Gwen Araujo Murder Retrial Begins

Araujo Retrial Begins
by The Associated Press

Posted: June 1, 2005 7:30 pm ET


(Hayward, California) The retrial of three men accused of murdering a transgender teenager opened Wednesday, with a prosecutor saying they made a "conscious, calculated decision" to kill the victim after finding out the pretty 17-year-old they partied with was biologically male.

"They summarily judged him to be guilty. They sentenced him to death and they carried out his punishment with precision and with zeal," said prosecutor Chris Lamiero.

On trial are Michael Magidson, Jose Merel and Jason Cazares, all 25.

The three are charged with killing Gwen Araujo. Araujo was born a boy named Edward but lived as a woman. A judge granted her family's request for posthumous name change.

Last year, a jury deadlocked in the first trial after defense attorneys argued the case was not murder but manslaughter, a crime committed in the heat of passion sparked by sexual deception. That defense angered Araujo's family and others, who called it blaming the victim.

Prosecutors say Araujo was beaten and strangled after her biological identity was revealed during a 2002 confrontation at Merel's house outside San Francisco.

Merel and Magidson had become suspicious of Araujo after having sexual encounters with her.

©Associated Press 2005