Daniel Rodriguez, the second suspect in the brutal weekend gay-bashing who was arrested in Virginia on Tuesday, was returned to New York City overnight and arraigned in a Queens courtroom this morning. Rodriguez faces assault as hate crime charges in connection with the beating of Jack Price.
Watch the video ON THE JUMP.
Prosecutors say Rodriguez confessed to NYPD detectives after his arrest in Norfolk, reports WABC.
According to prosecutors, Rodriguez admitted he and the other suspect Daniel Aleman confronted Price believing he was about to write his phone number on a wall in order to solicit other men. It was that confrontation that led to the beating. Prosecutors also say Rodriguez admitted to yelling anti-gay epithets while beating Price. Rodriguez's attorney says that his client never confessed and that the NYPD detectives basically put words in his client's mouth.
The judge remanded Rodriguez to jail without bail.
Christina Rodriguez, the suspect's sister, tells the New York Daily News her brother does not hate gays he has gay relatives and once had a gay roommate. "If he's guilty of anything, he'll man up to it."
There's good news to report. Jack Price, the 49-year-old victim, had surgery Wednesday night and has been removed from the respirator. He is in stable condition.
Queens-based author and activist Nathan James has this news: "There will be a March and rally protesting this horrendous attack on Saturday, in Queens. The March begins at 2PM at College Point Blvd. and 20th Avenue, proceeds past the site of the attack, and culminates in a Rally at Poppenhausen Playground on 14th Avenue. Take a 7 train to Main Street, then Q65 bus to 20th Ave. I strongly encourage everyone in the NYC area who can do so, to come out and make a bold statement against homophobic violence."
Watch the video ON THE JUMP.
NY-- do ya part and stand up against this kind of hatred!
Posted by: CC | 15 October 2009 at 15:43
Now I guess we go from gay panic to graffiti patrol. It's always the gay man's fault for getting beaten to a pulp. Give me a knife and I'll carve some things on their bodies.
Posted by: Ravenback | 15 October 2009 at 16:22
WOW!
A march for a white gay beating victim.
180 days in jail for a brotha who murders another black gay man with little to no reaction from the black gay community.
I am totally speechless.
Posted by: Jairaun | 15 October 2009 at 17:20
Heck, what's wrong with these gay people? Any God-fearing man knows that publicizing one's phone number is an act punishable by death.
It's in the Qur'an for sure. Or maybe Leviticus. Or was it Bishop Harry Jackson's sermon last Sunday?
Posted by: Jim | 15 October 2009 at 23:24
Two men against a guy 5'6" 130 lb man?? He's lucky he not dead. I just don't understand the depth of hatred for gays.
Posted by: Andy | 17 October 2009 at 15:51