A Minnesota jury found Shiloh Hendrix, 36, guilty of disorderly conduct for her actions against a man who filmed her racist outburst in a park, but acquitted her of charges related to her behavior toward an 8-year-old Black autistic boy. The verdict came Thursday night after four days of trial and more than nine hours of deliberation.
Hendrix was arrested last August after the incident at Soldiers Field in April 2023. She was filmed directing racial slurs at the boy, whom she accused of taking applesauce from her diaper bag. The boy's father testified that Hendrix hurled epithets at his son, causing him to freeze. According to a criminal complaint, when the bystander confronted Hendrix and asked why she used the slur, she became enraged, cursed at him, and used the same epithet against him.
The jury was instructed to consider whether Hendrix's language constituted "fighting words," which are not protected by the First Amendment because they are likely to incite violence. The jury's split verdict suggests they found her behavior directed at the videographer met this threshold but her actions toward the child did not.
Hendrix initially faced three counts, but one was dropped earlier this year. She was sentenced to supervised probation, 200 hours of community service, and a $1,000 fine.
Prosecutors stated that Hendrix admitted to her conduct and that the case was a clear example of "fighting words." The City Attorney's Office released a statement acknowledging the verdict and its impact on communities of color, noting that Hendrix "profited immensely" while showing no remorse. The office pledged to continue efforts toward community reconciliation.
The defense argued that Hendrix's language stemmed from anger over the stolen food and did not qualify as "fighting words." Her attorney, Brian Karalus, vowed to appeal the verdict, calling the case a "shakedown" and criticizing the prosecution and judge.
Amidst the legal proceedings, Hendrix launched an online fundraiser that has garnered nearly $900,000 toward a $1 million goal. She stated in updates that she used donation money to purchase a home and that remaining funds would cover legal fees. In a post last August, she described moving to a neighborhood with "excellent demographics." Ahead of her trial, she wrote that "freedom of speech is under attack" and signed off with "Hail Victory," a phrase associated with Nazi Germany. Many donors expressed white nationalist views in the fundraiser's comments.
Rochester NAACP President Walé Elegbede called Hendrix's actions "horrible."