JUSTICE

Neo-Nazi Gets Life for Shooting of Interracial Couple, Killing Woman

Murderer became furious when he saw a white woman walking with a black man.

A Neo-Nazi has been sentenced to life in prison for killing a woman, allegedly because her partner was black. Travis Ricci, 37, killed Kelly Ann Jaeger in October 2009 when she was walking near a north Phoenix park with her boyfriend. Prosecutors say Ricci became angry that Jaeger was with a black man, began to shout racial slurs at the couple, then shot at them. In January, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder, aggravated assault, attempt to commit first-degree murder, drive-by shooting, assisting a street gang, and misconduct involving weapons, USA Today reports. However, while sentencing him this week, they opted against the death penalty. Prosecutors say Ricci was a member of the neo-Nazi group Vinlanders Social Club. On the night of the shooting, Ricci was drinking at the home of another skinhead and then headed out into the streets, where he saw the couple. The shots were allegedly meant for Jaeger’s boyfriend, Jeffrey Wellmaker, but hit Jaeger instead.