RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — The man accused of defacing the Jefferson Davis monument appeared in court Thursday morning.
39-year-old Joseph Weindl pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of destruction of property. Police have said Weindl spray-painted an “L” on the granite base of the monument on June 28, just days after someone else wrote “Black Lives Matter.”
Weindl says the “L” stood for “loser.”
“A lot of people are really angry at me right now and that’s understandable,” Weindl told 8News after entering his guilty plea.
But he says not all the response has been negative.
“I have had a lot of friends show me a lot of support because I’m not a bad guy. I’m not trying to destroy that monument,” he said.
The judge accepted a plea agreement between Weindl and the City of Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Weindl will pay $200 in restitution and complete 100 hours of community service in the next four months, according to his attorney Daniel Watkins.
“It’ll be something along the lines of picking up trash and community service through the Richmond Police Department,” said Watkins.
Weindl was sentenced to 90 days in jail, with all 90 days suspended, subject to three years of good behavior.
“I am sorry for what I did. I regret it and I am going to pay for it,” said Weindl.
Weindl’s attorney says his client wants to find legal and positive ways to foster dialogue on the issue.
Stay with 8News for more.
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