The convicted rapist charged with the brutal murder of a woman in a White Plains mall parking garage faced the victim?s sons in court Wednesday.

Phillip Grant admitted he targeted and killed Connie Russo Carriero at the Galleria Mall parking garage in June because she was white. Grant is the first county defendant to face a charge of murder as a hate crime. Grant has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case is on hold until November so both sides have a chance to analyze the results of DNA tests taken from the crime scene.

Russo?s sons vowed to see justice served for their mother. The case has renewed a statewide call for a civil confinement law that would keep violent sex offenders in institutions after they are released from prison. Russo?s sons are pushing for the law they have dubbed ?Connie?s Law.?

Grant is due back in court on November 30.

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