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Charlottesville beating suspect Dan Borden fights extradition

Hearing set for Charlottesville beating suspect
Hearing set for Charlottesville beating suspect
Posted at 11:05 AM, Aug 28, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-29 15:19:36-04

Correction: A prior version of this story incorrectly stated Dan Borden did waive extradition. WCPO regrets this error.

CINCINNATI -- A former Mason High School student charged in a brutal beating at a white supremacist rally is fighting his extradition back to Virginia.

Charlottesville, Virginia police charged 18-year-old Dan Borden with malicious wounding Thursday, nearly two weeks after video and photos surfaced online showing several white men attacking 20-year-old Deandre Harris in a parking garage.

Borden was arrested Friday, and he is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.

He appeared via video for a hearing Tuesday morning. Magistrate Michael L. Bachman set his bond at $100,000. He has another hearing in Cincinnati in 30 days.

Norbert Nadel, retired judge and current Hamilton County recorder, said Borden is "delaying the inevitable."

"There will be a hearing. The papers will arrive. And he’ll be on his way back to Charlottesville," Nadel said. 

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Social media activists shared images of the beating on Twitter and social media, asking members of the public to identify the men involved. The photos eventually spread to hundreds of thousands of people.

Greg Berberich, attorney for Borden's family, claimed Borden was charged "as a consequence of rioting caused by the City of Charlottesville's decision to allow (Black Lives Matter) and Antifah (sic) members to attack those protesting the removal of Robert E. Lee's statue from a local park."

Berberich said Borden "was struck in the head and tear gassed multiple times" as he left the park.

"Dan repeatedly requested protection from Charlottesville Police and was ignored," Berberich said. "We believe Dan will be exonerated."

WARNING: The below video contains graphic images and language.

Borden attended Mason High School through his junior year but did not return for his senior year, Mason City Schools spokeswoman Tracey Carson said. In police reports, classmates said Borden had threatened violence during his middle school and high school years. One said Borden drew swastikas and called him "Jew Boy."

Charlottesville police also are looking for 33-year-old Alex Michael Ramos, of Marietta, Georgia, wanted for malicious wounding in the same parking garage attack as Borden.

Harris told WRAL in Raleigh, North Carolina that doctors used eight staples to seal his head together. He said the attackers also broke his wrist, chipped his tooth and busted his lip.

"I'm on my knees just getting beat with poles and signs and being kicked and hit," he said. "It's crazy."

Harris’ attorney, Lee Merritt, said he'll file a civil personal injury lawsuit on behalf of Harris against Borden and others involved in the attack. The others will be listed as John Doe until police identify them, Merritt said.