Sometime last year, I read about the murder of Sean William Kennedy. A 20 year old living in South Carolina, Sean was murdered because he was gay. At the time, I remember thinking what a senseless tragedy it was and how the perpetrator, himself just a teenager, had thrown his life away. For I trusted justice would be done. And so, just as quickly as the story entered my life, it was forgotten.
Until today. Until tonight.
The outcome of this sordid tale has now come to my attention - an outcome which makes me white hot with rage.
The case received limited media attention from the start, with initial coverage primarily in the gay press. However, the events of Sean's attack were read into the Congressional record by Oregon Senator Gordon Smith on May 22, 2007 during debate of The Matthew Shepard Act. The Matthew Shepard Act would add sexual orientation to the federal classification of hate crimes. Below is a transcript of Senator's Smith's words.
Sen. Gordon Smith [R-OR]:
"Mr. President, I rise today to speak about the need for hate crimes legislation. Each Congress, Senator Kennedy and I introduce hate crimes legislation that would add new categories to current hate crimes law, sending a signal that violence of any kind is unacceptable in our society. Likewise, each Congress I have come to the floor to highlight a separate hate crime that has occurred in our country.
On May 18, 2007, in Greenville, SC, Sean Kennedy was beaten by an unnamed man which resulted in his death. Kennedy, a gay man, was punched in the face and knocked to the ground where he sustained injuries to his head. Kennedy died of his injuries later that night at a local hospital. The attacker was later brought into custody and charged with murder. Because Kennedy was attacked while leaving a gay bar and the attacker used anti-gay epithets, the Greenville County Sheriff turned the case over to the FBI for investigation as a hate crime.
I believe that the Government’s first duty is to defend its citizens, to defend them against the harms that come out of hate. The Matthew Shepard Act is a symbol that can become substance. I believe that by passing this legislation and changing current law, we can change hearts and minds as well."
Sean's mother, Elke Kennedy, also describes the events of that night at a website devoted to her son, www.seanslastwish.org.
On May 16, 2007, at about 3:45 am, Sean was leaving a local bar in Greenville when a car pulled up beside him, a young man got out of the car, came around the car approached my son and called him fagot and then punched him so hard that it broke his face bones, he fell back and hit the asphalt. This resulted in his brain to be separated from his brain stem and ricochet in his head. Sean never had a chance. Sean’s killer got back into the car and left my son dying there.
A little later he left a message on one of the girl’s phone, who knew Sean saying: "You tell your fagot friend that when he wakes up he owes me $500 for my broken hand".
And yet, the grand jury impaneled found "no malicious intent." The prosecutor then offered a plea bargin to involuntary manslaughter. The judge in the case didn't even listen to the voice mail prior to sentencing. Three strikes... and Lady Justice was out.
The result?
On June 11, 2008, the defendant, Stephen Moller, was sentenced to a 5 year sentence, suspended to 3, with 3 years probation. Moller is eligible for parole in 10 months. Moller was also sentenced to 30 days community service, ordered to take anger management classes and ordered to receive alcohol and drug counseling.
Anger management classes... for MURDER.
Oh Carolina!
And all this occurred prior to the recent uproar over a European tourism ad, commissioned by the state tourism board, which touted "South Carolina Is So Gay" in London Tube stations.
South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford called the ad "inappropriate." State legislators were outraged. The state employee who approved the ad campaign was forced to resign. Evidently, they were afraid an army of European gays might invade their state, bringing along trendy fashion accessories and Ani DiFranco CD's.
But if South Carolina really wants to make sure no gay tourists visit their state, might I suggest a new ad campaign:
South Carolina Is So Anti-Gay - We'll Let Residents Murder Ya and All The Perps Will Get Is A Slap On The Wrist!
Which is why Congress must pass the Matthew Shepard Act. Much like during the Civil Rights Era, the judicial systems of states like South Carolina simply can not be trusted to carry out justice in cases such as this. The federal government must be given jurisdiction.
The murder of Sean William Kennedy is an appalling miscarriage of justice that should shame all Americans.
Congress - Pass the Matthew Shephard Act.
More info on this case can be read at:
Greenville Online
UPDATE: As I wrote in the comments, the title is aimed at a state government which would object with outrage to a gay tourism ad, but react with silence to this gross miscarriage of justice. I am not condemning the entire state, but rather, the government which allowed this to happen.