News & Features - Florida killer's sentencing set for Dec. 9

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Florida killer's sentencing set for Dec. 9

ORLANDO, Fla. (UPI) -- A Florida judge has scheduled a Dec. 9 sentencing hearing for the second defendant convicted in the 2007 murder of a homosexual man, Ryan Skipper.

William Brown was convicted of murder and robbery Tuesday by a Polk County jury and faces a possible life sentence.

Skipper's death became a rallying cry for supporters of hate-crime protections for homosexuals in Florida, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel said Wednesday. "Today's verdict concludes the final trial of Ryan's two attackers, but it does not end the epidemic of anti-gay hate violence in Florida," said Brian Winfield, spokesman for Equality Florida.

Brown will likely join co-defendant Joseph Bearden in prison. Bearden was sentenced to life after being convicted if second-degree murder in February.

The pair had been arrested in 2007 for what authorities portrayed as a hate crime based on Skipper's sexual orientation. The Sentinel said Skipper's homosexuality did not play a part in Brown's trial.

The defense contended that Brown and Skipper lived near each other and Brown considered Skipper to be a friend.

Copyright 2009 by United Press International

This news arrived on: 11/04/2009

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Posted Comments:

11-04-2009 22:25

usaces wrote:

William Brown Murderer

Is a persons being murdered equaled to the murderer being put in prison for life.

I DO NOT THINK SO.

Why put the burden of paying for room and board, medical and all of the amenities he will be given for the rest of his life while in prison on the tax payers of the state?

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11-04-2009 17:24

bj wrote:

Murder

I would think that willful murder would always be a hate crime. Of course, I am sure the I love you, I must kill you and the kids baby daddy comes under the same heading, no matter what they say.

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11-04-2009 16:28

wrote:

killer

just fry him dont feed him for life

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