An important update in the case of Tony Randolph Hunter, the black gay Maryland man who died after a brutal street attack near a popular gay bar in Northwest Washington DC. The Washington Post reports detectives have collared an 18-year-old District man previously reported as a "person of interest."
Robert Hanna is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the Sept. 7 beating. Hunter, 37, and a friend were severely beaten by four men as the two were headed to the BeBar. A severe blow to the head left Hunter in a coma and lingering ten days in a vegetative state. Hunter died ten days later.
Police initially believed the attack was motivated by anti-gay bias but later said they had "insufficient evidence" to support that motive. "At this time, there is no information to classify this crime as a hate or bias crime," said Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier, who was joined Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and other officials at a news conference announcing the arrest. Lanier tells WaPo Hanna and Hunter "exchanged words" which led to a fight and Hunter's fatal injuries. The police chief did not reveal what was said in the altercation but the two men did not know each other.
Sources close to the investigation say Hanna has "insisted he acted in self-defense after Hunter made advances toward him." This will likely be the foundation of yet another pitiful and hopefully unsuccessful gay panic defense.
Four men beat up two gay men who were minding their own business and headed to a gay club. Reportedly there were not robbed. What "words" could have been exchanged that could have lead to such a brutal beating? An involuntary manslaughter charge hardly seems appropriate for such a vicious attack, but, gay men are often re-victimized in their death.
Suspect Arrested in Death of Man Beaten [WaPo]
Some Background...
DC Police Say Fatal Attack Robbery, Not Hate Crime [R20]
Report: "Gay Panic" Defense Alleged in Brutal DC Murder [R20]
This is duisgusting. A teenage boy kills a gay man and gets a manslaughter charge.
Posted by: Tony DR | 16 October 2008 at 14:30
I hope and pray this gay panic defense does not work.
Posted by: Albert Parker | 16 October 2008 at 14:32
What sentence is he facing?
Posted by: Roberto | 16 October 2008 at 14:32
They (the newspaper article) make it seem as though the DC Police are accepting the young thug's explanation--that Mr Hunter tried to "grab at him." A gay man is going to approach FOUR thugs on the street and reach for one of their dingdongs? Does that make any kind of sense--even in the "hood"?
If Mayor Fenty can't do something about the gay-hating attitudes of his DC Police force, then maybe Democrats in Congress need to try.
I try to keep my mind on Barack Obama, Queen Latifa & Donovan McNabb--all the wonderful black folks in the news, but it's hard...Lord, sometimes it's so hard.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | 16 October 2008 at 14:38
The lack of hate crimes charges is truly reprehensible.
Posted by: libhomo | 17 October 2008 at 05:53
I transfered from Los Angeles to DC 20 years ago. When I arrived I had no idea black people in that city were as backward thinking as they were. I found it unbelievable that that many obviously gay black men were not only in the closet but actually thought they were fooling people. I have been out of the closet since I was 14 and caught nothing but hell from the entire crowd I worked with. I quit a pretty good job because I knew if I stayed I was going to either end up in Lorton prison for the rest of my life after going postal or dead all thanks to my coworkers. Good luck to those of you who find DC a nice place to live and party. I have not set foot in that M/F in will over 18 years.
Posted by: gurlene | 17 October 2008 at 18:42
Gurlene, thanks for sharing your thoughts. You are a strong person.
Posted by: Mel Smith | 17 October 2008 at 20:47
From the begining, I knew that there was more to this story and if you "quick to judgement" and "gay black men are always the victim" people will allow the police to do their job we all will know what happened in this situation. Can someone tell me how this was a hate crime and what evidence that you have of that? Violent and brutal yes! Hate crime? No. Time and the final police report will tell you many things. Be active, be aware, but don't be quick to play victim all the time. Try being a man and not a nag. Better yet, try to get Black gay men involved in other activites besides A4A, clubs and sex. I know for a fact tha if the BeBar did a book give away that night most of the people would have stayed home or went to another club.
Posted by: Not A Victim | 18 October 2008 at 14:22