White supremacist to plead guilty to torching black neighbors’ home
BY KIM JANSSEN Federal Courts Reporter kjanssen@suntimes.com January 15, 2013 5:02PM
Brian Moudry
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Updated: January 15, 2013 7:32PM
A white supremacist accused of burning down his black neighbors’ home in a racist attack plans to plead guilty, according to court papers filed this week.
Brian Moudry, 35, has until now denied torching a house rented by a black family on his block in Joliet in the early hours of June 17, 2007.
He was due to stand trial next month, but has asked to enter a guilty plea in federal court on Friday, court records show. Eight children had to move because of his alleged arson.
The ex-con has previously served time for hate crimes against African Americans, and has also claimed to be the leader of the Illinois branch of a far-right white hate group led by Matt Hale, who’s serving a 40-year prison sentence after being convicted of asking a follower in 2002 to murder U.S. District Judge Joan Lefkow.
Moudry’s face, neck and arms are covered in racist tattoos.
But in a poetic irony, an African-American federal defender — MiAngel Cody — was last summer appointed to represent Moudry, who could not afford to pay an attorney.
Cody did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Moudry, who remains in custody, faces a minimum of ten years behind bars on two of his three charges.
