Accused Holocaust museum shooter dies in prison

[a kennedy]

By NAFEESA SYEED

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The death of a white supremacist accused of opening fire at the Holocaust museum has left some conflicted - not sorry he's gone, but frustrated that he won't stand trial.

The 89-year-old James von Brunn, who faced charges that could have earned him the death penalty, died Wednesday at a North Carolina federal prison while awaiting trial.

Authorities say von Brunn walked up to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum on June 10 carrying a vintage rifle and shot Stephen T. Johns, who was black, as the guard was opening the door for him. Von Brunn was shot in the face by return fire.

One of the two guards who fired back said he had mixed feelings about von Brunn's death.

"I'm shocked. I'm glad he's gone. I wish he had his day in court but it'll never come," said Harry Weeks of White Plains, Md.

Von Brunn had a long history of poor health which included chronic congestive heart failure and sepsis, said Denise Simmons, a spokeswoman at the federal prison in Butner, N.C. He had been treated for months at the prison complex, which is known for its medical facilities to house aging and sick inmates.

<http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_HOLOCAUST_MUSEUM_SHOOTING?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US>

[MindPilot]

1. Obligatory comment regarding his access to healthcare vs the average law abiding citizen. n/t

[Rebubula]

2. I will add....

...obligatory eye rolls for this tenuous connection.

:eyes: