An update in the "gay panic" case of a teenager who killed a black gay Maryland man in a brutal street attack in Washington, D.C. and plead guilty to a misdemeanor. D.C. City Council member Phil Mendelson is asking the United States Attorney's Office to bring 19-year-old Robert Hannah to trial so all of the facts surrounding the death of Tony Randolph Hunter can be made public, reports the Washington Blade.
Under the plea arrangement struck between prosecutor and Hannah in connection with the September 2008 death of Hunter, the maximum possible sentence is 180 days in jail. If he accepts the deal a trial would be avoided. In the letter to Channing Phillips, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Mendelson says that by foregoing a trial, the complete facts surrounding the case will never be known.
Hannah claims he punched Hunter after the gay man grabbed his crotch and butt when the two men crossed paths on a Washington D.C. street. Hunter fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement, lingering for ten days in a coma. One of Hunter's friends denies the sexual advance. The witness says Hannah and three or four other men attacked them and were unprovoked.
Plea Bargain Challenged [Wash Blade]
Some Background...
Outrage Over 180-Day Maximum Sentence [R20]
Killer of Gay MD Man Pleads Guilty to Misdemeanor [R20]
Fenty to Meet with Activists on Anti-Gay Violence [R20]
DC Police Say Fatal Attack Robbery, Not Hate Crime[R20]
"Gay Panic" Defense Alleged in Brutal DC Murder[R20]
DC Police Make Arrest in Brutal Killing of Gay Man [R20]
Fenty to Increase Fight Against Anti-Gay Hate Crimes [R20]
So, has Hannah made a decision whether or not to take the plea bargain? If he has, then the case is over. But if he hasn't, then the US Attorney's Office should revoke the plea deal. Let Hannah plead guilt to a more serious charge of murder or he can choose to go to trial. It seems to me that the prosecution is more interested in a path of least resistance rather than being interested in seeking justice. I'm tired of political expediency when it comes to people being harmed or murdered. Their actions perpetuate the opinion that LGBT folks are expendable people.
Posted by: Ravenback | 14 September 2009 at 10:27
If Hanna has accepted the plea yet, there isn't much they can do. But even if they haven't, you can't force someone to go to trial if they choose to plea down. But bravo to Mendelsohn for at least making some noise. Meanwhile, crickets from the thousands of brothas in Washington DC's black gay community.
Posted by: Former COGIC | 14 September 2009 at 10:53
Even if he accepts the deal, he MUST tell the truth surrounding the events and IF the prosecuting office feels he is not telling the truth, it can be revoked. Of course, he may tell the truth to get the light sentence and then deny it (i.e. using the Gay panic defense) later to save face. If he gets away with such a short sentence, it'll be a damn shame. The Prosecutor did a horrible job, IMMO.
Posted by: ronn | 14 September 2009 at 14:21