‘Prophet of Doom’ who wounded 10 in New York City subway shooting is sentenced to life in prison

NEW YORK — A man who sprayed a New York City subway car with bullets during rush hour, wounding 10 people and sparking a citywide manhunt, was sentenced Thursday to life in prison after several of his victims tearfully and angrily recounted their ongoing trauma. “People keep criminalizing the people who need help,” he said, adding that Neely was one such person who “was screaming out for help.” U.S. District Court Judge William Kuntz was unconvinced, telling James that what he did was “pure evil.” Prosecutors had asked for the life sentence, saying James spent years carefully planning the shooting in order to “inflict maximum damage.” James’ attorneys had asked for a reduced sentence of 18 years, saying he didn’t intend to kill anyone and citing his mental illness. Before the shooting, James, who is Black, posted dozens of videos online under the moniker “Prophet of Doom,” ranting about race, violence, his struggles with mental illness and a host of unnamed forces he claimed were out to get him. Prosecutors, however, said the trajectory of the bullets showed that James aimed at the “center mass” of riders for maximum lethality.