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A New Jersey man has been sentenced after fatally punching a man who called him the n-word.
41-year-old Anthony Collins was sentenced to three years in prison in connection to the October 1 death of Robert May, 70, per The Root.
Prior to May's death, Collins' lawyer, Terrence Turbach, said the man had harassed his client's children for months and called them racial slurs. Tensions came to a head in September 2023 when Collins and his fiance were approached by May at a corner store.
Collins alleged that May ran into his fiance with his bike. May also allegedly called Collins the n-word, prompting the 41-year-old to punch him once in the face. The punch sent May to the ground, where he hit his head on the curb.
“[Collins was] dealing with an individual he was well aware of from the standpoint that he had called his children ‘ni**er kid’ over eleven to twelve occasions,” Turnbach previously said. “Their alleged victim was looking for my client, assaulted his wife, and called him a name that’s reprehensible.”
May refused medical treatment at the scene. However, the 70-year-old began exhibiting signs of “erratic” behavior at home.
May was later taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. According to an autopsy report, May's death was ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma.
May turned himself in to the police on October 15 and has been in custody at Ocean County Jail. In June 2024, Collins pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Collins will be required to serve 85 percent of his 3-year sentence per the state’s No Early Release Act.
“Mr. Collins has accepted responsibility for his conduct on September 18, 2023,” Turnbach said in a statement. “He is eager to complete his period of incarceration and return to his children, his fiancé and his work.”
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