Closing arguments in transgender case postponed

Closing arguments in transgender case postponed

The Associated Press
(Sacramento Bee)
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/13461901p-14302899c.html

HAYWARD, Calif. (AP) - Closing arguments in the trial of three
men accused of killing a transgender teen were postponed until
Wednesday.

Prosecution arguments set to begin Tuesday were put off because
one of the defense attorneys was unable to attend court, a court
clerk said.

Michael Magidson, Jason Cazares and Jose Merel, all 25, face
first-degree murder charges in the October 2002 death of
17-year-old Gwen Araujo.

Prosecutors say the killing was committed in revenge after
discovering the pretty teenager two of them had sexual
encounters with was biologically male. Araujo was born a boy
named Edward but grew up to believe her true identity was as a
girl.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to hate-crime and
murder charges.


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