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Judge denies bond for Charlottesville beating suspect Dan Borden

Judge denies bond for Charlottesville beating suspect Dan Borden
Posted at 2:03 PM, Sep 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-21 14:44:09-04

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- A judge denied bond for a former Mason High School student accused in the beating of a black man at a white supremacist rally in August, according to the Circuit Court Clerk's office.

Charlottesville police charged Daniel Borden, 18, with malicious wounding weeks after after video and photos surfaced online showing several white men attacking 20-year-old Deandre Harris on Aug. 12 in a Charlottesville parking garage.

Borden appeared in Charlottesville General District Court via video Thursday morning. 

WARNING: The below video contains graphic images and language.

Sgt. J. Via, with the Charlottesville Police Department, said on Aug. 15 police considered Borden a person of interest.

Borden was arrested Aug. 25; he initially fought extradition back to Virginia while he was being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center. 

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.

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."

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."

Borden’s next court appearance is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 12.