Gay News from London

Gwen Araujo murder retrial delivers two guilty verdicts

The verdict is in and while it\'s a good news/bad news scenario, with the first trial resulting in a hung jury all around today\'s news is more of a victory. The Alameda County jury has found that Michael Magidson and Jose Merel are guilty of second-degree murder in the brutal slaying of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo at a party two years ago. They rejected the first degree murder charges and passed on the hate crime enhancement, but it\'s a relief to see a semblance of justice. As for the third defendant, Jason Cazares, the jury still was unable to reach a decision regarding his participation and Judge Harry Sheppard declared a mistrial on Cazares\' behalf. None of the men showed any visible emotion when the verdicts were read.  View more.... [Date: 13-Sep-05 ]