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Suspected Serial Killer Elias Abuelazam to be Arraigned in Flint

The 33-year-old Israeli Arab man suspected of a horrific stabbing spree of 18 attacks in three states, including five fatal stabbings, has been returned to Flint, Michigan to face charges. All but one of the victims were Black or dark skinned men.

  Elias Abuelazam was extradited from Atlanta this morning. Abuelazam was arrested August 11 at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport before catching a flight bound for Tel Aviv.

Detroit's FOX 5 reports Abuelazam is expected to land in Flint at 1P ET. The Israeli national is scheduled for a 3P video arraignment and faces one charge of assault with intent to commit murder.

Residents in an around Flint have slammed the Flint Police Department, Genessee County Sheriff and Michigan State Police for taking up to three months to link the attacks ... and not warning them that a serial killer was on the loose. One 17-year-old stabbing victim says police "never" questioned him the night he was attacked and "waited days" to ask any questions.

WATCH: Serial Slasher Elias Abuelazam Appears in Court

The latest on Elias Abuelazam, the 33-year-old Israeli Arab suspected of a horrific stabbing spree at least 20 men. All but one were Black or dark skinned. Five men were killed around Flint, Michigan and others were attacked in Virginia and Ohio. Abuelazam appeared in an Atlanta court on Friday and agreed to return to Michigan to face charges.

Abuelazam did not fight extradition. So far, there is one Flint-area arrest warrant  for a charge of assault with intent to murder. Michigan State Police want to take their time and build cases in the other murders and assaults.

  Federal investigators probe a hate crime motive.

The FBI and Virginia police now believe the serial slashing suspect killed a Leesburg man in March 2009.

The stabbings and murders of random Black men around Flint initially "drew little attention", reports the AP. Why did it take the police so long to realize there was a serial killer?

Watch and hear the man described as a "stone cold killer" in court AFTER THE JUMP ...

Police Consider Hate Crime Motive by Slasher Suspect Elias Abuelazam

Disturbing details are emerging about Elias Abuelazam, the 33-year-old Israeli Arab suspect arrested by law enforcement at the Atlanta International Airport on suspicion of being behind stabbings of 18 men. All but one were black or dark skinned. Five men were killed in the terror spree around Flint, Michigan and others were attacked in Virginia and Ohio.

Abuelazam has been in police custody TWICE in as many weeks and was released. "At least twice in recent weeks, police in Michigan and Virginia nabbed him, with police in Virginia even spotting possible murder weapons, reports ABC News. "In both cases, the authorities let him go, apparently failing to peg him as a suspect in the stabbings."

Abuelazam has been charged with assault with intent to murder in the July 27 stabbing in Flint. More charges are expected and the Israeli citizen is being questioned by federal authorities who are trying to determine if indeed the stabbings were racially motivated, reports MSNBC. The last young man viciously stabbed by the serial slasher provided the crucial identification police needed to arrest Abuezalam. Watch WJRT and ABC News' reports WHEN YOU JUMP

WATCH: Serial Slasher Suspect Arrested Enroute to Israel

The man suspected in a high-profile series of stabbings in Michigan, Virginia and Ohio that resulted in at least 20 attacks and five deaths was arrested at the Atlanta airport as he tried to board a plane bound for Israel, according to MSNBC and the Atlanta Journal Constitution. All but one of the victims were black or dark-skinned men.

Police say the unidentified man was apprehended at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as he attempted to board a Delta flight 152 for Tel Aviv. The suspect was later handed over to the FBI and Atlanta police. The man reportedly was traveling on an expired Israeli passport and has been identified as an Israeli citizen who lived near Flint, according to Detroit 4.

"Based on over 500 tips police received, they learned the suspect worked at a party store north of Flint. Officers checked surveillance video from the store to confirm the suspect previously worked at that store. Authorities were able to obtain search warrants and track the suspect electronically through several states. The manager told Local 4 the man worked there for about a month. He started on July 5 and hasn't been seen since Aug. 1. Police said the man lived in the Flint-area but is an Israeli citizen. He is in the US legally, according to an anonymous source."

A news conference will be held later this afternoon in Flint. Watch CNN and local news reports AFTER THE JUMP ...

2 Indictments in Murder of Marland Woods, Gay Toledo Man Brutally "Kicked and Stomped" to Death

An update to the tragic holiday murder of Marland Woods, the 32-year-old gay Toledo man who was "kicked and stomped in the head" across the street from a gay bar. Woods was hospitalized and died six days from head injuries. Authorities arrested one man last week and now announce indictments against two men, WTOL reports.

Terrance Osley, 20, and Norman Corggens, 20, were indicted on a charge of involuntary manslaughter. If convicted, each could face up to 10 years in prison. Corggens was arrested on a felonious assault charge shortly after the Dec. 13 attack. He was released on his own recognizance after appearing in Toledo Municipal Court. Osley was arrested Dec. 30. He remains in custody in lieu of $150,000 bond.

On the night of December 13, one of Woods' straight, female friends was involved in a fight at Caesar’s Show Bar. Woods attempted to protect the young woman. After the crowd was ejected, witnesses say Woods crossed the street and was later viciously attacked by a man who "kicked and stomped on his head." Authorities say Osley delivered the fatal beating and he and several accomplices fled in a white Jeep. The Toledo Police Dept. says the vicious beating was "not" a hate crime, but have not confirmed it was related to the fight across the street.

Woods had a 10-year domestic partnership and a commitment ceremony in September

2 Toledo men indicted in Findlay man’s death [WTOL]

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Arrest in Murder of Marland Woods
Charges Upgraded in Brutal Murder of Gay Toledo Man?
Toledo Gay Man Killed in Bashing, Suspect Released

Toledo Police Make Arrest in Murder of Marland Woods, Gay Man Brutally "Kicked and Stomped" to Death

There are new and very welcome developments in the case of Marland Woods, the 32-year-old gay Toledo man who was "kicked and stomped in the head" across the street from a gay bar. Woods was hospitalized and died five days from head injuries. Toledo police announce their first arrest and 20-year old Terrance Osley now faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, reports WTOL.

On the night of December 13, one of Woods' friends was involved in a fight at Caesar’s Show Bar. After the crowd was ejected, witnesses say Woods crossed the street and viciously attacked by a man who "kicked and stomped on his head." Authorities say Osley delivered the fatal beating and he and several accomplices fled in a white Jeep. One of the accomplices, 22-year-old Norman Coggins was later apprehended, arraigned on charges of felonious assault and released. Both suspects are due to return to court next week, reports WTVG

Woods had a 10-year domestic partnership and a commitment ceremony in September.

Charges Upgraded in Brutal Murder of Gay Man Killed in Toledo?

More on the tragic case of Marland Woods, the 32-year-old gay Toledo man who was"kicked and stomped in the head" across the street from a gay bar. Woods was hospitalized and died of head injuries nearly a week later. Prosecutors charged 20-year-old Norman Corggens with felonious assault and hours later he walked out of jail on his recognizance. The Lucas County deputy coroner has ruled Woods death was a homicide.

Toledo Deputy Police Chief Don Kenney told the Blade detectives were awaiting the coroner's report "to make sure [his death] was attributed to the assault and then it's normally presented to a grand jury." Sources tell Rod 2.0 that prosecutors are developing the case for the grand jury.

On the night of December 13, one of Woods' friends was involved in a fight at Caesar’s Show Bar. After the crowd was ejected, witnesses say Woods crossed the street and was later viciously attacked by a man who "kicked and stomped on his head." Authorities will not say if the suspect was connected to the bar brawl, or, if this was a random attack. Police say "there is no indication" this was a hate crime.

Woods had a 10-year domestic partnership and a commitment ceremony in September. Friends and family held a vigil at the scene of the crime. Watch the video and hear from family and his partner AFTER THE JUMP.

Toledo Gay Man Killed in Bashing, Suspect Released without Bond

A gay Toledo man is dead after a brutal beating and the suspect is released from jail without bond. There is no official explanation for the vicious assault on Marland Woods that included "kicking and stomping" his head ... but police say "there is no indication" it was a hate crime.

The trouble began the early morning of December 13 on the dance floor at Caesar’s Showbar. The brawl spilled into the street after the crowd was ejected. Thirty-two-year-old Woods reportedly tried to intervene and protect another individual during the melee.

Woods then walked across the street to the bus station at 711 Jefferson, where he was attacked by another man, Toledo police said. The man kicked Mr. Woods and stomped on his head. He then fled with two others in a white Jeep. Shortly after, police stopped the vehicle at 17th and Adams streets and arrested Mr. Corggens after a brief scuffle, officers said. Jade Boff, 21, of Fostoria also was charged with disorderly conduct, intoxication, and resisting arrest.

Woods was hospitalized and succumbed to head injuries nearly a week later on Dec. 19. Prosecutors charged 20-year-old Corggens with felonious assault, reports The Courier, "but have not charged him or anyone else with murder." Corggens was released on his own recognizance pending a January 8 preliminary hearing. It's not known if Lucas County prosecutors will upgrade charges to manslaughter or perhaps second-degree murder.

Woods had a 10-year domestic partnership with Brian Hunker. The two purchased a house together in 2005 and had a commitment ceremony in September. "Every hour is a struggle," Hunker tells WTVG.

Says Shonda Floyd, the sister: "He was such a homebody. This was only the second time this year he went to a bar and this happened to him. He never started any trouble. He died trying to keep someone else from being hurt." Shonda Floyd adds to WTVG: "I want to see some type of justice. They stomped my brother. It’s absolutely not right... They took away my kids’ uncle. They took away my brother."

Black University Administrator Suspended for Anti-Gay Column

A University of Toledo administrator is on paid leave following the publication of a column she wrote opposing gay rights and same sex marriage in the local Toledo Free Press. The column raised more than a few eyebrows because the writer is the university's top human resources officer and is charged with promoting equality and diversity in the university community.

Associate Vice President of Human Resources Crystal Dixon wrote: "As a Black woman who happens to be an alumnus of the University of Toledo’s Graduate School, an employee and business owner, I take great umbrage at the notion that those choosing the homosexual lifestyle are ‘civil rights victims.’ Here’s why. I cannot wake up tomorrow and not be a Black woman. I am genetically and biologically a Black woman and very pleased to be so as my Creator intended. Daily, thousands of homosexuals make a life decision to leave the gay lifestyle...."

As "evidence", the university administrator cited "irrefutable economic data", biblical passages, ex-gay groups and praised Charlene E. Cothran, the former black lesbian publisher of Venus Magazine, as "an aggressive, strategic supporter of gay rights and a practicing lesbian for 29 years, before she renounced her sexuality and gave Jesus Christ stewardship of her life."

Just as an fyi, the right-wing Family Research Council is now taking up Dixon's cause, those right-wing Christians are always pleased to use the "ex-gay" myth as a wedge issue for blacks. This should be good for their fundraising.

Robert Salem, a board member of Equality Toldeo and a clinical professor of law at the university, says he and other gay professors were "disappointed and stunned" that a senior university official could espouse "such ignorant views."

When Equity Official Takes Anti-Gay Stance [IHE]
Gay Rights and Wrongs: Another Perspective [TFP]
Univ. Employee Suspended Over 'Anti-Gay' Column [CP]
Interview: Black Ex-Lesbian Charlene Cothran [Jas Cannick]