Fla. man on trial for gay man’s murder

[ccharles000]

(Bartow, Florida) The lawyer for the first of two men accused of killing Ryan Skipper in 2007 has told a jury his client is not responsible.

Joseph Bearden, a known methamphetamine addict, is accused of robbing and killing Skipper, and dumping his body. Bearden’s co-defendant, William Brown Jr., will be tried separately.

In his opening arguments, Assistant State Attorney Cass Castillo told the jury that Skipper and Bearden were seen together the night the 25-year-old Skipper disappeared.

Castillo said the two went to a known drug house to try to exchange a broken laptop for drugs. Once there, several of those in the house plotted to rob Skipper and steal his new Chevrolet Aveo.

“They went to this remote area, and he was killed there,” he said.

Skipper was attacked in his own car. When his body was found on the side of a road, he had been stabbed more than 20 times.

After dumping the body, Brown and Bearden allegedly drove to another home where they attempted to clean the car.

http://www.365gay.com/news/fla-man-on-trial-for-gay-mans-murder/

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

1. It seems like robbery was the motive not sexual orientation.