Colorado man sentenced to 16 years on hate crime charge for Eastern Oregon stabbing

A federal judge in Eugene has sentenced a Colorado man to 16 years in prison for a hate crime that critically wounded another man at a truck-stop in Eastern Oregon.

Nolan Levi Strauss stabbed Ronnell Hughes at least twice in the neck with a 4-inch knife, on Dec. 21, 2019. Strauss, who is white, told witnesses and police he did so because of Hughes’ race, the U.S. Justice Department stated in its sentencing memo. It quoted a truck stop employee who helped subdue Strauss while awaiting police and paramedics after the attack:

“‘Why’d you fucking do it?’” the man asked as he and others secured Strauss’ hands with a belt.

“‘Because he was Black,’” Strauss responded, according to court documents. “‘And I don’t like Black people.’”

After his arrest, Strauss agreed to speak with Oregon State Police detectives. In a calm, measured voice, and with a tape recording rolling, Strauss said that he tried to kill Hughes because he was Black and launched into a series of racist and dehumanizing comments about Black people. Portions of that interview were played in court Thursday.