Benjamin Haskell Sentenced To 9 Years For Burning Down Macedonia Church

White Man Receives 9 Year Sentence For Torching Black Church

A white man was sentenced today to nine years in prison for burning down a predominantly African-American church in Springfield, Mass., the day after Barack Obama won the presidential election. Benjamin Haskell, 24, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ponsor in Springfield for the 2008 burning of the Macedonia Church of God in Christ.

The church was under construction and 75 percent complete when it was torched, the Justice Department said. In addition to the prison term, Haskell must pay a $7,500 fine and $1.7 million in restitution, including $123,570.25 to the Macedonia Church.