Tampa Bay Coalition
Eye on
GLBT Youth Special News Report
Fred Martinez, Jr.
"A different
life, a brutal death" Credit Rocky Mountain Times.
Hate
Takes Another Gay Teen From His Family
How many more times will we hear of someone boasting to friends, "I beat
up a fag"? How many more gay teens will be suddenly taken from their family,
friends and our communities? When will the Hate, Torment, Harassment, Ridicule
and Violence directed toward our gay teens ever end? When will we stop having to
think or ask these same questions?
Fred Martinez, Jr. was brutally bludgeoned about the head and left to
die. Blunt force trauma to his head contributed to the cause of death. His body
exposed to the elements nearly a week before being found. Fred last seen by his
family on June 16th., it wasn't until June 21st., that they learned of his
tragic death.
After a tip of Shaun
Murphy boasting to friends, "I beat up a fag", led to his arrest for the
murder of Fred Martinez, Jr..The 18 year old
suspect's Mother insists the killing was not a hate crime. It
had been reported that he
grew up around a gay oriented family lifestyle.
Requests for support and to show we care for the Fred's attending our
schools and living in our communities, has been made. Fred's mother released a
statement along with various organization who are planning on holding
candlelight vigils in Fred's memory. They request that others hold vigils in
cities across the country. I have posted some of these received by TBC. We
support their efforts, dedication to our gay teens and support of Fred's family.
Fred Martinez, Jr. Photo
Gallery
2002 News
Archives
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.
Shaun Murphy Sentencing
Date Changed
May
23: Murphy
Opts Not to Change Plea, his sentencing has been scheduled for June
3rd.
Shaun Murphy
Pleads Guilty plea 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.
2001 News Archives
Message Gabi Clayton,
Families United Against Hate & Pauline Mitchell
Vigil and Related News
Articles
Candlelight Vigils "Fighting Hate Through Love". San
Francisco.
The theme for the vigils was "Fighting Hate Through Love". Mothers aim is
to ensure their
Fred Martinez's Mom Speaks of
Son in Press Release
July 18, 2001: Pauline Mitchell, Fred Martinez Mother's
Statement to
the Press, Subject Her Son.
Shaun Murphy Appears in
Court.
July 14, 2001: Updated articles from July 10, 11 and
12th. Shaun Murphy's
court appearance, Connection with killer
of 3 family members
and Shaun's
GLADD Press Release and Montezuma
Sheriff Department
Release Summery of
Investigation
July 11,
2001:
GLADD Press Release, "Cortez Boy Likely
Killed Because of Hate"
Montezuma Sheriff, "Investigation Summery
Report"
Mom Says Suspect Cried About Teens Death
and This Was Not a Hate
Crime.
July 8, 2001: Police continuing to investigate
if, Martinez's
murder
was
motivated by race or sexual orientation. The Murder
Suspect 18 year old
Shaun Murphy, mother speaks
out on her sons remarks and reaction upon
learning of Fred's death. She said he first
learned that Fred died while he
was watching television and became so upset her
started to cry. She insists
the killing was not a hate
crime.
Denver Post
July 8th. "Murder Suspect Cried, Mom Says".
365Gay.Com
July 8th. "Murder Not a Hate Crime, Mother
Says".
Arrest Made in Gay Teens
Murder
July 6, 2001: Cortez, Colorado. Police made arrest of suspect in the murder
of a 16 year old Cortez High School Student.
Fred Martinez Jr.
killed by blunt
force trauma to head two weeks
ago. Fred was openly
gay and harassed police,
investigating whether this is a Hate
Crime.
The
Cortez Journal &
Rocky Mountain News Articles
July 5th. "New Leads In Murder".
July 6th. "Suspect Arrested in
Cortez
Killing".
Cortez Journal and Durango
Herald Articles. June 28 ~July
3:
June 25th. "Homosexuality Possible Motive in
Killing"
June 30th. "Investigation Intensifies in Murder
Case".
June 30th. "Martinez Harassed in School".
June 30th. "No Arrest Imminent in Teen
Murder".
July 3rd. "Three Suspects Cleared in Cortez
Boy's Murder".
Rocky Mountain News
Articles. June 27~to~ 30:
June 27th. "Detectives Suspect Homicide in
Teen's Death".
June 28th. "Body Identified as Cortez Boy's; Slaying
Suspected".
June 30th. "Hate Crime Suspected in Gay Teen's
Death".
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