GUILTY! We have a verdict in the Angie Zapata Hate Crime Murder Trial: GUILTY!

Fingers crossed; breath held.

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 15:59:04 PM CDT

I can't believe a verdict

would be this quick.  This cannot be good (speaking as a four time juror.)

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by: BB @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:05:41 PM CDT

Yes very fast...sometimes justice is.

Guilty on first 4 counts.
Life without parole is not official but is required due to the guilty findings.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:07:43 PM CDT

GULTY - first degree murder

Guilty verdict on 1st degree murder. #zapata

Guilty on vehicle theft (count 3) and identiy theft. (count 4) #zapata

Guilty on count two on bias motivated crime.

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:08:28 PM CDT

DAMN SKIPPY!!!!

May the son of a bitch rot in prison. With any luck he may have a boyfriend waiting just for him.

Typical Railroader-Tired, Broke, Hungry, Sick, and Mad

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by: labrat78 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:13:41 PM CDT

<sarcasm>Yes, because rape jokes are funny.</sarcasm>

I get that people are excited about the verdict, and think Andrade either is "evil" or did an evil thing, but making jokes about rape isn't funny, ever, even when the purported victim is male.

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by: LauraG @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:55:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

True Punishment

Will be in 20 or 30 years, when Andrade wakes up, say on a random Wednesday morning, and realizes that an entire life - wife, children, home, vacations, love, fun, boredom - was his to take, but he threw it away because of senseless and useless hate. And he will then realize that he has 20 or 30 or 40 more years of waking up and being hit in the face with that same realization - that all of this could have been avoided if he had acted like a real man, and not a weak little boy. I cannot imagine anything worse than that, even death.  

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by: CPT_Doom @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:36:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

unlike most of the readers of the Blend

convicted murderers can get married....I can't anymore in my own state.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:55:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sad but true.

:(

Dena

Cisgender. Because "Genetic" is so 2006.

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by: Denabeth @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:13:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

This is just one of the reasons I am against the death penalty,

  My main reason I am against the death penalty is I don't believe a human has the right to take another humans life, except in self defense and even then I would be skeptical.

 I hope Allen Ray Andrade sits there and relives the events that took away his freedom.  I also hope that he finds remorse but that is doubtful.  Every day he wakes up he will be reminded of what he did to Angie Zapata, every night he will be as well.

 He took the life of Angie Zapata away from her, her family and the rest of us.  I am thankful he is in a place where taking another life away is quite difficult which is where people like Allen Andrade belong.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:49:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You want the Bad News?

The killer is a member of a homophobic gang. He will go straight into the "protected unit" to stop him from being killed.

In the "protected unit" are all the vulnerable prisoners. Informants. And transgendered women who are pre-op.

He'll have his choice of prey there. Guys like him are the rapists, not the victims of prison rape.

There is no situation so complex it can't get even worse

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by: ZoeB @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 22:40:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

crying...

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:13:46 PM CDT

Me too...

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by: Mireille @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:59:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good news of justice.

It won't bring her back, but I'm glad to see justice served.

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by: ElsieElsie @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:17:59 PM CDT

Well, good.

The jury soundly rejected the odious defense put forward by Andrade's legal team.  That's encouraging.

I wonder if Wildmon, LaBarbera, et al. think Andrade's been unconstitutionally deprived of his freedom of religion?  If they're principled and intellectually consistent, they must. I'd like to hear them say so publicly, for honesty's sake.

"Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" -- Iowa state motto

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by: Sportin' Life @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:18:27 PM CDT

Just you wait.

Wackos like them will spin the "bias motivated crime count"
into the "hate crime laws = special rights" argument.

:(

Dena


Cisgender. Because "Genetic" is so 2006.

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by: Denabeth @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:26:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you, Autumn

For kick-ass reporting on this landmark trial. To have someone from the community on the ground covering this made all the difference in the world.  

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by: Pam Spaulding @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:22:56 PM CDT

Agreed.

Autumn's reporting was not only spectacularly impressive, but I'd imagine it came with a deep personal cost as well.  My hat's off to you Autumn.

*bows in Autumn's direction*

As for Andrade, he still hasn't got what he deserves.  But life without parole will be a darn good start.

Be sure to see what we've got to say over on http://www.bilerico.com

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by: bilerico @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:55:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I agree

that Andrade didn't get what he really deserved, may he always have to watch is back side in his new home.

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by: michelleny914 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:07:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What, exactly, did he deserve?

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:48:38 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Nerd Alert!

There was a Star Trek Voyager episode where one of the characters was wrongly convicted of murder, and the sentence was to relive the victim's last moments. That sounds suitable to me.

____________________________________
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.

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by: tavdy79 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:58:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Voyager was terrible; punishment invalid.

Now, what about that one DS9 episode?

There was also an ep of the second Outer Limits that had convicts hooked up to a device that had sentence served in an instant (though it would feel like years), and the prison they inhabited was what they feared most about that institution.

The twist was that the guy who invented it was convicted of murder when someone died in it (that person fearing anarchy), only it turned out that he had sat down to test it's dealing with an innocent person and it had invented a crime.

It was a lot more subtle on the teevee. Well, as subtle as something like that can be.

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:17:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I prefer your solution

Actually I would take that over Death.

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by: michelleny914 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:18:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not so sure I agree.

The idea of being dead I can cope with, It's the process of dying that freaks me out. Going through the process of dying repeatedly, periodically, for the rest of my life? Ummm, non merci - je voudrais Madame Guillotine!

____________________________________
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.

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by: tavdy79 @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 10:19:18 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Death for himself?

After reading about the trial and hearing the many disgusting things he had said and done, I felt life in prison was not good enough. Death? I don't know. The sad thing is that, nothing will bring back Angie :(
P.S. In case you thought I meant something less than what he got. NO WAY.  

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by: michelleny914 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:16:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Why would I think that?

No one ever says what you did to mean that the sentence was overly harsh. Otherwise, you would say that.

Why does he deserve more? What is accomplished by the taking of his life?

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:25:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

WOW

While it won't bring Angie back this will send a message to @ssholes out there who think that we aren't human beings.  Thanks Autumn for covering this.  I've been reading your postings and can't imagine what the feelings you're having.

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by: BB @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:23:31 PM CDT

Allen Ray Zapata?

Yay for Justice, boo for typos!  It's understandable, what with all the elation.

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by: PunkZanyJ @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:26:31 PM CDT

typo fixed.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:31:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

BIG HUG TO AUTUMN

I cannot IMAGINE how much the entire process of covering this story has affected you.   Crying.

Not all of us are able to do the kind of work you are doing, so a sincere, heart-felt THANK YOU.

Now for heaven's sake, PLEASE treat yourself to some SERIOUS "me" time.    You NEED to rejuvenate.

XXXOOOXXXOOO

Decades more of abuse? - OR - Stonewall.  Nationwide.  NOW!

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by: John Bisceglia @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:28:27 PM CDT

Second That

There is no situation so complex it can't get even worse

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by: ZoeB @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 22:42:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you, Autumn

You've gone through hell during this trial and reported so well and so thoroughly. Pam is right; having you there made all the difference. Thank you thank you thank you.

Lots of love to Angie's family and friends. To all our T brothers and sisters, in Greeley and everywhere, we love you and stand with you.

As a paralegal and an activist, I am ecstatic at this ruling. It sets a precedent against "panic" defenses that will reverberate for YEARS. What a day for our community, hearing a jury say that our lives are just as good as everyone else's. May Allen Andrade's life be long and penitent.

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:30:22 PM CDT

May Angie Rest

a little more peacefully now that her killer has been convicted, and may Zapata rot in jail for a very long and unhappy lifetime.

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by: Fiona @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:31:39 PM CDT

Way Cool,

  I was hoping for a fast verdict, but this was fast. And it is the only verdict that was deserved.

 Thank you Autumn for the excellent work.  I was planning on coming up to Greeley tomorrow for the reading of the verdict. and give you a Hugg.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:34:35 PM CDT

More sentencing tomorrow

Only top count today. Still stuff to cover tomorrow.

-----
~~Autumn~~

As if there were safety in stupidity alone.
--Henry David Thoreau

---

by: Autumn Sandeen @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:40:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And you're doing a great job Autumn!

>^..^<

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by: KatRose @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:42:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

DITTO

We love you. Please let your colleagues out there know the reaction here, and give them our love and gratitude.  

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:49:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Cool, then I will come up there then,

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:57:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

To Autumn

I want also thank you for covering this trial. As you stated in a few blog post I know it was not easy for you to do this. I believe you did a great job. Thanks.
I would also like to send out my blessings to Zapata's family and friends. They went through a LOT from the defense attorneys while they testified (SHAME on them, the attorneys that is). I hope that you all can find some peace with this verdict.
Michelle

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by: michelleny914 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:05:13 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Whew.

My overwhelming feeling is relief.  I hope this helps Angie's family find some peace.

And adding to those above who said:  your reporting has been impressive, Autumn.  Great, great job.

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by: BoringPostcards @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:38:12 PM CDT

Yikes

I go next door for an hour to visit a sick neighbor (heart attack last week; he's doing better), and I miss everything.

I have to admit I'm a bit stunned.  I was really beginning to worry that all of the trans-erasive theatrics of the defense attorney were going to pay off.  (And in all seriousness, I think someone should file an ethics complaint against her.  I do think she went over the line - far beyond zealous defense.)

Still - regarding the issue at hand.  My best goes out to Angie's family.  I know this won't bring her back, but, assuming the inevitable appeal fails, this is probably the best that the justice system had to offer - and it is miles better than so many families of so many murdered trans people were able to get from the justice system.

>^..^<

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by: KatRose @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:41:18 PM CDT

I disagree on the ethics complaint

(even though I hate the things that both defense attorneys said and did) but, if you want to pursue it, you can be that "someone" and file the complaint yourself.  I'm sure you don't have to live in Colorado to file a complaint with the Bar Association.

As for the appeal, that's what I do for a living.  Obviously, I haven't seen all the pleadings or read the trial transcripts yet, but I did follow this trial closely.  Based on what I know, I'd say that the chance of reversal on appeal is slim to none.

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by: Abby @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:50:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

From what I watched and listened too,

  I didn't see anything to appeal the case on either.  IMHO though, the decision to refer to her in the male form ruined any defense they could have come up with. And then the piling on during the final argument removed any slight doubt that might have been there with the jury.  

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:03:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Huge "thank you" to Autumn

There are no words for how brave you are for being at this trial and keeping us all posted - I can't imagine having to sit in the same room as that murdering filth.  

Much Aloha to the Zapata family - it is unspeakably sad that they lost Angie, but I hope that the knowledge that justice was served, that a jury of white middle-class heterosexuals believed Angie deserved justice, will bring them some small measure of comfort.  

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by: Naphtali @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:45:31 PM CDT

A Goldwater Verdict

I''m watching Hardball right now and they just ran part of Barry Goldwater's acceptance speech at the 1964 Republican convention.

The best known line from that speech is, of course, "extremism in defense of liberty is no vice."

Here's one, though, I'd forgotten about:  "moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue."

A moderate verdict today would, to say the least, have been no virtue.

Good job, jurors.

Good job, prosecutors.

Rest in peace, Angie.

>^..^<

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by: KatRose @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:49:20 PM CDT

Sometimes, justice IS swift.

Thank you Autumn for the superb coverage. Give my best to Angie's family if you can.

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:53:02 PM CDT

Fantastic verdict!

I always tend to expect the worst in these cases where the defense raises the gay- or trans-panic defense.  But it's starting to look like fewer and fewer juries are willing to buy it.

This verdict, I'm sure, will be looked back on as a kind of landmark.  And we should all be terribly proud that Autumn has been part of it, not merely to report for us but to establish a "watchdog" presence.

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 16:59:22 PM CDT

It is a landmark,

first transgender hate crime case.  Hopefully it sets a Don't slime and smear the victim landmark.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:05:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Slime and smear

As I noted in an earlier comment, sliming and smearing the victim is a time-honored, tried-and-true defense tactic.  It's at least as old as the British and American court systems.  The difference now is that emphasizing the victim's LGBT status is not being viewed as a negative by as many juries as it used to be.  

I can't imagine the sliming and smearing will stop, but as word about this case and others makes its way through the legal community, fewer and fewer defense lawyers will be willing to risk a panic defense.  Once it's established as a losing defense, why would they?  A great many lawyers see this all as a big, collegial game, and they'll do what they need to do to win.  Winning furthers their careers and brings in bigger bucks.  A lot of them are cruds, but they're not stupid.  

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

---

by: QScribe @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:27:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Depending on the state

In the future, if murders or assaults are tried as hate crimes in states outside Colorado with hate crime statutes, and are defended with "panic" defenses, this case will stand as secondary authority to render them moot. However, it will depend heavily on (1) the wording of the individual state's criminal code and hate crime statutes and (2) other evidence in the case. Here the prosecution was lucky in that there was plenty of evidence from Andrade's own mouth to establish bias both before and after Angie's murder. Other murderers/batterers may not be as dumb as Andrade and incriminate themselves so easily.

And we won't even have a chance for this at a federal court level until the Matthew Shepard Act passes.

Still, this is a landmark case. The murder of a transgender person was tried as a hate crime and murder in the first degree...and was found to be so by the jury.

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:55:59 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A step and a platform

I understand that there will be future injustices, but it seems like this helps strengthen the foundation for future justices, as well as being right for this victim here.

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by: Cericonversion @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:07:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"fewer and fewer juries are willing to buy it"

I think you're right, and I'm glad for it.

And great work Autumn.

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by: Jake Gellar-Goad @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:35:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you, Autumn

I want to echo all the other expressions of thanks for everything you've done, Autumn.  Parts of this experience were very painful for you, and I thank you for sharing that pain with us as well.  

It is nice to be able to feel at peace with a verdict instead of rage.  

Please pamper yourself this evening.  

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by: Mike in Texas @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:24:35 PM CDT

Hopefully now

her family will be able to move on.

Great job on reporting all this Autumn.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:31:42 PM CDT

Thank God

I watched the entire trial.  Thank God that scuzzy excuse for a man was convicted of this senseless murder.

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by: EnoughNonSense @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:35:26 PM CDT

what he deserves

he won't get.  The electric chair or a noose.

But, how about tattooing a pink dildo on his forhead and throwing him in with a bunch of Bubba's??

Make him Bubba's bitch.  

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by: Dee-1961 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:53:14 PM CDT

What the fuck is WRONG with some people???

Rape is neither a joking matter nor an acceptable form of punishment. For anything. Anywhere. PERIOD.

susanferman.wordpress.com

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by: Susan_F @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:06:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

but why?

Why should that piece of sub human shit, Andrade, get any considerate treatment?  Why treat IT like a human being.

That's right.  IT..  Let's call IT what it is, IT.

It's not human, it's a piece of shIT.

Rot in prison Andrade and enjoy your future as someone's BITCH.

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by: Dee-1961 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:13:29 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh that's real nice.

Stoop to his level.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:21:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

If I may register polite disagreement with one small thing...

I think the whole "if we do/not do [x] we're as bad as [y]!" argument is a very poor justification for action/inaction.

Can we just do something because it is right? Why the need for qualifying context?

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:52:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good point

though I didn't mean it quite that literally. What I meant was, by saying Andrade was deserving of such things, we were dehumanizing him, the same way we are all too often dehumanized.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:09:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Back at ya.

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

That statement always reminds me of how even allies say, "it doesn't matter who sleep with!" as if GLBT were about behavior and not identity.

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by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:33:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

And by dehumanising him,

we are also dehumanising ourselves.

---

by: rfloh @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 04:02:05 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Which of course

was precisely my original point.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 07:03:37 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Fuck you.

For the record, I'm being metaphorical.

He doesn't deserve that because no one does.

"Justice" is NOT spelled r-e-v-e-n-g-e.

---

by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:22:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Rape is not funny

Rape is not a joke. Rape is not an apt punishment. Rape is not justice.

Rape is a fucking horrible, soul-rending crime that should never happen to anyone. Not even to convicted murderers. We are better than to suggest that even the likes of Allen Andrade deserve it.

Allen Andrade was convicted and will be punished to the full extent of the law. Rape jokes do not enter into that.

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

---

by: Keori @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:31:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It's not a matter of "consideration", its called human rights

Whether YOU think he is human or not.

Did it cross your mind for one second that your comment was not only offensive, but that you might be upsetting some of the rape survivors who happen across your post?

Try thinking before typing.

[And you call other people dumb asses?]

susanferman.wordpress.com

---

by: Susan_F @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:37:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

As a rape survivor

Even scum like Allen Ray Andrade do not deserve such a fate.

In other words, let's not sink to his level.

Please.

Dena
 

Cisgender. Because "Genetic" is so 2006.

---

by: Denabeth @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:48:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Why are there always comments like this?

So you think that gay sexuality is a punishment that villains deserve?  (And that's to say nothing about your delight in rape.)

If being exposed to gay sexuality is a punishment,then the ex-gay movement has a valid point, and we should all be embracing it.


The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

---

by: QScribe @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:15:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

what does rape...

Have to do with "gay sexuality"?

rape is NOT sex.  It is an assault.

rape has about as much to do with gay sexuality as being smacked with an ice cream scoop has to do with cows.

---

by: PunkZanyJ @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:26:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Prison rape

DOES have a homosexual component to it if only because prison is a homosocial environment.

The implication of "I hope he gets raped" aside from the horror of rape is that gay sex is a punishment.

---

by: Bachalon @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:38:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, rape is an assault.

But it is a sexual assault.  Pretending that abusive sexuality is not part and parcel of the crime is missing a large part of the point.  Part of what drives rapists is the desire to demean and humiliate their victims sexually.  A good friend of mine was raped by her ex-husband a few years ago, and what happened was clearly (in her mind as well as mine) an attempt by him to force his sexual will on her, to dominate her sexually and "keep her in her place."  If we adopt the view that rape is nothig more than assault, we place it in the same category if misdemeanor as a punch in the nose.  Who would want to see that?

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

---

by: QScribe @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 10:49:15 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank goodness justice prevailed.

I hope justice also prevails in the sentencing phase.

I don't know what sentence is desired by Angie's family, but I can hope for life without chance of parole; her murderer needs to be separated from society permanently.

---

by: Storm @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 17:56:57 PM CDT

Life without parole

Sentenced about an hour ago.

susanferman.wordpress.com

---

by: Susan_F @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:08:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Amen!

Wonderful news and bittersweet. Thanks Autumn for your coverage. I can't imagine what an emotional journey this was for you.  

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by: brotha99 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:00:11 PM CDT

Autumn,

You are a paladin in my book.

Big hugs,

Denabeth

Cisgender. Because "Genetic" is so 2006.

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by: Denabeth @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:03:30 PM CDT

Finally, a bit of justice

I'm frankly amazed & thrilled that we got this verdict, this fast. Hopefully trans lives will start to be valued, both legally & societally, like those of other folks.

And maybe, just maybe, we can advance the points that gender isn't all between one's legs, and that if you're attracted to a person, you're attracted to a person, the sexual orientation & gender identity of anyone involved notwithstanding. Trans folk aren't "tricking" anyone; the "panic" dfense is based on a bullshit assumption.

Angie's family was the kind of loving & supportive that many transfolks can only wish their own families were. I'm sure I'm not alone in sending them my heartfelt love & sympathy.

You done good, Autumn. I hope you have someone close by who can help you baby yourself a bit. You more than deserve it.

---

by: hardcorps80204 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:19:45 PM CDT

Amazing!

I was really hoping for a conviction on the 1st degree charge, and half thought that he'd get away with a reduced charge.  
I'm relieved the jury saw through the panic defense.  I think the phone calls said a lot about Andrade's state of mind.  He didn't seem remorseful, or sorry about what he did.  The word 'gleeful' comes to mind, though.  

I second (or third, or fourth) all the comments about Autumn's fortitude to stick with it.  I followed along with the CNN stream, and found a few parts of the testimony unbearable.  Kudos to Autumn for a job really well done!  
I also think that Sharon Dunn, the reporter from the Greeley Tribune, did a great job tweeting and reporting.  Very professional.  

My gut reaction is to agree with everyone who thinks that Andrade isn't getting what he deserves, but ultimately I side with those who say that rape is never an acceptable punishment for anything.  Whatever else, I would never want to stoop to that level.  

At some point, I hope Andrade realizes just what he did, and how he's ruined his life and countless others because of it.  I hope that he can leave his hate behind.  

rest in peace, Angie.  

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by: Jessica_L @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 18:34:21 PM CDT

About frakkin' time

May Andrade have a long and miserable life behind bars.

RIP Angie.

Thanks Autumn for the kick-ass reporting.

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by: LenaD @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:18:09 PM CDT

Justice

I hope this verdict gives comfort to those who loved Angie.

Thank you, Autumn, for your reporting on this historic trial.

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by: TeddySanFran @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:28:50 PM CDT

Thank you, Autumn

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your hard work.  My prayers and thoughts are also with you tonight.  As others have said, please tend to your own spirit this evening.  

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by: liturgygeek @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:40:53 PM CDT

I'm not happy about this.

We can never punish Andrade enough to make up for this crime.  While this verdict mitigates my sorrow slightly it can never bring Angie back.  At leas the right thing was done in a horrible circumstance.

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by: Priya Lynn @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 19:42:02 PM CDT

Autumn

We had just evacuated the Augusta Civic Center for a fire alarm at 5pm (non-event; burned popcorn at the concession set it off) and I called Charlie to let him know "all is well" in case he heard anything about the fire alarm.

He told ME that the jury came back with "guilty, murder 1"- I told DawninMaine and we had our own big hugs celebration for you, Angie's family/friends and everyone at the Blend, then started telling people coming back into the auditorium.

YOU CANNOT IMAGINE HOW HAPPY ALL OF US WERE. On top of what was already turning out to be a tremendously successful and supportive day, the news that something CORRECT had happened for our community was beyond description.

Dear lady, I have cried alot today- the testimonies were so overwhelming at different points. But when I heard this news, all I could do was cry and think of you...

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by: Louise @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 20:20:28 PM CDT

Justice

means Andrade sits and stares at a wall for the next 40-50 years and contemplates how he threw his life away for one night of hate and murder. May his dreams be filled with flashbacks.

Juries aren't buying this lame excuse for murder anymore. Angie Zapata's death goes down as a great turning point in history. May that be her legacy -- it's the least society could offer in exchange.

And having read Autumn's coverage here and interviews on Signorile's show, all I have to say is: you rock!

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by: kegbot1 @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 20:32:25 PM CDT

A Landmark Ruling AND Landmark Reporting

I'd like to congratulate Autumn for her hard work reporting on this case, and marvel at how far the public has come in terms of cultural awareness, thanks to the advent of new media.
I remember the very similar Gwen Araujo murder case here in the San Francisco Bay area, and it was painful to see the mainstream media fumble the reporting so badly in regards to pronouns, identity and pretty much everything else. Evolution took a long time in that case.  I can see how far we've come in just six years, with all the new media helping to hold old media's feet to the fire. I believe Autumn's blogging and tweeting helped raise the bar all around.

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by: Evelyn @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 20:39:04 PM CDT

Finally! A sentence that fits the crime

For far too long, trans-people have been as disposable in the court room as their rights are in legislative meetings. Killing us goes largely unnoticed and barely punished.

Not this day.
A legislative victory and justice in the case of a sister.
No justice for her; nothing can restore a life cut violently short.
It is justice for all of the rest of us who are the tiniest bit safer tonight because, for once, murdering one of our family is not excused and condoned with a wrist slap sentence.

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by: CailleanMcM @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 22:27:04 PM CDT

Rest in Peace, Angie Zapata

Justice is done.  I hope her family can rebuild quickly now that their daughter and sister, has been served with justice instead of travesty.

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by: Emelye Waldherr @ Wed Apr 22, 2009 at 22:49:53 PM CDT

I am speechless

There are no words that exist to truly express my overwhelming Joy about what happened in that Greeley, CO Court Room today.

This is a great day for the LGBT Community for we all got to see that Justice, real Justice, is obtainable in a crime as sad, brutal and tragic as this.

Rest in Peace Angie.  You were so beautiful in life, You must be breathtaking with your Angel Wings.

Besser ein ende mit Schrecken als ein Schrecken ohne ende

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by: becca @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 01:11:33 AM CDT

Tears to my eyes

I'm relieved that the jury served the cause of justice. We can create meaning out of senseless violence and the jury did so by weighing the facts of the case and rejecting the trans/gay panic defense.

I send my thoughts and prayers to Angie's family as they continue to grieve their loss.

I'm grateful to Autumn for her courageous reporting.  

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by: GreenMan @ Thu Apr 23, 2009 at 11:55:28 AM CDT