On May 14, 2020, Mattieo Condoluci, a convicted sex offender, was murdered by James Fairbanks in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Fairbanks had arrived at his house, and shot Condoluci seven times. After the killing, public opinion was divided. Some people claimed that Condoluci's murder was not justified, and other people expressed their support for Fairbanks. Condoluci's murder sparked debate over violence and intimidation against registered sex offenders, and the role of moral panic in enabling it. Several copycat killings against registered offenders ensued following Condoluci's murder.
| Murder of Mattieo Condoluci | |
|---|---|
| Location | Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Date | May 14, 2020 |
Attack type | Homicide by shooting |
| Victim | Mattieo Condoluci, aged 64 |
| Perpetrator | James Fairbanks |
| Charges | Second-degree murder
|
| Sentence | 40 to 70 years in prison |
Background edit
Mattieo Condoluci edit
Mattieo Condoluci was a former nightclub bouncer who was convicted of two counts of child molestation, first in 1994 in Florida and in 2007 in Sarpy County. In the 1994 case, he had sexually assaulted a five-year-old boy and served five years in prison, and in 2007, he raped a 13-year-old girl and served two years in prison.[1]
James Fairbanks edit
James Fairbanks was a school teacher who had been divorced and was a father of two.[2]
Murder edit
On May 14, 2020, Fairbanks had gone to Condoluci's house armed with a handgun. His intent was to intimidate Condoluci after he saw him watching kids play from his driveway. Condoluci answered the door, and Fairbanks began to threaten him, however when he noticed Condoluci advancing on him he opened fire. One bullet pierced his forehead, and other bullets shot his back and chest. Overall, Condoluci was shot seven times.[3] After the killing, Fairbanks anonymously sent a letter to the KMTV news station, confessing to the crime.[4]
Legal proceedings edit
Fairbanks pleaded no contest to second degree murder. On July 14, 2021, he was sentenced to 40-70 years in prison.[4]
Aftermath edit
Reactions within family edit
Condoluci's daughter, Amanda Henry, defended Fairbanks and was thankful when she heard that Condoluci had been killed. Henry claimed she was constantly abused by Condoluci, and claimed that he had molested her.[5] However, his son, Joseph Condoluci, was deeply upset about the killing.[6]
Other reactions edit
Laura Smith also campaigned to free Fairbanks. Smith's son was raped by Condoluci in 1994, and died of a drug overdose several years later.[7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Writer, Todd Cooper World-Herald Staff. "'Hero' or 'devil'? Omaha man sentenced to 40-70 years for killing sex offender". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ "Alternative school teacher confesses to murdering sex offender on community Facebook page after seeing him try to lure children". tbdailynews.com.
- ^ Writer, Todd Cooper World-Herald Staff. "Vigilante won't fight murder charge for shooting sex offender 7 times". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ a b "James Fairbanks sentenced: 40–70 years in murder of convicted sex offender". KMTV. 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ "Daughter of sex offender killed shares details of past". KMTV. 2020-07-20. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ Dillard, DaLaun (2020-05-19). "'The guy didn't know my dad': Son of killed sex offender doesn't believe father deserved to die". KETV. Retrieved 2021-11-27.
- ^ "Mother campaigns to free the vigilante who murdered her 5-year-old son's abuser | Express Digest". 2020-05-22. Retrieved 2021-11-27.