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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