A Multnomah County judge sentenced a white man, Russell Courtier, to life in prison with a minimum of 28 years for the murder of 19-year-old African American Larnell Bruce Jr. on Tuesday, April 16.
Courtier was also found guilty of second-degree intimidation, which functions as Oregon’s hate crime statute.
The surveillance video played at the trial showed Bruce standing outside a convenience store in Gresham in 2016 when a Jeep drove up and parked. Courtier, 40, and his girlfriend Colleen Hunt, 37, were in a Jeep Wrangler driven by Courtier.
Russell Courtier was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 32 years for his role in the death of 19 year old Larnell Bruce Jr. Courtier’s GF Colleen Hunt plead guilty to first degree manslaughter. She got 12 years. His death was a hate crime. #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/bRiqW78uFo
— Chris Liedle (@chrisliedle) April 16, 2019
Soon after, a fistfight erupted, but the prosecution isn’t sure what prompted the fight. As the video continued one could see the men going in different directions initially, but later it showed Bruce sprinting down a street and then a sidewalk in a desperate attempt to get away from Courtier chasing him with the Jeep.
Then, Courtier fatally hit Bruce with the vehicle. He died several days later in the hospital.
KATU News covered Courtier’s hearing, where prosecutor David Hannon told Judge Jerry Hodson that Courtier was a member of the “European Kindred” white supremacist gang. He also said Courtier was violent and “unapologetic” for his extremist views.
“You allowed the devil to misguide you and take the life of such a beautiful young spirit,” said Christina Miles, Bruce’s mother during the emotional eight-day hearing, reported KATU.
Larnell Bruce Sr., the victim’s father, said he hoped Courtier spends his time in prison thinking about whether he wants his own son, who is 8, to grow up among white supremacists.
“That ideology that you have is not good for anybody,” he said.
Courtier’s eyes turned red and began to tear up as he listened, but when given an opportunity by the judge, Courtier declined to make any statements. His lawyers, John Robb, and Kevin Sali said they’d advised him not to speak. He is already serving a four-year sentence for his role in a 2015 bar attack.
White man who murdered African American teenager 19-year-old Larnell Bruce Jr
out of racial hatred, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 28 years before he’s eligible for release.— The Crisis Magazine (@thecrisismag) April 18, 2019
The Jeep used in the attack belonged to Courtier’s girlfriend, Colleen Hunt, who was in the passenger seat and encouraged Courtier to go after Bruce and eventually hit him.
After the hearing, jurors found Courtier guilty of murder, hit-and-run driving, and second-degree intimidation, the hate crime under Oregon law. Hunt pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The sentencing was likely Oregon’s first hate crime murder conviction in Oregon in 30 years, reported KATU.
Family released green balloons to draw attention to organ donation and honor life of Larnell Bruce, Jr. #LiveOnK2 pic.twitter.com/NMxTObbjjY
— Mary Loos (@MLoosKATU) April 16, 2019
Natasha Bruce, Larnell’s stepmother told the news outlet they have created a non-profit, Love and Live #LarnellBruce Foundation, in honor of their son to help victims of hate crime. It also raises awareness of organ donation, because Bruce’s organs were submitted for transplant and have saved five lives, the family said.
