The Face Of Hate
Mary Ellen Peterson
365Gay.com Newscenter in Los Angeles

September 6, 2002

(Los Angeles)  Police have released a sketch of the man suspected of beating "Fluffer" actor Trev Broudy with a baseball bat.

The gay actor was with a friend outside a West Hollywood restaurant when he was attacked earlier this week.  

Broudy's condition was upgraded Friday morning to serious from critical.  He remains in a coma, however,  at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre where he underwent two operations on his brain to stop the bleeding. It is not yet known if he suffered brain damage in the attack.

Broudy had appeared in several industrial films before landing the small role as a TV reporter in "The Fluffer."  He also worked as a model in the L.A. area.

Born Treve Broudy,  he dropped the final 'e' on his first name when he began his acting career.  Media releases from the Sheriff's office, however, refer to him as Treve. 

His mother Joy Vernor told reporters she was finding it difficult to come to terms with the attack. "I can't imagine this happening to Trev because he is the least violent person....And I cannot believe, I cannot, I won't believe that he's going to leave us."

Meanwhile, police say a third man was attacked early Monday morning near the spot where Broudy and his friend were beaten.

The man's name is not being released by police "for his own security",  He made his report after learning of the attack on Broudy. The man suffered large bruises on the back of his head, but did not require medical help.

Police are investigating both attacks as hate-crimes.

The suspect is described as an African-American male, standing anywhere from 5 feet 5 inches tall to 6 feet 2 inches tall, in his 20s with a slim to average build, said West Hollywood Detective John Kniest. 

At the time of the attack, the suspect was wearing a dark baggy T-shirt, baggy pants and a beanie cap, he said.

An angry Sheriff Lee Baca promised Thursday to do everything his department can do to bring the three men "to justice".

"A crime perpetrated against a man who has the legal privilege and the right to be who he is," Baca said.

"This is an outrage. This is something that the sheriff's department will investigate until these three suspects are brought to justice."

Broudy's family is offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the trio of suspects. A West Hollywood business has added another $10,000 to the reward fund.

©365Gay.com Ltd® 2002

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