Murder suspect thought Puerto Rico gay teen was a woman

[ccharles000]

Martinez Matos was “looking for women” in a red light district last Friday. He had already been turned down several times, but Lopez Mercado, wearing a blue dress and boots, agreed to get in his car.

District Attorney Jose J. Bermudez says that in his confession, Martinez Matos said that he thought Lopez Mercado was a woman. The victim asked him for money and when he refused, Lopez Mercado pulled out a knife. When Martinez Matos realized that the teenager was actually male, he had a flashback to when he was raped in prison while he was serving a sentence for domestic violence. He then attacked Lopez Mercado, separating his arms from his torso.

Police found a wig, a knife, a burned mattress, a burned PVC pipe and blood on the wall where the murder took place.

The forensic evidence is being investigated by the FBI. Though they have not specified charges yet, the DA says that he is sure this qualifies as a hate crime.

Activists are calling for justice and for the media to focus on the suspect’s acts instead of the behavior of the victim.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force released a statement saying:

http://www.365gay.com/news/murder-suspect-thought-puerto-rico-gay-teen-was-a-woman/

[msongs]

1. uh oh looks like the gay panic defense coming soon... nt