PORTLAND, Maine — The sister of a white man on trial in the shooting death of her Somali Muslim boyfriend testified her brother had a history of making racist comments.
Chelsey Cardilli was the first witness to testify in the trial of Mark Cardilli Jr. on Monday, the Portland Press Herald reports. He is facing murder charges in connection with the death of 22-year-old Isahak Muse at the Cardilli family home in March.
Chelsey Cardilli testified that her brother told her Somalis are gang members, that black people shot by police are always at fault and that Muslims are terrorists.
The defense said that Muse was criminally trespassing by remaining in the Cardilli house on the night of his death.
“Shooting an unarmed guest in the back because he has overstayed his welcome is murder,” Assistant Attorney General Leanne Robbin said.
