Murderer of Gay Man Get's Life Sentence

Last month I wrote about Ryan Skipper who was murdered most likely because he was gay. Now, one of Skipper's killers has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder and his co-defendant will go to trial at a later date. I truly cannot fathom the mindset that motivates someone to kill another person that they don't even know merely because they are different - be it because they are gay, a different race or a different religion. Even more so, I cannot understand the sick mindset of alleged religious leaders and professional Christians who go out of their way to instill hatred towards others, particularly gays. They are the ones who create the atmosphere where such murders are deemed justified. It is truly very sick and disgusting. And yes, I mean people like Benedict XVI, James Dobson, Tony Perkins, etc., who are hate mongers parading around as men of God. Here are some highlights from Fox News Tampa (it is noteworthy that the judge gave the maximum sentence - some of our judges in Virginia likely would have given the minimum sentence if the victim was gay):

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BARTOW - A judge has sentenced Joseph Bearden to life in prison for his role in the stabbing death of Ryan Skipper. Earlier today, the jury Joseph Bearden guilty of second-degree murder charges in connection with the stabbing death of Skipper, an openly gay man in 2007. The judge gave Bearden the maximum sentence, telling him he believed he killed Skipper because he way gay.

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Jurors said Bearden was guilty on all five charges he was on trial for: of theft of a motor vehicle, accessory after the fact, tampering with evidence and dealing in stolen property. The jury of three men and nine women deliberated more than 11 hours in the case at the Polk County Courthouse. The second-degree degree murder charge means the death penalty is off the table. The defendant does not face life in prison day for day like a first-degree murder verdict with life in prison. He does face at least 25 years in prison.

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Forensic evidence showed was that Skipper was in fact stabbed to death in his own car. He was stabbed 19 times with wounds in his back and neck. The judge will sentence Bearden according to the verdict guidelines later today. The trial has drawn attention partly because Ryan Skipper was gay, and the defense theory was that he was killed because he was "messing" with the defendants. But neither Bearden or Brown were charged with hate crimes because the prosecution said robbery, not hate, was the motive for the killing.

Trial Begins in Gay Man's Stabbing Death

With the current flurry of Christianist anti-gay propaganda both in West Virginia and Utah among other places, out of Florida comes a reminder of the consequences of such hate speech. In March, 2007, Ryan Skipper (pictured at left) was found brutally murdered on the side of a Florida highway. Skipper's wounds included deep cuts to both sides of his neck, and multiple stab wounds to his shoulder and back. One of the accused killers had made derogatory remarks to others about Skipper's being gay. No doubt a bigotry made acceptable in part by the constant anti-gay mantra heard compliments of Christianists and many in the GOP - much like what the Nazi regime to desensitize the German populace to violence against Jews. In my view, true Christians do not disseminate a constant message of hate and denigration - but then, our enemies are not true Christians. The sad truth is that anyone of us could become a victim like Ryan Skipper merely by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Here are some highlights from The Ledger on the trial commencement:

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Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Joseph Eli Bearden, one of two defendants charged with the 2007 murder and robbery of Ryan Skipper. A woman going to the store about 1 a.m. on March 14, 2007, discovered Skipper's body lying on Morgan Road in Wahneta, south of Winter Haven. He had been stabbed to death. Prosecutors say Bearden, 23, and William David Brown Jr. killed Skipper and stole his 2007 Chevrolet Aveo. Brown, 22, of Wahneta, is awaiting trial.

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The Winter Haven man's killing brought attention to harassment and violence directed toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. A documentary was filmed about Skipper's life and death. The film's director, Vicki Nantz, provided a statement Monday to reporters on behalf of Skipper's family. "We are grateful to everyone who has sent their love and support to our family from the tragic day to the beginning of this trial. We know that hate is at the root of this terrible crime," the statement said.

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Investigators have said Bearden made derogatory remarks to others about Skipper's being gay. But in opening statements, prosecutors focused on the robbery of Skipper as the motive for the killing. . . . After the killing, Bearden and Brown drove away in Skipper's vehicle, Castillo said. He said fingerprints found on the car included Skipper's, Bearden's and Brown's. The car was abandoned at a boat ramp on Lake Pansy. Papers were ignited in the car, but the fire burned out with minimal damage.