Gay Panic Defense May Lead To No Substantial Jail Time In DC Beating Death
In a plead deal that has outraged many in the DC LGBT community, a Washington D.C. teenager accused in the beating death of a Maryland man has used the “gay panic defense” and plead guilty to a lesser charge… and could escape any serious jail time in the death.
Thursday a grand jury indicted 18-year old Robert Hannah on a simple assault charge stemming from an incident in the September 2008 that resulted in the death of 37-year old Tony Hunter, an openly gay man.
Hannah and three others attacked Hunter and another man as they headed to a gay bar formally known as BeBar on 9th Street NW. Hannah had claimed Hunter groped him and that lead to a fistfight that left Hunter with severe head injuries.
Robert Hannah
The second victim, who made clear in his statements to the police that the attack was unprovoked, suffered less severe injuries in the altercation and no charges were ever brought in his case.
The DC Superior Court Grand Jury believed Hannah’s story and found, “Mr. Hunter fell, hitting his head on the ground, causing the injuries that led to his death.” If convicted of the simple assault, Hannah only faces up to 180 days in prison and a $1,000 fine. Initially, DC Police investigated Hunters death as a hate crime, but prosecutors filed no hate crime charge in the case.
Near the scene of the beating last night, many expressed fear about other possible incidents targeting the LGBT community in light of the Grand Jury’s decision and say that Mr. Hunter’s death was a reminder that hate is still with us and that violence against members of the LGBT community is not given equal weight under the law.
Chris Farris, the co-chair of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence, said, “The message it sends us this, if you murder somebody and they’re not here to defend themselves, just say that they groped and you reacted. With this lack of justice, every citizen in DC is should fear for their safety.”
He added, “I’m disgusted. I feel very sad for my city.”
Bill Gray, the new owner of former Be Bar location told LGR he would be increasing security both inside and outside of his establishment hoping better to protect patrons.
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I think that judges should though out that gay panic sh! opps ok so there is not a better word for it.
Really? Why dont we just use this same excuse on all the murder’s out there and let them walk free just to do it again. whether he “fell” or not doesn’t excuse the fact that he murdered and innocent person because of biggoted beliefs and the jury and court have just fed into this pathetic belief system that its still ok to hate and beat and even kill someone, but make sure you plead a “gay panic defense.” The biggest issue here was that the remaining victim did not do anything further to make the case. What the hell are we afraid of? just plead a “straight panic defense” and you will be slapped on the hand and be on your merry way.
he died because he fell and hit his head? he fell because he was being beaten by someone with no redeming qualities. he was beaten to death, whether he fell is irelevant. i’m getting less tolerant in my old age, i say kill the punk back. our govt. should be doing this for us but they’ve all got their dicks between their legs just hopping to get through the next election. who cares if another fag is murderd (they don’t hold a stong voting block). look, i use the word fag with utmost of respect, we should all take back the power in that word for us! and yes we are a voting block, all we need to do is talk about it and vote stratigicully (sp? with pourpose). get the old useless bastards out of city council, kick one out and you will have the attention of everyone else. my condolences to his friends and family and to the community as well. stand up and be counted, at least for the sake of the next victim.