Ohio Man In Cross Burning Case Gets 30 Days

An Ohio man who pleaded guilty in the case of a cross burned in the yard of a black family has been sentenced to 30 days in jail. A federal complaint alleged Brandon Rhodes and a juvenile co-conspirator burned the cross in the yard of a schoolmate in Morrow County in March 2011. The suspects are white. The 21-year-old Rhodes issued an emotional apology to the William Wells family ahead of his sentencing Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Frost. Two of Rhodes' aunts said the incident, on a night when he'd drunk about 10 beers, did not reflect their nephew's true character. Wells said his family lives in fear because of the incident. Rhodes' sentence includes two years of probation and 50 hours of community service.