A Bermuda judge sentences a gay-baiting thug to seven years in prison for hacking and slashing the face of a gay man with a machete ... and criticizes the island government for not passing gay rights legislation.
Sentencing 25-year-old Rashad Cooper to the stiff term, Judge Carlisle Greaves warns similar hate crimes will not be tolerated in Bermuda. The Royal Gazette quotes the judge: "By its sentence the court should, I think, send a strong message to the accused and other like-minded individuals that behaviour such as his, motivated such as his, shall not be tolerated in this modern, civilised, enlightened and fair-minded society."
The jury took only three hours to find Rashad Cooper guilty of the November 2007 attack on 25-year-old Shawn Nusum and heard he "had a history of violent crime and homophobia before he launched the attack on Nusum and ... taunted Nusum on previous occasions over his sexuality, calling him a 'faggot' and similar names."
Nusum has extensive injuries from the machete attack, including a broken cheek and jaw, "while his nose was fractured and his ability to raise the injured eyebrow impaired."
7 Years Jail for 'Hate Crime' Machete Attack [RG]
Testimony in Machete Attack on Gay Bermuda Man [Adv]
Some Background ...
"Gay-Bashing" at Bermuda Mega-Church Service? [R20]
If there is any good news, it is the judge sending a message with a strong sentence. Good for him.
Posted by: Avery H | 09 July 2008 at 09:00
That mongrel should have gotten more than that ... but at least a message is being sent that such actions have consequences. Let him rot.
Posted by: Me | 09 July 2008 at 09:42
The savagery!! Seven years sounds about right! He'll have plenty of time to witness man-o-man action in prison and hopefully forced to participate!! Hope Nusum recovers quickly!!
Posted by: Shabaka | 09 July 2008 at 22:12
The savagery!! Seven years sounds about right! He'll have plenty of time to witness man-o-man action in prison and hopefully forced to participate!! Hope Nusum recovers quickly!!
Posted by: Shabaka | 09 July 2008 at 22:13
The savagery!! Seven years sounds about right! He'll have plenty of time to witness man-o-man action in prison and hopefully forced to participate!! Hope Nusum recovers quickly!!
Posted by: Shabaka | 09 July 2008 at 22:13
The savagery!! Seven years sounds about right! He'll have plenty of time to witness man-o-man action in prison and hopefully forced to participate!! Hope Nusum recovers quickly!!
Posted by: Shabaka | 09 July 2008 at 22:13