Neo-Nazi sentenced to 20 years in prison

Despite Brian "Zero" Buckley's claims of being a changed man, the judge declares him a habitual offender.

By JAMAL THALJI
Published July 14, 2007

Neo-Nazi leader Brian "Zero" Buckley on Friday walks into Circuit Judge Stanley Mills' courtroom, where he was sentenced to 20 years for burglary.
	[Stephen J. Coddington | Times]

NEW PORT RICHEY - Brian "Zero" Buckley came to court trying to escape his past.

The neo-Nazi letters and symbols tattooed on his arms, chest and back, even on his forehead? His alleged leadership of an infamous local white supremacist sect? His long criminal history?

All behind him, Buckley told the court, ever since he left prison in 2001 as a grandfather.

"I would say that the last five years, I've been changing," he said Friday afternoon, his voice like gravel. "I've been in trouble my whole life ...

"I've been changing, until this case right here."

That would be his 2006 arrest and conviction for burglary, when authorities say Buckley led a racist mob to neighbor Patricia Wells' home.

There would be no escape for Buckley. A judge sent him back to prison Friday for another 20 years.

"You'd like to think you pay for your sins in life," said Circuit Judge Stanley Mills. "But your sins stay with you in life. You have to earn your way back."

* * *

So ends another chapter in the story of the infamous Teak Street neo-Nazis, who authorities linked to a notorious stabbing murder last year.

The victim in both attacks: Patricia Wells, who lived next door to the neo-Nazi compound.

Buckley and his cohorts chased Wells into her home, screaming racial epithets, authorities say, and Buckley put his tattooed fist through her door as Wells and her son hid inside.

That was March 7, 2006. It was 16 days later when authorities say a masked, knife-wielding neo-Nazi burst into Wells house, slashed her and fatally stabbed Kristofer King, 17, a family friend. Buckley was out of town at the time.

New recruit John Allen Ditullio Jr. was arrested. In October he was indicted on murder and attempted murder charges in the second attack.

That came days after a jury convicted Buckley of the first attack on Wells' home.

* * *

Buckley's case also is notable because of who defended him: Grady Irvin Jr., one of Tampa Bay's most prominent defense attorneys.

Irvin also is one of the area's best-known black lawyers, randomly appointed by the court to represent the purported white supremacist.

Buckley took the stand in his own defense. He is 45 or 46, depending on which criminal record you look at. He spoke of problems with his mental and physical health. Buckley said he is bipolar and in need of a heart transplant. He told the judge he grew up in Queens, N.Y., with black and Jewish acquaintances.

When did he become a white supremacist? Irvin asked.

"When I got locked up," Buckley said.

"In our relationship since we first met, have we ever crossed words with each other?" Irvin asked.

"No, sir," Buckley said.

"Have I always been respectful toward you and have you always been respectful towards me?" the black lawyer asked.

"Yes, sir," Buckley answered.

* * *

When Assistant State Attorney Mary Handsel questioned Buckley, it was as if he hadn't been convicted at all.

"Ms. Wells just testified under oath that from the minute she moved in, she was under harassment and threats," the prosecutor said.

"No, I was not involved in that," Buckley said.

"Never said anything mean or nasty?" Handsel asked.

"I never said a word to Ms. Wells," Buckley said. "I told people at the house where I was staying to leave them alone."

* * *

The authorities have repeatedly labeled Buckley a neo-Nazi, a white supremacist. But he denied any affiliation with the Teak Street neo-Nazis.

He just lived with them, he said.

"Prior to your incarceration, you were president of the American Nazi party," Handsel said.

"No, ma'am," Buckley said. "I had no position in any party."

Irvin kept the state from raising any more of Buckley's purported neo-Nazi ties by citing the 1992 U.S. Supreme Court decision Dawson vs. Delaware.

That court ruled that racist beliefs and affiliations have to be relevant to the case at hand. If not, bringing them up would violate the First Amendment right to associate with whomever a person wants.

During the trial, Irvin stressed that no witness heard Buckley utter racial slurs during the attack.

Which is why Buckley's "ANFFAN" forehead tattoo was never addressed Friday.

The Southern Poverty Law Center thinks it stands for "American Nazi Forever Forever American Nazi."

* * *

On Friday, Buckley once again denied taking part in the crime for which he was convicted.

And that conviction doomed him. It came within five years of his release from his last prison stint, so under Florida law the judge could - and did - declare him a habitual offender, doubling his sentence. Instead of facing four to 15 years, he could have gotten up to 30.

Irvin stressed that his client should not be punished because of purported affiliations, or because of the murder that took place days later. The judge agreed, sparing Buckley the maximum.

That didn't upset Wells. Buckley's words did.

"What a liar ...," she said. "From the first day I moved in, he was constantly yelling, and it was him."

* * *

Black lawyer and alleged white supremacist client bonded over the past few months.

Irvin is known for his deft media dealings and high-profile cases, and he's not letting this one go.

Buckley told Irvin he can't pay him, but asked the lawyer to stay on and handle his appeal.

Irvin said he would do it pro bono - for free.

"We have a date set for a steak dinner and a beer," Irvin said, "and I'm going to make sure we keep that date."

Jamal Thalji can be reached at thalji@sptimes.com or 727 869-6236.

[Last modified July 13, 2007, 22:02:42]