NEW YORK (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 240 years in prison for terrorizing patrons at a New York City bar during a bizarre hostage ordeal more than a decade ago.
Steve Johnson cursed at the judge and railed about the economy during his sentencing Friday in the 2002 kidnapping at Bar Veloce in the East Village.
Johnson invaded the bar with three pistols, a samurai sword and a container of kerosene. He shot and wounded three people and sprayed kerosene on several customers.
A jury convicted Johnson last month of charges including attempted murder. Authorities say Johnson, who is black, targeted white patrons.
It was the 45-year-old’s third trial. The first trial deadlocked in 2004. The second resulted in a conviction and a 240-year prison sentence but was overturned on appeal.
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Steve Johnson: Man Gets 240 Years In 2002 NYC Bar Hostage Ordeal was originally published on newsone.com
