Hate crime charges leveled after Charlottesville attack

In this Aug. 12, 2017, file photo, people fly into the air as a vehicle is driven into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, US. Federal hate crime charges have been filed against James Alex Fields Jr., accused of driving the car. (Ryan M. Kelly/The Daily Progress via AP, File)

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia: Federal authorities have leveled hate crime charges against the 21-year-old man accused of plowing a car into protesters in Charlottesville last year, killing a woman.
James Alex Fields Jr. was indicted Wednesday on 30 federal charges stemming from the attack against those protesting a white nationalist rally. Fields had already been charged with murder in state court.
One of the federal charges is death-penalty eligible, although US Attorney Thomas Cullen says that decision has not yet been made.
Prior to the attack, authorities say the Maumee, Ohio, man engaged in chants promoting white supremacy and other racist and anti-Semitic views.
The attorney representing Fields on those counts declined to comment. Fields is expected to appear in federal court soon, possibly next week.