James Allen Carroll and Lyonn Tatum (right) along with accessory Kevin James Lincoln will learn their fates today when a judge sentences them for the brutal anti-gay attacks at the San Diego Gay Pride festival in Balboa Park last July.
The three pleaded guilty in court on Friday at a preliminary hearing. According to NBC San Diego, “As a result of a plea bargain with prosecutors, Carroll is expected to be sentenced to 11 years in prison. Prosecutors are recommending eight years in prison for Tatum and 32 months for Lincoln.”
Last week, a 15-year-old pleaded guilty to his part in the attacks and could face 13 years in custody when sentenced on October 4th.
Six men were attacked as they left Balboa Park on July 29. Last Thursday, witnesses and victims described what happened the night of the beatings:
“At least two of the victims were struck by a baseball bat. One victim, Oscar Foster, is expected to be released from hospital next week following reconstructive surgery on his face. He was struck nearly a dozen times with an aluminum bat. Another victim testified Thursday at the preliminary hearing for the three accused. Paul Mullins, 34, told the court he was hit twice with a baseball bat. He said he called 911 on his cellphone and began to follow the attackers through the park. The gang next went after a man who was sitting on a bench. ‘They just beat him … They just kept beating him,' Mullins testified. The gang then attacked another man in some bushes. ‘They yelled ‘faggot' at him,' Mullins told the court. He said that he yelled to the victim that police were on the way. One of the attackers then told the others ‘We've got to get out of here.' In other attacks some of the victims were stabbed – none received life threatening injuries.”
I'll have an update here as soon as I learn of the sentences.
UPDATE: “Judge Frederick Maguire sentenced Carroll to 11 years in prison, Tatum to eight years and Lincoln to 32 months. They were immediately taken from courtroom after the sentencing.”
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