sentenced to life for murder. That amounts to nearly 78 years in prison according to his plea agreement. Later the same month, he pleaded guilty to three federal hate-crime charges, admitting he targeted the men because of their race, color, religion and national origin. Yesterday, he was awarded three consecutive life sentences.
Statement
'Choose kindness over violence': Dumala releases emotional statement
After the sentencing, Dumala, in an emotional statement, said: "My husband was more than what you chose to address him as. Always kind, caring, and respectful. Srinu and I came to the US full of dreams and aspirations....Now, my American Dream- and that of Srinu's- is broken." "Use this time being given to you to educate yourself and inform others....and stop them from killing innocent people as you did."
Ian Grillot
Indian-Americans raise $100,000 to help the 'true hero' who intervened
Meanwhile, the Indian-American community honored 24-year old Ian Grillot, who intervened during the crime and was shot himself, as 'A True American Hero' at the 14th annual gala of India House Houston last March. The community also raised $100,000 to help him buy a house in his hometown, Kansas. The move was supported by Dr Anupam Ray, the Consul General of India in Houston.