Taheri-Azar heads to prison for Pit attack

HILLSBOROUGH -- A man who drove a rented sport utility vehicle into a lunchtime crowd on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus was sentenced today to up to 33 years in prison.

Orange Superior Court Judge Carl Fox ordered a prison term of 26 years and two months to 33 years for Mohammed Taheri-Azar, 25, for the 2006 attack at The Pit, a gathering spot outside the student union.

Taheri-Azar declined to speak in court. Against his client's wishes, his attorney, James Williams, made a brief argument for a lesser sentence of about 20 years. The judge dismissed it.

"One of the things our government won't tolerate -- and after 9-11 our citizens won't tolerate -- is trying to use Americans as punching bags or targets for terrorist acts or mindless acts," Fox said.

Two of those injured and the mother of a third victim testified today, focusing on the emotional impact of the crime.

"There's sort of this involuntary clench in my back when there's a car behind me, and I can't see it," said Susan Burgin, who suffered a bruised elbow and neck spasms after she dodged the Jeep driven by Taheri-Azar.

Taheri-Azar pleaded guilty this month to nine counts of attempted first-degree murder. As part of a plea bargain, prosecutors dropped nine felony assault counts. For sentencing purposes, Fox consolidated the nine attempted murder counts to two counts.

Taheri-Azar, a U.S. citizen born in Iran and a UNC-CH graduate, claimed after the attack that he was following God in avenging the U.S. government's killing of Muslims around the world.

In court Tuesday, he repeatedly declined opportunities to explain his motives or give a fuller account of his actions.

"You don't want him to call any witnesses on your behalf?" Fox asked Taheri-Azar, referring to to his lawyer.

"That's is correct, sir," said Taheri-Azar said.

"Is there any particular reason for that?" Fox added.

"The defense rests, your honor," Taheri-Azar said.

But one witness, Taheri-Azar's sister, Leyedia, did testify, telling the jury that her brother was always helpful when it came to computer or car problems. She said the brother she knew was not the one who had rammed a utility car into the pit.

"He was a really naive kid who wouldn't hurt a fly," she said.

In previous court appearances, Taheri-Azar has behaved unpredictably. He was evaluated at Dorothea Dix psychiatric hospital and found competent for trial.

Before sentencing him, Fox asked if he had anything else to say.

"No, thank you, your honor," he said.

Taheri-Azar's aunt, who had flown in from California, whispered, "Sorry. Say it. I'm sorry."

But Taheri Azar remained silent.