3 charged with murder in (17 yr old) cross-dresser's death (Hate Crime alert)

dailynews ^

[chance33_98]

3 charged with murder in cross-dresser's death
By Michelle Locke
Associated Press

NE WARK, Calif. -- Three young men were charged with murder Friday in the hate-crime slaying of a cross-dressing 17-year-old boy whose body was found in a shallow grave two weeks after he disappeared from a party.

Police said Eddie Araujo showed up at the house party as a girl named "Lida," and was assaulted and killed after they discovered he was a boy.

The defendants reportedly beat him, gashing his head and then dragged his semiconscious body to the garage, where they tightened a rope around his neck until he seemed dead. Then they drove his body to a remote spot in the Sierra foothills and buried him in a shallow grave, a police affidavit said.

"They're going to pay for what they did," said Araujo's aunt, Imelda Guerrero. "I hope everybody out there who sees this learns something from this because he was a beautiful person inside and out."

Michael William Magidson, 27, Jaron Chase Nabors, 19, and Jose Antonio Merel, 24, all of Newark, appeared in court on charges of murder with a hate-crime enhancement Friday. They entered no pleas and were held without bail.

Nabors' lawyer, Robert J. Beles, said his client was a college student who had no violence in his background.

"There's no bias in him," Beles said, nothing to indicate that Nabors "would actively participate in any type of homophobic activity."

A fourth suspect arrested Wednesday, Jose's brother Paul Richard Merel Jr., 25, was not charged in the slaying. It wasn't immediately clear whether he had been released from jail, where he also faced a parole violation. Prosecutors left without commenting outside court.

Araujo had been dressing like a girl "for some time," and had clashed with the suspects about a week before the Oct. 3 party, said Newark police Lt. Tom Milner.

The boy was reported missing by his mother when he didn't come home from the party.

On Wednesday, two weeks later, police said Nabors confessed and led them to the body, buried about 150 miles east of his home in Newark, a San Francisco suburb.

"We're dealing with a number of people who could have helped, stepped in, prevented or reported this," said Lt. Lance Morrison. "None of them did."

It remained unclear whether the teen died in Newark or in the wilderness area where he was found, near the Silver Fork campground in El Dorado County. The site was so remote, it could only be reached by a four- wheel-drive vehicle, Milner said.

Araujo identified himself as both a male and a female, sometimes also going by the name Gwen, Milner said. His aunt said singer Gwen Stefani was one of his favorites.

In a recent family photo, Araujo had carefully groomed eyebrows and makeup and his hair was highlighted and cut into a shoulder-length bob.

"We're just trying to put him to rest and bury him with dignity," said Guerrero, declining to comment on her nephew's cross-dressing.

"We want to remember him as the human being that he was," she said, crying. "Nobody deserves to take his life, his young life, he didn't deserve it."

He was liked by those who knew him, said Newark Unified School District Superintendent Ken Sherer.

"He was always smiling, he selected his friends very carefully and, according to some students, he did have more female friends than male," he said.

Araujo had attended Newark schools from kindergarten, but showed up at school only about half the time as he grew older. Since the eighth grade, he had been an independent-study student, meeting with a teacher once a week. He would have been a senior, but didn't show up at Crossroads High School this fall, Sherer said.

[GoParty]

you are a sick, close-minded individual.....what exactly gives you the right to judge that boy? how perfect do you think you are? it doesn't matter if you agree with his lifestyle or not...the point is that it's HIS CHOICE to dress or act or feel the way he does and arrogant jerks like you condoning the behavior of the homophobic morons of the world just makes the matter worse. you actually feel that because the boy was a cross-dresser, he deserved what happened to him? hate to see what you deserve for being such a judgemental bigot.........

[glory]

These wouldn't be the same psychologists who suddenly changed their policies a few years back to reflect that homosexuality(once considered a mental disorder) is magically now normal behavior? Yeah, I trust it when they now put the mental condition back on NORMAL people who still know that homosexuality is NOT normal behavior.

[thetruckster]

We choose our definition of deviance. Such a choice has nothing to do with reality or fact. It is up to God to judge. It is up to me to raise my children as I see fit and choose to supervise them in their choice of friends. We all are tolerant because it is too big a job to shut down all the "deviants." They are everywhere, and frankly, I would rather cook a good meal than worry about their "deviance" in general. Life is too full of good things.

[glory]

Yes, I noticed this too. I hope everyone has freeped their local papers for their lack of coverage of FOUR dead Kansas 20-somethings(and the fifth one left for dead), while giving high page coverage to the death of a teenage cross dresser in San Francisco.

[thetruckster]

Historically, homosexuality has been with the human species since we've been able to scratch a picture on a rock. Pre-Christian societies didn't find it very remarkable. It is part of the homo sapiens box of chocolates. Personally, I've never cared for fruit-filled chocolates, so I pick chocolate-covered brazils. :-)

[Archie Bunker on steroids]

you actually feel that because the boy was a cross-dresser, he deserved what happened to him? hate to see what you deserve for being such a judgemental bigot.........

Do you feel better now. Here is a special pin that shows that you stood up for the poor boy. 35 diversity and 20 tolerance points for you.

[GoParty]

"Do you feel better now. Here is a special pin that shows that you stood up for the poor boy. 35 diversity and 20 tolerance points for you."

Actually, I don't feel better now...because there are still ignorant people like you walking the streets.....this boy was a PERSON...not some sacrifice in your anti-gay march...you can put your club down now to reply...careful not to scrape those knuckles on the ground when you walk away from the computer...........

[DWSUWF]

"...you are a sick, close-minded individual....."

And you're a know-nothing newbie.

"...what exactly gives you the right to judge that boy? how perfect do you think you are? it doesn't matter if you agree with his lifestyle or not...the point is that it's HIS CHOICE to dress or act or feel the way he does and arrogant jerks like you condoning the behavior of the homophobic morons of the world just makes the matter worse..."

Hmmm... I seem to have touched a nerve with you... Let me guess... in addition to being a know-nothing newbie you're also a homo, right?

"...you actually feel that because the boy was a cross-dresser, he deserved what happened to him?..."

'Deserved'? Hard to call... 'Asked for it'? Duh... Pretty much, yes.

"...hate to see what you deserve for being such a judgemental bigot........."

LOL!

You're a liar. You'd love for something bad to happen to me.

[Mark17]

What if somebody doesn't want to tolerate you?

Then he is probably a Democrat, though no Demon Cat has ever tried to kill me for it yet. This cross dresser may have been a pervert, but did not deserve to be killed for it.

[GoParty]

Yes, I'm a newbie...I haven't had to listen to your ignorant babble for long...Thank God for this! And, you actually did touch a nerve...no, I'm not a homo..but I have a very dear friend who is. Do I agree with this lifestyle? No...do I pretend to have the right to judge other loving human beings because of it...NO. I actually don't believe that I'm God....this is something you should address.

That boy no more asked to be killed for being gay than you do for being stupid. Last time I checked, it was also a sin to stand in judgement of others, so if the Bible is what you're trying to beat over my head, then find a new platform.

And as far as me wishing bad on you....OF COURSE NOT. You're the mean one that hates all other lifeforms other than those just like yourself, right? :)

[glory]

If you don't like someone else, just turn your head and walk away.>>

And most of us to so that is why "intolerance" kills is a false premise. Again murder happens for a wide variety of reasons. This article focuses on the cross dressing aspect, I'd like to no more about the previous confrontation. Excuse me if I don't totally trust the leftist, homo loving press when they say cross dressing was the reason for what appears to be a premeditated attack. If your dealing with a bunch of hot headed thugs, chances are things said in a confrontation could justify your death to them. I just hope the press is not playing up the cross dressing part because that is all their radar is capable of picking up on. Even what was said in the skirmish is not justification for his murder, but I'm wary of the press and their credibility when pinpointing the WHY for the murder in light of their history of bias on the issue of homosexuality and other deviancies. Also suspicious is their coverage of this murder over say ones like the Kansas murder where there was no previous confrontation and FOUR 20 somethings were murdered in cold blood and one left for dead.

[realwoman]

Well, I am NOT tolerant of any of it. I don't think it's "too big a job" to try to "shut them down". And I will NEVER tolerate it.

A friend of mine and I were talking about this one day. She asked me if (hypothetically) she were to tell me she was a lesbian, would I still be her friend? My answer was a very emphatic NO WAY! IF that were to happen, she would never be allowed on my property again.

The "tolerance" and "acceptance" that seems to be expected of us is EVERYWHERE. You may THINK you are raising your children as "you see fit", but unless they are NEVER out of your site, EVER, then you are only doing the best you can and hoping. The deviants will do anything and everything to get to your kids.

Do your children attend public school? If so, then it is NOT up to you how to raise your children. You have allowed the state deviants to take over that job, and they are drilling this crap into their heads on a daily basis.

Even if you home-school, do your children have contact with the "outside" world, or are they within the confines of your home 24/7? Do you own a T.V.? A radio? Subscribe to any magazines? Are these things within your childrens' grasp AT ANY TIME without you right there?

Perhaps it's NOT too big a job to "shut them down" after all.

[GoParty]

"You're a liar."

And don't call me a liar, thank you....that's another nerve you should leave alone....

[chance33_98]

Could it be that some of your critics are posting in drag?

I remember Fox Mulder being in drag on Twin Peaks. One of the funniest episodes around :)

[glory]

Agreed. I know a lot more homosexuals than you I'm sure since I used to be an active supporter in that scene--flag waving GLSEN type--argh. The one thing that tied them ALL together was a family that was dysfunction in one way or another, even when they were a nuclear family, something was not quite right, whether it be dad worked and was not home a lot, was distant, etc. Most though had absent fathers. I can think of only one out of the 10 or so I was very good friends with who had a nuclear family and there was obvious dysfunction in that family too.

[DWSUWF]

GoParty, I don't give a damn what you think...

My advice... Go get a wrist brace and spend a lot less time with that 'dear friend' of yours.

[sirchtruth]

What business of yours is it whether another human being is prideful or selfish?

Oh no, here comes the elite ignoramous argument of the Atheist! What business is it of yours that I make it my business?

It appears something has crawled up your backside orifice. That's ok, I understand emotions can get a wee bit out of control when one has their first beer in life.

Mull this over, what do the cross dresser and murderers have in common?

I do have a point that is reflective of condeming the murderers and not condoning cross dressing in the same post, it can be done most civilly, do you have a problem with this?

[Travis McGee]

Please quote where anyone on this thread said this cross dresser should have been murdered.

[csvset]

Well the perps look like a diverse group, Afro-American, Hispanic and Caucasian.

[DWSUWF]

"...And don't call me a liar, thank you...."

Why would I need to make the point twice?

"...that's another nerve you should leave alone...."

LOL!

You're a goof GoParty.