The verdict is in on the long-awaited trial of an alleged gay bashing that occurred outside Blow Pony back in April 2009.
I detailed the whole story in court yesterday. Local DJ and queer activist Airick Heater pressed charges against alleged basher Blake McCune, who was on trial for two crimes: intimidating someone because of their sexual orientation and interfering with a police report, for slapping a cell phone out of Heater’s hand as he tried to call 911
This morning the jury determined that McCune was guilty of interfering with a police report. But they determined he was not guilty of intimidation for calling Heater a “fag” and allegedly punching him in the face.
The not guilty is probably a result of the seriously conflicting stories witnesses told yesterday about the incident. Two witnesses (who are McCune’s friends) told the jury that no one was shouting gay slurs during the incident, as Heater alleged, and that no one was punched in the face. A prosecution witness (who was friends with neither side) said he definitely saw McCune punch Heater in the face, but could not speak to hearing any of the gay slurs.
Update 2:21pm— For the crime of interfering with a police report, McCune received 18 months probation and 80 hours of community service. His lawyer, Troy Pickard, says McCune plans to do the community service with some type of GLBT advocacy group.
I had a recent jury duty experience that resulted in a Not Guilty verdict, even though we all knew in our hearts the defendant was guilty. Sometimes the prosecution puts up a weak case, and the jury has no choice but to proceed with an unsatisfying verdict. It’s a terrible experience.
In this case, the prosecution had a year-and-a-half to prepare for the trial.
The Oregonian’s take on the story had a hilarious little sideline about how the whole thing started because McCune asked a bunch of guys outside the club for a cigarette, and they told him to leave. He then told them that they “didn’t need to be so rude.”
I’d love to know what actually happened.
You have Kobe Bryant shouting out the word Faggot…then again with the jets guy and David Tyree speaking out against Gay Marriage…and of course you have Tracey Morgan being downright hateful against gays and there are no ramifications. Even the sight of Weiner’s Weiner has brought down a Congressman. Are people that afraid of Gays in this day and age? Well Marc Freden, too, has been given pause with the issue. As a gay man, even he feels the need to apologize for the blatant use of the word “Faggot” in his new book “REALLY!?!” Now Freden using the “F” word should get a tacit pass…much like black people using the “N” word to describe themselves. His harmless use of the word…(And you must read the book to understand) has lead him to a video mea culpa on YouTube “Marc Freden Must Apologize to the Gay Community”. Furthermore, Freden has pledged that if Kobe Bryant can be fined $50,000 then he too should pay a price. A percentage of every book sold as a result of his apology will go to the Trevor Project – a gay hotline for distressed teens looking for a voice of calm and understanding. It is the least he can do. Who will join Freden in this cause?