Wesley Somers, a Black Lives Matter rioter who pled guilty in connection to the Nashville Courthouse riot that occurred in May 2020, was sentenced to five years in prison.
Somers’ original sentencing date, December 1, 2021, had been moved to January 18, then to February 22, then to March 8, and finally occurred on Wednesday.
Somers, in addition to five years in prison, will serve three years of supervised probation from Judge Aleta Trauger of the Middle District of Tennessee.
Somers previously pled guilty to the federal charge of Malicious Destruction of Property Using Fire or Explosives due to his actions that took place at the Metro Nashville Courthouse on May 30, 2020 in connection with the Black Lives Matter riots. Somers was the first person arrested in connection to the courthouse fire, the first to plead guilty, and the second to be sentenced.
During the hearing, Trauger pointed out that the riot caused over $600,000 in damage to the Metro Courthouse and that Somers’ conduct “amounted to attempted destruction” of the entire building. Somers had set a fire and used an accelerant on the fire.
Shelby Ligons also had previously pled guilty to the same charge that Somers did. She received only one year in prison. During Somers’ public sentencing hearing, it was revealed by his defense counsel, R. David Baker, that Ligons received her sentence because she cooperated with the authorities. An attorney for the prosecution told The Tennessee Star that the reason that Ligons was able to avoid the federal mandatory minimum sentence of five years was because a motion was made in court that allowed the judge to sidestep the mandatory minimum sentence as proscribed by law. Given the different in outcomes, it is likely that Ligons cooperated, while Somers did not or could not.
Dr. Kimberly Brown was called as a witness at the sentencing hearing by the defense counsel in order to discuss a psychological evaluation of Somers. She testified that Somers has ADHD and psychological trauma, likely resulting from his troubled and drug-filled upbringing. She said that the trauma was likely Borderline Personality Disorder or PTSD. Dr. Brown recommended more evaluations in order to fully determine which. She recommended that Somers receive counseling in the future.
Somers’ defense counsel also asked the judge for accommodations for Somers’ future drug testing, due to his “shy bladder syndrome.” Judge Trauger called for consideration of those accommodations, as well are for Somers to receive drug and mental treatment for his various issues.
The Star previously reported that Somers was initially arrested and charged due to evidence found on various social media platforms and other websites. The U.S. Attorney’s Office described the situation at the time, “Numerous video clips and photographs of the destruction at the Courthouse were posted on social media websites, on the websites for news outlets, and on other Internet sites. Somers is depicted in video clips and photographs from that evening attempting to smash windows of the Courthouse. One photograph depicted Somers holding an unknown accelerant, which had been set on fire, and placing the accelerant through the window of the Courthouse.”
Trauger had a mask mandate courtroom policy which was in effect for everyone with the exception of her. Dr. Brown, when testifying, was allowed to remove her mask to speak.
The courtroom did not appear to have other members of the media or supporters of Somers in attendance.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR.
