CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The man accused of driving into a Charlottesville crowd and killing Heather Heyer during August's Unite the Right rally now faces a first-degree murder charge, according to NBC12.
James Alex Fields Jr., was previously charged with second-degree murder.
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NBC12 reports that Fields said that he feared for his life during the protests, and hit the accelerator in panic.
The charge was upgraded Thursday following a hearing of another person charged in the Aug. 12 rally, according to the NBC Richmond affiliate.