03/22/2007
Attackers in 2006 Kevin Aviance Gay Bashing Plead Guilty
The four attackers who threw garbage bags and a paint can at drag performer Kevin Aviance before brutally beating him in New York's East Village in June 2006 pleaded guilty to charges last night:
"In exchange for their guilty pleas Gerard Johnson, 17, will be sentenced to 15 years in prison; Akino George and Jarell Sears, both 21, will get eight-year prison terms; and Gregory Archie, 19, receive a six-year sentence. They had faced up to 25 years in prison if they had been convicted of the top count, first-degree assault as a hate crime. Designating an offense a hate crime increases the sentence the judge is allowed to impose."
Aviance was not able to speak to reporters last June as he left the hospital with his leg in a brace and his mouth wired shut. He showed up later that month at an anti-violence rally, and later sent a message to his attackers: "You chose the wrong queen." In July, Aviance's attackers blamed their victim. It appears that now, in exchange for plea deals, they've changed their tune.
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Posted 8:35 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, Gay Slurs, Kevin Aviance, New York, News | Permalink
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WORK! I hope Kevin offers them all make-up tips for their time in prison where they'll spend 6 - 15 years getting raped in the ass.
I love it ALL
Posted by: I EAT MY OWN SHIT | Mar 22, 2007 8:46:18 AM
Work, mama. Justice...you have been SERVED, girl! I wonder how underreported this lil story will be. Additionally, Jennifer Hudson is constructed of ten tons of actual dung.
Posted by: GNAW OFF MY INFECTED CLIT | Mar 22, 2007 8:58:11 AM
They need to plaster the guys' pics all over the news.
Posted by: shane | Mar 22, 2007 9:39:22 AM
Good, they're right where they belong...
Posted by: Robert In WeHo | Mar 22, 2007 9:40:05 AM
Almost a year later, they're still dealing with pleas? Those options should have been off the table long ago.
Posted by: 000000 | Mar 22, 2007 10:00:21 AM
Glad to hear they'll be in jail for awhile. I don't know enough about each individual, but I wonder why the sentences vary so much. Anyone have more info on that?
Posted by: gabriel | Mar 22, 2007 11:54:24 AM
Bittersweet to say the least - Justice was served but it can never be an entirely good thing when a 17 year old goes to prison for 15 years. You think these kids were fucked up now - imagine the monsters they are going to come out as.
The story sux all the way around but hopefully Kevin will find some peace in the verdict and others will think twice before committing similarly heinous acts of brutality.
Posted by: Giovanni | Mar 22, 2007 1:03:59 PM
It's refreshing to see that sometimes violent actions actually have severe consequences in american society.
Posted by: ShawnSF | Mar 22, 2007 1:11:40 PM
Problem with sending young men to prison is that when they get out they will have learned new ways of attacking with more brutal ways. Beware, we will be hearing from
them again.
Just a thought.
Posted by: Dr. Pat | Mar 23, 2007 6:47:50 AM