Araujo Murder Witness Called Liar & Deceitful

Araujo Murder Witness Called Liar & Deceitful
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: April 28, 2004 12:01.m. ET

(Hayward, California) The key witness to the killing of transgendered teen Gwen Araujo was subjected to intense grilling Tuesday by the attorney for one of the three men accused of her murder.

Defense lawyer Tony Serra attacked Jaron Nabors to destroy his credibility calling him "nothing more than a self-serving, fork-tongued traitor" who's trying to justify a deal for a reduced prison sentence.

Nabors pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for testimony against his three friends.

Michael Magidson, 23, Jose Merel, 24, and Jason Cazares, also 24 are charged with murder with a hate crime enhancement.

Araujo was murdered in October 2002 after the men, two of whom had had sex with the 17 year old, began to question whether she might be biologically male.

After their suspicions were confirmed, Araujo was beaten, battered with a shovel and then strangled to death. Her body was found in a shallow grave several days later.

Serra accused Nabors of saying anything to get himself out of the murder charge. "I've never been so scared as I've been in prison," Nabors replied. "I'm telling the truth."

But, outside the court Serra's attack continued.

"I've never had a witness in my life who would admit that he had a character flaw for dishonesty and lying, and that's what we heard from Mr. Nabors this afternoon," Serra told reporters.

"I expect that the jury won't believe a word that he has to say by the time we're finished with him."

Serra said he expected the cross examination to last at least another eight hours.

In earlier testimony (story) Nabors said Merel seemed particularly angry that Araujo could be male, asking, "Do you want to be gay?"

Nabors said that Merel beat Araujo with a frying pan, Magidson kneed her in the face, and Cazares fetched shovels for the burial.

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