In Wisconsin, a forensic psychiatrist testified that Gary Hirte experienced panic after having gay sex, which sparked a "micro-psychotic episode" in which he killed Glenn Kopitske: "I believe that he killed this man, in this brutal way, because he unconsciously wanted to kill his own homosexuality." The defense is expected to rest in the sanity case today.

In Kentucky, jurors recommended 30 years for Joshua Cottrell, whose gay panic defense reduced his conviction from murder to manslaughter and theft. Cottrell killed Richie Phillips in a motel room and packed the body in a suitcase before letting it sink to the bottom of a lake.

Background: Gay Panic the New Black in Midwestern Murder

Posted Feb. 3,2005 at 10:06 AM EST by Andy Towle in Current Affairs | Permalink

1. Hmph. In the future when I realize I've once again lain down with a "straight" man and I expereience "heterosexual" panic, I shan't be held responsible!

   Posted by: Rob | Feb 3, 2005 10:35:02 AM

   
   

2. i'm having a "micro-psychotic" episode right now after reading that juries bought this shit

   Posted by: anthony in sf | Feb 3, 2005 11:52:19 AM

   
   

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