Suspect Arrested In Gay Hate Murder Of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado
Posted: 17th Nov 2009 Author: Michelle Penny Topics: News
A suspect has been arrested in conjunction with the murder of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado, a 19 year old gay man who was found burnt, decapitated and dismembered on a roadside in Cayey, Puerto Rico. Aged 26, the suspect apparently put up little resistance when arrested by the officers, who have also seized two cars that they are now searching for evidence in relation to the case.
As Queeried reported yesterday the death of the Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado has rocked the LGBT community in Puerto Rico, who on top of being deeply saddened, were also upset that the murder was not likely to be classified as a hate crime seeing that no murder has ever been classified as such in the past. There is however a glimmer of hope as it does appeat due to their protests, and the exposure the murder has got, the case could be seen as such, something which would see Puerto Rico comply with the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, an American federal law recently passed by President Obama which pushes for increased penalties concerning hate motivated crimes due to disability, sexuality or gender identity
The police investigator who made the comment that Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado deserved it ”because people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen” is still working on the case but is facing mounting pressure from LGBT groups for him to be fired from his position.
(Via Care2)
