Fifteen years to life for men convicted of murdering Transgender teen

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:37pm

Just announced...This still gives me such a heavy heart. I met Gwens mom and my prayers still go out to her and the whole Araujo family.


(01-27) 12:31 PST HAYWARD -- An Alameda County judge sentenced three men to prison today for their roles in the 2002 slaying of a Newark teenager who was biologically a boy but lived as a girl, drawing to a close a nationally watched case that focused attention on violence against transgender individuals.

At a packed hearing at the Hayward Hall of Justice, Superior Court Judge Harry Sheppard sentenced Michael Magidson and Jose Merel, both 25, to 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of Gwen Araujo.

Jason Cazares, 25, who struck a deal with prosecutors last month by pleading no contest to a lesser charge, received a six-year sentence.

A fourth defendant, Jaron Nabors, 22, appeared in a separate courtroom today on administrative matters and is expected to be sentenced at a later date to 11 years in prison.

Sheppard denied motions from Merel and Magidson asking for a new trial along with their requests that he reduce their convictions to voluntary manslaughter.

Sylvia Guerrero, Araujo's mother, was among numerous relatives to speak in court today about how the murder has affected their lives.

"We each have been given a lifetime sentence of loss and sadness. While any one of them could have stopped this from happening, none of them did," she said.

As she spoke, Merel began crying and dabbed at his eyes with a tissue.

Merel and Cazares looked at the speakers as they spoke, but Magidson did not.




Is it enough?

Updated On: 1/27/06 at 04:37 PM

[Calvin]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 4:42pm

In the meantime, isn't the Califonia Legislature about to do away with the so-called "gay panic" defense once and for all?

[cheezedoodle]

Posted: 1/27/06 at 6:21pm

I don't know about that one Calvin, if so I guess I won't be able to use a "Hetero Panic" defense next time some woman grabs my a$$ in a bar.