Black Man Convicted Of Running Over, Killing Emergency Medical Technician 'Because He Was White'

A Black man in New Jersey has been convicted of murder after he attacked an emergency medical technician (EMT) and ran him over because of his race.

Jamil Hubbard, 30, was found guilty of first-degree murder for attacking and killing a stranger, Jerry Wolkowitz, 56, in Freehold Township in 2018 "because he was white," prosecutors said in a news release.

Deputies responded to the scene on May 1, 2018, after they received a report of a physical altercation involving a person struck by a vehicle. The officers found Wolkowitz lying in a parking lot with severe injuries to his head, abdomen and back.

Wolkowitz was rushed to a hospital and he remained on life support for almost six months before succumbing to injuries on Oct. 18, 2018.

The man worked for Freehold First Aid and Emergency Squad and was a freelance photographer, Law & Crime reported.

Investigators found out that after attacking the victim, Hubbard stole his vehicle and fled the scene. Police eventually took Hubbard into custody from his home.

In addition to the murder charges, Hubbard is also guilty of first-degree bias intimidation, second-degree eluding, third-degree theft from the person, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and third-degree motor vehicle theft.

On the night before the attack, Hubbard slept inside his car after a heated argument with his then-girlfriend, who lived in the nearby apartment complex.

"When he woke up, he told investigators, he spotted Wolkowitz walking nearby and decided to try to kill him because he was white, initially attacking him from behind with punches and kicks before stealing his wallet and car keys," the news release said.

After the assault, Hubbard dragged the victim into the parking lot and ran him over.

"This was the textbook definition of a senseless crime, and as our prosecuting team astutely noted in their closing argument, 'senseless' does not mean 'insane'. Mr. Wolkowitz was an innocent victim, minding his own business, and on his way home from work when his life was snuffed out over something as trivial as the color of his skin," Acting Prosecutor Santiago said.

Hubbard is scheduled to appear in court for sentencing on March 31, 2023. He could face life in prison without the possibility of parole.