[size=2]Attackers in 2006 Kevin Aviance Gay Bashing Plead Guilty[/size]



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 a...ired 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.

i heard about this yesterday. good on them to plead guilty.

good on them.

i remember when this happened almost a year ago. it was right before pride here in nyc, where aviance is a huge local star.

it really put a bit of a damper on the fun, because everyone was talking about it.
[Edited 3/23/07 10:43am]

I wanted to see them get put away for the full 25 years. That story made me angry.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

They just plead guilty to receive less time....I don't know why the offered them a plea

I have nodoubt that some big Gay dude is planning their homecoming party as we speak, because that's where home will be for the next 8 to 15 yrs

So sad the youngest gets the longest time. He was just 16 at the time.

LightOfArt said:

he must have done more harm that the other's .. or they put the blame on him as the instigator

banks said:

yeah must be.

It's so sad how kids turn so fucked up and ruin their lives. I don't even know who to blame

I hope they get their assholes streched out wider than Bootsy's Rubberband in prison.