I remember that case and I don't recall any mention of homosexuality with the brothers, who were by all accounts somewhat slow...
the reason the community backed the brother accused was because he was slow, otherwise, a good citizen, and death was most probably accidental or a normal fight gone bad with terrible results...
but you are right about my New York state.....we have just as many backwoods people as other states......its just that it wouldn't fit with the media's sterotyping of New York State, the state BTW, that is 2nd in Apple production, high in milk, maple syrup, grapes, cherries, etc...its definately got a lot of farm country, believe it or not...
"I remember that case and I don't recall any mention of homosexuality with the brothers, who were by all accounts somewhat slow..."
Suggest you see the documentry, it was done at the time through interviews of all concerned, all in it are the actual people and the question of the homosexuality aspect comes up several times. It is addressed by the prosecution and neighbors, for they had no friends, and in fact were shunned before the locals closed rank behind those of their own.