In a courtroom in New Jersey on Friday, a white man named Edward Cagney Mathews sobbed as he was sentenced to eight years in prison for his racially charged viral rant and assault on his black neighbors. Mathews, 47, had pleaded guilty to four counts of bias intimidation and possession of a controlled, dangerous substance with intent to distribute. Superior Court Judge Gerard H. Breland handed down the ruling, mandating that Mathews serve at least four years of his sentence. The emotional scene unfolded after Mathews spent two and a half years in jail.

Addressing the court while shackled and handcuffed, Mathews expressed remorse for his actions, stating, "Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future." He also apologized to his victims for his "insensitive and disrespectful words in the past." The incident that sparked outrage occurred in July 2021 when Mathews hurled racial slurs at his black neighbor in Mount Laurel following a dispute with his condo complex's homeowners' association. The altercation was captured on video, showing Mathews referring to his neighbor as a “monkey” and a racial slur, while bumping his chest and spitting on the man.

The Mount Laurel Police Department launched an investigation into the incident, initially filing a harassment complaint against Mathews. Shortly after, they received another call reporting that Mathews was using racial slurs against multiple residents and needed to be removed from the area. The video of the altercation quickly went viral, leading to hundreds of people protesting outside Mathews' home, chanting for his arrest.

Mathews, who worked as a construction foreman, was eventually taken into custody after the protesters surrounded his townhome. During further investigation, prosecutors discovered that multiple complaints had been filed against Mathews over a span of five years before his arrest. These complaints revealed a pattern of racially motivated harassment, including using racial slurs, placing feces on his neighbors' property, sending threatening emails and letters, and shooting BB pellets at their cars.

Before his sentencing, victim impact statements were read in court by Assistant County Prosecutor Jamie Hutchinson. One former neighbor, Denise Brown, described the lasting impact of Mathews' actions, stating, "The actions of what he did will forever stay a nightmare of the fear and anxiety he bestowed upon me. I'm constantly looking over my shoulder and trusting no one."

Mathews' now ex-wife, Shannon Schwartzhoff, corroborated his claim that he was drunk during the verbal assault. She explained that he had been having issues with the homeowners' association and was trying to address missing money. However, she has since filed for divorce and sold their townhome.

In addition to the prison sentence, Judge Breland ordered Mathews to pay $4,408 in restitution and undergo racial sensitivity training while incarcerated. Mathews will receive credit for the 886 days he has already served and will be eligible for parole in 16 months.

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw emphasized the severity of Mathews' actions and the commitment to combatting bias crimes. "Nobody should have to endure what these victims experienced," Bradshaw stated. The sentencing sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated in the community.