TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Kate Prince on Mar 24, 2022

Hendersonville resident Wesley Somers, 26, has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to burn down the Metro Courthouse in 2020 after protests that followed the death of George Floyd, the Associated Press reports. Somers pleaded guilty to federal arson charges last summer. The courthouse was graffitied, some of its windows were smashed and a fire was set inside following the gathering. Tips from citizens helped Nashville police identify Somers in video clips and photos from the incident. U.S. Attorney Mark H. Wildasin said his office would “always defend” an individual’s First Amendment rights, but “will not tolerate the actions of those who choose to exploit peaceful protest by resorting to violence and intimidation.”