Gwen Araujo Murder Case Closes As Fourth Accused Man Pleads Guilty

[Sapphocrat]

The 2002 murder case of transgender teen Gwen Araujo finally came to a close Friday in a Hayward, California courtroom when the last of the four implicated men pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.

Jaron Nabors, 23, was sentenced to 11 years in prison as part of his plea bargain, court officials said. He testified against three of his friends for the prosecution about the night 17-year-old Araujo was beaten, strangled and buried in a shallow grave by four men after they learned she was biologically male.

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(Prosecutor Chris Lamiero) ... told the Mercury News that Nabors received “a significant benefit for his cooperation” because the other defendants were prosecuted on murder charges and he was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

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In January, two men convicted last year of second-degree murder in the Newark teen's death, Michael Magidson and Jose Merel, were sentenced to 15 years to life in prison.

The fourth man, Jason Cazares, who pleaded no contest to manslaughter in a plea bargain reached after two juries deadlocked on his fate, was sentenced to six years in prison.

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More:
http://www.247gay.com/article.cfm?section=66&id=10398

The sentences are not nearly enough -- but at least these demons got some prison time. And at least it didn't end in a mistrial again.

I am so haunted by this case... I can't think of Gwen Araujo without crying.

[Der Blaue Engel]

1. It haunts me too

:(

It's not enough. I hope the two 15-to-lifers end up doing life.

May you rest in peace, Gwen.

:cry:

[cboy4]

2. This is such a sad story. What did she do to deserve what happened?

:cry:

[bliss_eternal]

3. This is disgusting...

if it was anyone other than a transgendered individual that they murdered, would these men get such light sentences?

:puke:

Like you Sapphocrat, I can't think of Gwen Araujo and what happened to her without crying. Is this really Justice for Gwen? :cry: