Ohio man guilty in cross burning seeks leniency

COLUMBUS (AP) — Attorneys for an Ohio man who pleaded guilty in a cross-burning case are asking a judge to sentence their client to community service instead of prison.

A federal complaint alleged 21-year-old Brandon Rhodes and a juvenile co-conspirator burned a cross in the yard of a black family in Morrow County in March 2011. The suspects are white.

Attorneys said in a court filing today that Rhodes would be better served performing community service in the company of minorities than serving time.

They say Rhodes regrets the incident, which happened after a night of drinking during which he’d consumed about 10 beers.

They also say Rhodes has a steady job and his only previous run-in with the law was a speeding ticket. Sentencing is set for June 21.