Penny Whipple-Kelly, 'I Thought She Was Safe' Diane's Death Could of Been Prevented
Photo by ABC.com
Diane and Sharon
(The Rainbow Netwok)
Sharon and 200 Other People attended Vigil That Marked the One Year Anniversary of Diane Whipple's Death.
(365Gay.Com)
S.F. Assemblywoman
Carole Migden's bill,
A.B. 25, passed the Assembly. A Victory
for Same-Sex Partners.
(Gay Financial Net)
FL Transsexual Custody Trial is Over, Now We Wait
It's all over execpt the waiting, for Judge O'Brien to render his final decision on custody of the two children. The experts have given their opinions, plaintiff's had their say, witness testimony is complete and attorney's closing arguments are finite. This
Transsexual Custody Case could have a tremendous impact on
the rights of those who have undergone sexual re-assignment in Florida. Will Florida law the medical profession decide, that Michael's gener is in fact a male. With Florida laws that seem to reflect religious beliefs when it addresses homosexuality. It
has been seen throughout the state of Florida, lawmakers do allow a persons religious beliefs, to be a factor in the decision making process in gay rights battles. I can only hope and pray that Micheal does get to remain part of his childrens lives.
Articles related to the court proceedings, background, expert
testimony and chronology of their marriage and events of their custody case. Articles dated January 23rd ~ 25th, 2002.
Linda's Testimony When They Met, Married, Broke-Up.,
Linda Forsythe met her future husband, a transsexual baker Michael Kantaras, she left the father of the baby she was carrying and custody battle over two children..
Pasco County Judge Gerard O'Brien. [Photo: Court TV]
Michael Kantaras Testrifies in Court
[Photo Court TV]
Linda Kantaras Testifies in Court
[Photo Court TV]
Sharon had appeared before the Assembly Judiciary Committee
in Sacramento, CA.
(Rich Pedroncelli/AP)
Greta Van Susteren and Nedra Ruiz
Photo Credit FoxNews
"Lesbian Dog-Mauling Death Trial"
Murder Trial in the Death of
Diane Whipple
Lead Prosecutor
James Hammer.
Video Clips
Prosecution and Defense Closing Argueements, Rebuttal, Press Conference & Reading of the Verticts
April 13: Nedra Ruiz conceded that she might have made mistakes during the five-week trial in Los Angeles, although she wouldn't specify what those mistakes might have been.
Knoller Picks New Attorney for Appeal Flamboyant Trial Lawyer Ruiz Replaced by Veteran Riordan
April 10: Marjorie Knoller has replaced the defense attorney who shouted, waved her arms and got down on
all fours in a vain attempt to persuade a jury to acquit her. Two San Francisco Chronicle Articles.
Jury Tell Reasons They Called it Murder ~ Negligence and Deception Cited in Mauling Trial
Several jurors said they disliked both defendants, but, tried to concentrate on accusations against them. They said, Knoller's testimony was not believable and was crucial to ther decision for second-degree murder.
Laura S. Winans, 26, had
been setting up a program
to help victims of sexual abuse. (Photo ~ AP) <Left
Julianne Marie Williams,
24, family prefer to focus
on the memory of her life.
(Photo ~ AP) Right>
Darrell David Rice was indicted in the women's deaths by federal grand jury. Rice is a Virginia prison inmate already serving time for an unrelated assault and attempted abduction. (Photo~AP) Right >
Ashcroft Calls Killing of Lesbian Couple "Hate Crime"
April 11: The US Justice Department has invoked the federal hate crimes statute for the first time in a case involving the murder of gay victims, charging a Maryland man with the deaths of two young New England women killed camping in Shenandoah National Park, VA. in 1996. Attorney General John Ashcroft, announced Rice's indictment, saying the women's slayings denied the world their budding talents, "which would have been substantial." Darrell David Rice of Columbia, Md., was indicted for the 1996 slayings of Julianne Williams and Laura ''Lollie'' Winans, the Justice Department announced. Already jailed on an unrelated kidnapping charge, Rice had told authorities the women ''deserved to die because they were lesbian (expletives),'' according to the prosecution's documents filed in court. [Boston Globe Online, CNN.Com News, Boston.Com and L.A. Times.]
Attn Gen John Ashcroft spoke in length to the media about the lives and character of the two murdered Women.
Female Hikers `Take Back the Trails'
May 25, 1997: The chestnut oaks and white pines in Virginia forests have cast longer shadows in the year since two women were found with their throats slashed at a back-country campsite in Shenandoah National Park.
2 Women Slain In Shenandoah National Park
June 4, 1996: Julianne Williams, 24, of St. Cloud, Minn., and Lollie Winans, 26, of Unity, Maine were slain at a secluded campsite near the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park, authorities said yesterday after finding the hikers' bodies over the weekend.
Throats of Shenandoah Hikers Were Slashed, Authorities Say
June 5, 1996: The two young women whose bodies were found over the weekend in Shenandoah National Park died when their throats were slashed at a remote campsite, officials said yesterday, but authorities still refused to release other details of the slayings. [Read Both Articles]
Transcript of Attnory General John Ashcroft Press Conference
April 10, 2002: John Ashcroft spoke at length about his meeting with the parents and about the lives and character of the victims: two Midwesterners who migrated to New England, met and became lovers, and shared a love of science and the outdoors. Following statement, Ashcroft answered questions from the media.
Press Release Announcing Indictment of Darrell David Rice
April 10: Darrell David Rice was charged with Capital Murder in a four count indictment in the killings of Julianne Marie Williams and Laura "Lollie" S. Winans in May 1996. [Click Here]
FBI investigators measure a trail in this June 5, 1996, file photo leading to the campsite where two women were found dead along the Appalachian Trail. (Steve Helber - AP File Photo)
Attack Led To Charges In Hikers' Slayings
April 10: Shenandoah National Park rangers arrested Darrell D. Rice in 1997 for trying to abduct a female bicyclist, he said he only wanted to "ruin her day" and "make her a little unhappy." But the frenzied nature of the attack led the rangers to focus on another crime the 1996 slayings of a lesbian couple, court records say.
Darrell David Rice Pleads Innocent in '96 Lesbian Couple's Deaths
April 26: A Maryland man charged with the 1996 murders of two lesbians at a campsite in Shenandoah National Park pleaded not guilty when he appeared in court Friday
April 24: Police Still Baffled by Killing
Authorities remained baffled for a motive, as they
continue to investigate the bludgeoning death of a
Westmoreland County teen-ager.
April 23: Teen's Parents Were Target
Teen accused of bludgeoning his brother to death,
intended to kill his parents, authorities said. Alleged
accomplice, Robert Matthew Laskowski, arraigned
on charges of first-degree murder, homicide and
conspiracy to commit murder.
April 21: Brother Planned Murder
Ian Bishop, 14, planned his brother's murder days before
the attack and showed no remorse as sibling lay bloodied
in the family's Bovard home, face-down in a bathtub filling
with shower water.
April 20: Teens Brother Sought in Hammer
State police continued to search early this morning for a
14-year-old youth suspected of fatally bludgeoning his
After the homily, Adam Bishop's parents, Jeffrey and Karen Bishop, huddled together in an embrace. Karen Bishop tightly clutched a small, white leather bible and photo of her brother Adam. [Photo to Right >]
June 6: Attorney: Teen Should be Prosecuted as a Juvenile
There is no evidence that Robert Laskowski conspired with Ian Bishop to plan the murder of Adam Bishop and so his case should be transferred to juvenile court.
June 5: Witnesses, Bishop Thought His Brother Was Gay
Witnesses testified during a preliminary hearing, Ian Bishop, bludgeoned his only sibling to death with a claw hammer April 19 because he thought his brother was homosexual. Read Articles.
May 16: Teen murder suspects members of 'Plad Mafia'.
Two teen-agers accused of plotting and carrying out murder of a High School senior were part of a small, clandestine clique at school known as the "Plad Mafia."
Ian Bishop. (Top) and
his alleged accomplice
Robert Laskowski, (Below)
S.C. Spangler/Tribune-Review
Adam Bishop
(Photo Gjuy Wathen
Tribune-Review)
Adam Bishop
Was bludgeoned to death, with claw hammer by his own brother, Ian Bishop, 14, and alleged accomplice Robert Laskowski, 15. As several witnesses testified the killing was because, Ian, thought he was gay. They testified, that Ian had also planned to kill his parents because he was angry at them, because they barred him from seeing his girlfriend.
Robert Laskowski an alleged accomplice being arrested
(S.C.Spangler/Tribune-Review)
The Family home where Adam
was beaten to death. (Below)
Joe Roscart embraces Nicole Johnston and Mary Wargo
(S.C.Spangler/Tribune-Review)
Mourners Leave Evangelical Lutheran Church of Holy Trinity (Eric Schmadel/Tribune-Review)
Sentencing, New Trial Decision Postponed
June 7: Judge James Warren has continued sentencing of married lawyers Marjorie Knoller and Robert Noel until June 17 and apologized to victim's domestic partner for the delay.
Marjorie Knoller and her lawyer, Dennis Riordan, during Friday's hearing.
(Photo Credit Court TV)
Sharon Smith, breaks down in tears during Friday's hearing.
(Photo Credit Court TV)
A Town Divided
In February 2001, Rifle teen Kyle Skyock said four other teens beat him unconscious and left him face down alongside U.S. 6. Skyock said he was attacked because he was gay, while Rifle police believe otherwise.
Four youths, two sets of brothers, beat him after a night of drinking, back in Feb. 2001. His attackers suddenly, began to kick, beat and bang his head on the back of an SUV and hit him with a baseball bat, leaving Kyle for dead on a roadside. Kyle was comatose for three days, suffered a fractured skull, bruising, three broken ribs and a burnlike sore on his left shoulder.
Beating Death of Fred Martinez Jr.
June 4: When Shaun Murphy finally cried Monday, the tears flowed as he walked from court, about to start a 40-year prison sentence for the murder of Fred C. Martinez Jr..
Included in post; Pauline Mitchell, Fred's Mother Describes her Anguish at Sentencing. Read Both Articles.
Shaun Murphy Plea Stands Sentencing Scheduled
May 23: Murphy Opts Not to Change Plea, his sentencing has been scheduled for June 3rd.
Shaun Murphy Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder
Feb 12: Shaun Murphy, entered a guilty plea to second-degree in Montezuma County District Court, charges of first-degree murder and attempted escape were dropped. Sentencing set for May 16. and Murphy faces between four ~ 48 years in prison for brutally beating Cortez teen Fred Martinez to death on June 21.
Pauline Mitchell
Fred's Mother
Shaun Murphy (T)
when arrested
and sentenced.(B)
(Jerry McBride
Durango Herald)
Fred C. Martinez Jr.
Jeffery Tod Owens
Jeffery and a friend were attacked outside a gay bar, they were beaten and stabbed, Jeffery died, his friend did survive. Charges of Murder, Gang Enhancement and with allegations, that it was a Hate Crime. Jeffery had worked for Inland AIDS Project, was a gay activist and survived by his life partner, Jeff Holland. A website dedicated to the memory of Jeffery Tod Owens, whose life was tragically taken on the evening of June 5th-6th, 2002. Synopsis of the websites contents and links.
Police Drian Lake in Search of Murder Weapon
June 24: Police drained and searched bed of Fairmount Park's Lake Evans looking for evidence in the stabbing. They said they hoped to find a weapon that may have been used in the killing of Jeffery Owens, 40.
Knife Found in Stabbing Probe
June 25: Police in Riverside said they had found a knife fitting the characteristics of the one used in the June 5, stabbing in parking lot of The Menagerie bar.
Six Enter Innocent Pleas in Beating and Stabbing Death of Gay Man
June 26: The five men charged in the beating and stabbing death of Jeffery Owens, pleaded not guilty to murder charges and hate-crime allegations. A woman also pleaded not guilty to a charge of being an accessory to murder in the death of the Moreno Valley, gay activist. All six are scheduled to return to court July 18, when a preliminary hearing date could be set.
Search Warrants Stir up Stabbing Case
June 20: Riverside police served several search warrants and seized a
truck matching a description of one seen leaving the bar after attack.
Four Arrested in Beating and Stabbing Death of Jeffery Owens
June 21: Five Riverside gang members will be charged with murder and committing a hate crime in connection with the stabbing death of a gay
activist, authorities said.
More Charges in Jeffery's Death Gang and Hate Enhancement
June 22: The suspected gang member accused of killing Jeffery Owens
may have stabbed the gay activist, but his mother contends it was not a
"The only motive for this attack was hatred," Riverside Police Chief Russ Leach said at a news conference at police headquarters.
Deputy District Attorney Anne Corrado (R) speaks with Michael Bussee.
(All Photos The Press Enterprise)
Killer Dogs Owner Gets the Max, For Now
July 15: Marjorie Knoller was sentenced to four years for involuntary manslaughter and for owning a mischievous animal in the fatal vicious mauling death of Diane Whipple. Blasts verdict.
Sharon Smith Attorney Rebukes Judge's Decision
July 20: An attorney for Sharon Smith, the partner of dog mauling victim Diane Whipple, blasts San Francisco Superior Court Judge James Warren for implying a jury's conviction of second-degree murder against one of
the dogs' caretakers, Marjorie Knoller, was tantamount to vigilante justice.
Kyle Skyock, 16, holding hands with his mother, Sharlene Skyock, as father, Mike Skyock, stands next to them at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Junction. Charles Lintott: Special to the News
Jeffery Tod Owens
12/12/61 ~ 06/06/02
(The Press-Enterprise)
Vincent Corrales, a disc jockey at The Menagerie, sets a candle at memorial marking the spot where Jeffery Owens was fatally stabbed. As more than 400 people gather for candlelight vigil in Jeffery's memory.
(William Lewis and David Shea Press-Enterprise)
Jeff Holland, Jeffery Owens'
partner, at memorial service.
(Carlos Puma/Press-Enterprise)
The Press Enterprise News Articles on Jeffery Owens June 8~16
*Death Probed as Hate Crime. *Horrified City Stands Together.
*Crowd Mourns Slaying Victim. *Murder in a Parking Lot.
*Police Still Probe Killing. *Panel to Discuss Stabbing Death.
*Meeting Turned Into Eulogy. *Hate Label May Not Stick Legally.
*Family & Friends of Stabbing Victim Pour Out Love, But, Mourners' Cries of Pain Elicit No Answers. [Click to View Index of News Articles]
Riverside Police Department June 20, 2002 Press Release
Jeffery Owens Homicide Investigation Fact Sheet, Radio Traffic, The Circumstances, The Investigation and Arrests Made.
Marjorie Knoller's New Neighbors Are California's Toughest Women Prisoners
Aug. 18: Knoller was moved to the Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) in Chowchilla, home to the state's death row for women. Knoller will mix with high security inmates, many of whom were convicted of violent crimes, including murder, and lower-security convicts who are mostly nonviolent drug-related crimes.
Diane Whipple & Sharon Smith
Photo Credit Court TV
Marjorie Knoller & Robert Noel
Photo Credit Court TV
Adam Ezerski Faces Trial for Slaying Brooklyn Resident
Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty against Adam Ezerski, 20, for killing Anthony Martilotto, a gay man from Brooklyn. Ezerski is charged with the murdering Martilotto, in a Ft Lauderdale hotel room last summer, before, he fled to San Francisco in Martilotto's rented Ford Mustang. Ezerski said he killed Martilotto in self-defense after Martilotto tried to rape him. He also denied attacking a man in San Francisco. He said he engaged in a mutual fight with the man after the man refused to pay him for sex.
Adam Ezerski Likened to Gay Spree Killer Andrew Cunanan
Gay Community Put FBI on Suspect's Trail
August 19: The FBI pursued Adam Ezerski 3,000 miles from Florida, but it was tips from a
mobilized gay community in the Bay Area that put agents on right path to Reno, where they
caught up with the fugitive suspected of killing two gay men. Photo gallery of those who had
August 31: The San Francisco man who befriended and was later arrested in Reno with Florida murder suspect Adam Ezerski is blasting the media and police for demonizing Ezerski. "He's a sweet innocent 19-year-old kid," said Troy Young in jailhouse interview
with the Bay Area Reporter and KGO-TV news, "and I think that's really sad and that just shows what our media and our police forces have come to.
August 22: Ezerski Discounted in Second Slaying Slaying.
So, Alex, then 12 and Derek, then 13, could live with Ricky Chavis, a 40 year-old convicted child molester and Alex's lover. Both the boys pleaded guilty to Third-Degree Murder and Arson Charges. Alex was sentenced to seven and Derek eight years in prison.
Trev Broudy
Trev was attacked Sept. 1 on a Street in West Hollywood just after voice-over artist hugged his friend, Edward Ulett. Trev remained in a coma for ten days following the attack. He is now undergoing physiotherapy and doctors say it is too early to tell if he will have lasting mental impairment. One of the men charged in the beating, says the attack was not a hate-crime, they didn't know he was gay. Hate crime charges were filed, but, were later withdrawn. The defendants are scheduled for arraignment on Jan. 31. TBC news staff will monitor the trial and be posting updates regularly.
"Eye on Treve Broudy October 2002 News Archives"
*D.A Says "Attack Not Like Shepard Murder" ~ *L.A. Mayor, Attack Victim Push for Hate Crime Charges.
*Victim of West Hollywood Attack Criticizes D.A. *LA City Council Urges DA File Hate Crime Charges.
*LA DA Picketed for Not Prosecuting Gay Attack as Hate Crime. *Sexuality Did Not Prompt Attack.
