2 Convicted of Murdering Transgender Teen

[Eugene]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050912/ap_on_re_us/transgender_killing

2 Convicted of Murdering Transgender Teen

By MICHELLE LOCKE, Associated Press Writer 2 hours, 35 minutes ago

HAYWARD, Calif. - Two men who had sex with a transgender teen and then
discovered she was biologically male were convicted Monday of her
murder, but cleared of hate crime charges.

Michael Magidson and Jose Merel, both 25, face mandatory sentences of
15 years-to-life in prison for second-degree murder in the killing of
Gwen Araujo, who was beaten, tied up and strangled.

The jury was deadlocked in the case of a third man, Jason Cazares, 25,
marking the second time a jury was unable to reach a verdict in his
case.

Araujo, 17, was born a boy named Edward but grew up to believe her true
identity was female. The defendants, who knew her as Lida, met her in
the summer of 2002. Magidson and Merel had sexual encounters with her,
experiences that fueled suspicions about Araujo's gender.

more...

[Zenlitened]

1. I'm glad they've been convicted. And I hope they get the max: life.

It's more than Gwen ever got.

I'm disappointed the hate crimes aspect was dropped. This was an act of brutal, savage hate from the very start.

But... in the history of cases like this... any conviction is progress, sadly.

:(

RIP, Gwen.

And hats off to the AP for getting the pronouns right.

[Der Blaue Engel]

2. I agree with all of your points

At least their sickening "defense" didn't get them off.

:(