Joe “Smiley” Bearden, one of two men accused of killing Ryan Skipper, a gay student, was found guilty of second degree murder today in a courtroom in Bartow, Florida. After deliberating for two days, the jury also found him guilty of grand theft of an automobille, tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and accessory to robbery after the fact.
The second defendant, William “Bill Bill” Brown, faces trial on similar charges. His trial is expected to take place in the fall of 2009.
Coverage of the verdict:
- Lakeland Ledger: Bearden Sentenced to Life in Prison
- Towleroad: Killer of Florida Gay Man Ryan Skipper Found Guilty on All Counts
- Equality Florida: Ryan Skipper’s Killer Found Guilty
- 365 GAy: Life Sentence for murder of Ryan Skipper
Connect:
I have wondered why the press would even mention the fact that Skipper was gay. This had no bearing on guilt or innocence of murder. It was only “assumed” by the press that this is one reason Skipper was targeted.
I hope you did not add any further pain to Skipper’s family by reveling such information. How would you feel? Oh that’s right,, news is news at anyone’s expense.
Cheryl, Ryan’s sexual identity is an integral part of this story.
When Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd announced the details of Ryan’s murder two years ago, he said Ryan had met his murderers because he’d been trolling for sex, implying that Ryan had put himself at risk. He also accused Ryan of conspiring to forge checks with his accused killers. Neither of these allegations proved to be true. Sheriff Judd also took the highly unusual step of immediately releasing the murder victim’s juvenile arrest record. Ryan had had two minor pot busts when he was young.
Because of these smears, the national media moved on and never gave this story the coverage it demanded. A right-winger who touts his Christianity, Judd has never apologized to Ryan’s family for any of this.
But to your point, in the investigation, more than one witness told detectives that both accused murders, Joe Bearden and William Brown, made negative remarks about Ryan being gay on the night of the murder. At the outset, police described it as a gay hate crime.
Ryan was openly gay and had the complete support of his family and friends. Since his death, his mother, stepfather and brother have become closely allied with the gay community.
so much for all men created equal which is why some Repbulicans do not want hate crime laws. They say the constituion already gives equal rights..WRONG..people are still targeted based on race, gender, sexual indentity etc..and until it stops we need hate crime laws. I always wonder why people who can do these crimes still think they are better..yet they are the ones robbing and killing. I don’t get it.