gwen araujo brother

[25] Jos Merl became concerned that Araujo was bleeding on the couch and ordered her off it. [75][76][77] The law limited the use by criminal defendants of the "gay/trans panic defense" by allowing parties to instruct jurors not to let bias influence their decisions, including "bias against the victim" based on his or her "gender identity, or sexual orientation". [61], Jos Merl was granted parole in 2016 with the support of Sylvia Guerrero. It was shocking, Guerrero said. San Mateo County could soon expand direct cash payments to some of its poorest residents, Pittsburg could soon see road and school crosswalk improvements, Opinion: What I learned about myself at the Richard Nixon Library, USC uses defense to upset No. [5] The party was also attended by the Merls' younger brother Emmanuel, Michael Magidson, Jaron Nabors, Jason Cazares, and Nicole Brown. At one point, he said, he saw Magidson choking Araujo and pulled Magidson's arm off the victim. During a police interrogation, Nabors went into detail about what happened and who was involved. Later, when asked why he hadn't done something more to push Araujo out of the doorway, Emmanuel Merel answered, "I gave in. Police arrested Jose Merel and Magidson, who was accused of strangling Araujo. As Judge Harry Sheppard instructed, the verdicts were kept secret. We still have a long way to go, because people like Gwen are still being murdered for whothey are and theresfamilies who are suffering like we are, said Guerrero, 52. Fred Phelps and the members of Phelps's Westboro Baptist Church ( who also made an appearance in our last article) promised to picket the funeral but thankfully did not. In this video, I explain my theory about what may have actually happened to lead up to Gwen's murder. To avoid a third trial, Cazares' lawyer reached an agreement with prosecutors for a manslaughter conviction. On October 4, 2002, four young men brutally murdered a beautiful, 17-year-old transgender teenager named Gwen Araujo. Araujo was killed at a house party 14 years ago . They had met her walking in the middle of the street, drinking a beer. July 4, 1999 At age 14, Eddie tells his mom. Some call her mom., She didnt die in vain. (AP Photo/Anda Chu, Pool) POOL PHOTO, Defendant Jose Merel listens to the testimony of his younger brother, Emmanuel Merel, during Jose Merel's murder trial in Alameda Superior Court on Thursday, April 21, 2004, in Hayward, Calif. Emmanuel Merel testified that he tried to push Eddie "Gwen" Araujo that he tried to push her out the door to safety in the chaos that followed the discovery that she was biologically male. Police began to interview the party-goers, and one of them led the police to the Merls' house. She was loving, vibrant, and beautiful. Stuff like that. According to court testimony, Araujo, who presented herself as Lida, engaged in sexual acts with Magidson and his friend, 22-year-old Jose Merel. Ill never forget the day Sylvia opened the door to her house, said Bernal, now a single mother of seven. [48] During his testimony, Nabors said he felt his friends had been raped, since Araujo (whom he referred to as male) "did not come clean with being what he really was. [6] Her parents divorced when she was 10 months old. They jury deadlocked once again on Cazares, but this time 9-3 in favor of a conviction. Publicity by transgender activists was credited with informing the public about the tactics the defense lawyers had adopted to blame Araujo for her own death, changing the approach to the case. In her third year of living as a woman, Araujo began hanging out with several men that she met in the late summer of 2002. The law requires that juries must be informed that they are forbidden from making decisions based on any victim's gender or sexual orientation. Jos Merl testified and admitted he was ignorant about his thinking about sexuality at the time of the murder. As they were burying her, the men continued to disparage her. Bevan Dufty is the lead organizer for Tuesdays event and has known Guerrero for years. He was awakened by loud voices and eventually emerged outside his room to observe a chaotic scene. [30] Later that morning, during a phone conversation, Brown asked Jos Merl what happened, to which he replied "Let's just say she had a long walk home. The jury is unable to reach a guilty verdict and the judge declares mistrial. Below, you'll find a timeline of how the life and death of Gwen unfolded. While Merl expressed deep sorrow and regret to Araujo's family, Magidson was angry about his verdict and expressed "no remorse" for his role in murdering Araujo, according to presiding Judge Harry Sheppard. The murder also brought disdain from far-right religious groups who condemned Araujo for living as a transgender woman. Gwens mother is one of the victims that transphobic violence leaves behind. [30] Cazares kicked her. Two of the men, Michael Magidson and Jose Merel were convicted of 2nd degree murder and face sentences of 15 years to life. She walked into the house with Araujo also became an inspiration in the transgender community. Araujo's remains are cremated. Emmanuel Merel testified he tried to get Araujo out of the house but was stopped by the other men. At the same time, Gwen's mother suffered from PTSD from the trial. Araujo surprised her with a strong blow during the fight, and Brown said the men "were tripping, because she was smaller than me and just as strong. Michael Magidson, 23, Jose Merel, 24, and Jason Cazares, 24, are on trial for murder in the killing of the 17-year-old Araujo. Guerrero has been unable to return to work and now shuffles her belongings from relatives' houses using a borrowed car from her friend. The presiding judge issued a gag order barring attorney from talking to the media. Nabors described how Araujo had locked lips with all four of the men that night to blow marijuana smoke into their mouths in what he described as a "power hit." Nabors testified that he stated he "couldn't believe that someone would ever do that, would be that deceitful" and that Jos Merl added "he was so mad he could still kick her a couple more times". he testified. Transgender activists educated the family about what it means to be transgender and the proper use of pronouns. The jury finds Michael Magidson and Jos Merl guilty of second-degree murder. [7], Araujo came out as transgender in 1999 at the age of 14, and began using the name Gwen after her favorite musician, Gwen Stefani, but also went by Wendy and Lida. Neither defendants was convicted of a hate crime. By early morning on Oct. 4, the men questioned Araujo and demanded to know if she is biologically male. "[15][24] Jos Merl became angry and struck her in the head with a can of food, denting the can and opening a cut on her head,[24] and then he struck her again with a frying pan. Guerrero also knew her daughter had a drinking problem and brought up rehab. All Rights Reserved. Momsespecially momsif they knew the factsyou'd be surprised. Prosecutors allege they beat and strangled Araujo, 17 -- who was born Edward Araujo but lived and identified as a young woman -- in the early morning hours of Oct. 4, 2002, before burying her body in the El Dorado National Forest in the Sierra foothills. Some of the trans people say they were thinking of committing suicide before seeing Gwens story. Magidson also testified and under cross-examination said he received oral sex from Araujo the night she was killed. Brandon, then 13, and Michael, then 10, lost their sister and in many ways, their mother. Gwen Araujo was a 17-year-old transgender teenager who lived in Newark, Calif. with her mother, Sylvia Guerrero. Four months later, the jury found Magidson and Merel guilty of second-degree murder. Theywere convicted at thesecond of two trials and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Guerrero is the mother of slain transgender teen Gwen Araujo, 17, of Newark. This is a carousel. Eddie then began transitioning as a woman and called herself Gwen, after her favorite singer Gwen Stefani.According to court testimony, Araujo, whom the men knew . Lopez stood next to her on a packed BART station escalator. California becomes the first state in the nation to ban a "trans panic" defense. Watch the ABC7 Originals documentary, "Being Gwen: A Life and Death Story," streaming now in the video player above and on the ABC Owned Television Stations' connected TV Apps: ABC7 Bay Area, ABC30 Central California, ABC7 Los Angeles, ABC7 New York, ABC7 Chicago, 6abc Philadelphia, ABC13 Houston, and ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Jaron Nabors pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter and agrees to testify against his three friends in exchange for an 11 year prison term. [10], The first trial began on April 14, 2004. When trans people are painted in negative, stigmatized portrayals by politicians and so-called legal experts as has happened with ongoing bathroom policy debates the trans community gets marked for ridicule and violence, she said. Over the next few hours, Araujo was punched and beaten as she tried repeatedly to escape the house. Sylvia honors Gwen, and transgender victims of hate crimes everywhere, by speaking out. [8], Araujo first met Michael Magidson, Jos Merl, Jaron Nabors, and Jason Cazares in late August or early September 2002. Nabors took the stand under tight security. A shrine to Gwen Araujo, who was murdered at age 17 in 2002 by four men who discovered she was transgender, rests in her mother's home in Tracy, Calif., on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022. Cazares and Nabors were also at the house, as was Paul Merl's girlfriend, Nicole Brown. The jury deadlocked 10-2 in favor of acquitting Cazares and Merel of first-degree murder. Magidson testified that Nabors admitted he had strangled Araujo. J. Tony Serra, Cazares' attorney, asked Emmanuel Merel why he had not called police the night of the attack. Gwen Araujo's murder brought about several changes in California law. Gwen Araujo is born to Sylvia Guerrero and Edward Araujo. Especially in today's society, she would have been rejected if not harmed had she been so open about it. And was stuck 10-2 in favor of acquitting Jos Merl and Jason Cazares of the same charge. "When Gwen was murdered that night, it was the beginning of a life sentence for me and my family," Guerrero told the publication. Analysts compared the strategy to the "gay panic" defense. [17] After half an hour, during which Jos Merl later confessed he had sex with Araujo, Brown went to the bathroom, where she discovered Araujo had male genitalia during a forced inspection. This is where I sleep now, she said, pointing to the bare floor of her sons living room. After the initial deluge of sympathy letters stopped arriving and donations dried up, Guerrero was left with an eviction notice, no source of income and unimaginable trauma. SFs most important stories, delivered straight to your inbox, Sylvia Guerrero, whose transgender daughter Gwen Araujo was murdered in 2002, sits for a portrait with a photo of her daughter on Saturday, Oct.1, 2022, in Tracy, Calif. Araujo, who spent a lot of time in San Francisco as a teenager, was beaten and strangled to death in Newark, Calif., when she was 17 years old. Nabors, testifying for the prosecution, stated that Magidson admitted to strangling Araujo. A few weeks later they also arrested Cazares. All Access Digital offer for just 99 cents! Loves to Read. For the uninitiated, Araujo was a 17-year-old trans woman from Newark, California. It's who she was. Did the men REALLY not know the truth about Gwen? Jose Merel hit her in the head with a frying pan and a can of soup. Cazares and Nabors have long been out of custody. TIMELINE: How the murder of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo unfolded. By this time, Araujo's mother was able to legally change her daughter's name to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo. The case was also the subject of a 2007 documentary, An episode of the Investigation Discovery channel series, This page was last edited on 13 January 2023, at 04:32. Magidson was called out for being unrepentant at his sentencing and still has not shown remorse, according to Guerrero. This is the life and death story of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo. Memorial for Gwen Araujo Gwen Araujo was mourned in a public funeral at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Newark on October 25, 2002. [13][14] She claimed to be menstruating and during sex would push her partners' hands away from her genitalia to prevent them from discovering that she had a penis. Jose Merel and Magidson had been sexually intimate with Araujo on other occasions. age: 17 yrs 7 mos 7 days ~~~ Edward Gwen Araujo, Jr. of Newark entered into rest Thursday, October 3, 2002. Only charge for Nabors. The jury deadlocked 7-5 in favor of convicting Magidson on a first-degree murder charge. Araujo was born with male genitalia but her immediate family noticed early on that she identified more easily with being a girl than a boy. Like the little flowers on the side of the freeway that no one notices. The men would later claim during the trial that they were driven to a fit of rage after learning that Gwen, who two of the men had slept with, was biologically male. Investigators got Nabors' friend to wear a wire and record Nabors talking about the murder. Her PTSD and memory problems leave her unable to return to her former career and force her to scrape by with help fromseveral crowdfunding campaigns, including a recent GoFundMe page. [46] Magidson's attorney said that his client was not biased[47] but had been shocked "beyond reason" to learn he had unwittingly had sex with a "man": a variant of the gay panic defense. "The first time I saw makeup smeared, I was yelling, 'What's wrong with you?'" [52] He asked the jury to return first-degree murder convictions of Magidson and Cazares, fingering Magidson as the main culprit who had strangled Araujo and calling him "a poor excuse for a man" with a "stupid and moronic" list of excuses for murdering her. [36], After he was arrested, Nabors wrote a letter to a girlfriend in which he stated the defendants had discussed a "Soprano-type plan" to "kill the b and get rid of her body". Where I sleep now, she said, pointing to the Merls ' house a chaotic scene also! So open about it they were burying her, the verdicts were kept secret the transgender community brought about changes... To disparage her Magidson on a first-degree murder mother is one of the that... Under cross-examination said he received oral sex from Araujo the night she was months... The next few hours, Araujo was killed at a house party 14 years.... Transgender teenager named Gwen Araujo, 17, of Newark pulled Magidson 's arm off the victim of.! Stopped by the other men ] Jos Merl and Jason Cazares of the street drinking... Born to Sylvia Guerrero deadlocked once again on Cazares, but this time Gwen... And still has not shown remorse, according to Guerrero then 10 lost! Araujo, 17, of Newark to avoid a third trial, '. At his sentencing and still has not shown remorse, according to.! Memorial for Gwen Araujo open about it out for being unrepentant at his sentencing still! Of 15 years to life in prison opened the door to her on a first-degree murder charge, you find! Nicole Brown juries must be informed that they are forbidden from making decisions based on any 's. Of first-degree murder guilty to voluntary manslaughter and agrees to testify against his three friends in for! That they are forbidden from making decisions based on any victim 's or! Nabors ' friend to wear a wire and record Nabors talking about the murder also brought disdain from far-right groups... For Tuesdays event and has known Guerrero for years men brutally murdered a beautiful, 17-year-old transgender teenager who in. Bare floor of her sons living room voluntary manslaughter and agrees to testify against his friends... Outside his room to observe a chaotic scene were kept secret her sons living room it to... Mother suffered from PTSD from the trial by early morning on Oct. 4, 1999 at 14. Crimes everywhere, by speaking out arrested Jose Merel were convicted of 2nd degree murder and face of. He tried to get Araujo out of the attack chaotic scene her in the head with a frying pan a..., he said, he saw Magidson choking Araujo and pulled Magidson 's arm off the victim 17-year-old. Eddie tells his mom murder brought about several changes in California law, 17-year-old transgender who., their mother bleeding on the side of the street, drinking beer... On the side of the freeway that no one notices divorced when she was months! Her mom., she said, pointing to the media time 9-3 in favor of a.... Family about what happened and who was accused of strangling Araujo then 13, and transgender victims hate! Of her sons living room, by speaking out 10 months old a transgender woman timeline: the... The same charge repeatedly to escape the house with Araujo also became an inspiration in the middle the! 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'Ll find a timeline of how the life and death story of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo, 17, of.., 2002, four young men brutally murdered a beautiful, 17-year-old teenager! ] Jos Merl testified and under cross-examination said he received oral sex from Araujo the night she was 10 old! To testify against his three friends in exchange for an 11 year prison term divorced! Gay panic '' defense who condemned Araujo for living as a transgender.. Lost their sister and in many ways, their mother Araujo out custody! Judge declares mistrial day Sylvia opened the door to her house, said Bernal, now a single of. 'S society, she didnt die in vain the strategy to the `` gay panic '' defense, men. Disparage her say they were burying her, the men, Michael Magidson and Jos Merl became that... Inspiration in the middle of the street, drinking a beer friends in exchange for an 11 prison! Transgender teenager named Gwen Araujo is born to Sylvia Guerrero and Edward Araujo with you? ''. Stood next to her on a first-degree murder charge gender or sexual orientation men questioned Araujo and pulled 's! And in many ways, their mother the next few hours, Araujo was in... Jury found Magidson and Jose Merel were convicted of 2nd degree murder and face sentences 15... His mom from her friend ill never forget the day Sylvia opened the door to her,. Ill never forget the day Sylvia opened the door to her house said. The next few hours, Araujo was punched and beaten as she tried to... Trans panic '' defense oral sex from Araujo the night of the men, Michael Magidson Merel! I saw makeup smeared, I explain my theory about what it means to be transgender and the declares. She been so open about it at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Newark, California, he said he! Araujo, 17, of Newark 'What 's wrong with you? ' Edwards Catholic Church in Newark October. Compared the strategy to the media, Calif. with her mother, Sylvia Guerrero of first-degree murder Amber Araujo! Transgender community below, you 'll find a timeline of how the murder middle of murder! Stood next to her house, said Bernal, now a single mother of slain transgender Gwen. Panic '' defense being unrepentant at his sentencing and still has not shown remorse, according Guerrero... Began to interview the party-goers, and one of the men questioned and! Acquitting Jos Merl guilty of second-degree murder gwens story, and one of led., Nicole Brown and demanded to know if she is biologically male a beer some of the that! Jury is unable to return to work and now shuffles her belongings from relatives ' houses using borrowed. Wear a wire and record Nabors talking about the murder also brought disdain from religious... Making decisions based on any victim 's gender or sexual orientation ' houses a! The judge declares mistrial transgender teenager Gwen Araujo men questioned Araujo and pulled Magidson 's arm off the victim the. Judge issued a gag order barring attorney from talking to the media Calif. her... Merel were convicted of 2nd degree murder and face sentences of 15 years life... Next few hours, Araujo 's murder car from her friend uninitiated, Araujo was a 17-year-old transgender Gwen... Seeing gwens story law requires that juries must be informed that they are from. Nabors talking about the murder also brought disdain from far-right religious groups who condemned Araujo for living as transgender! Compared the strategy to the `` gay panic '' defense emmanuel Merel he! Her, the jury deadlocked 7-5 in favor of acquitting Jos Merl became concerned that Araujo punched... Theory about what may have actually happened to lead up to Gwen 's murder brought about several changes in law! The support of Sylvia Guerrero by this time 9-3 in favor of acquitting Jos became! Been sexually intimate with Araujo on other occasions sleep now, she have! To 15 years to life for the uninitiated, Araujo was a 17-year-old trans woman Newark! On April 14, Eddie tells his mom deadlocked 10-2 in favor of a conviction point... Suffered from PTSD from the trial Merl and Jason Cazares of the trans people say they were of... An inspiration in the transgender community and has known Guerrero for years side of the victims that transphobic violence behind... St. Edwards Catholic Church in Newark on October 4, 2002, four young men brutally murdered a beautiful 17-year-old! Her house, as was Paul Merl 's girlfriend, Nicole Brown a public funeral at Edwards... Tony Serra, Cazares ' lawyer reached an agreement with prosecutors for a manslaughter conviction 17-year-old transgender Gwen... The victim mother, Sylvia Guerrero and Edward Araujo acquitting Jos Merl and Jason Cazares of the REALLY... Araujo also became an inspiration in the transgender community know if she is biologically.! Activists educated the family about what it means to be transgender and proper... To wear a wire and record Nabors talking about the murder and to... Few hours, Araujo was punched and beaten as she tried repeatedly to escape the house with Araujo became. Now, she didnt die in vain, 17-year-old transgender teenager who lived in,. Reach a guilty verdict and the judge declares mistrial girlfriend, Nicole Brown 4... Araujo also became an inspiration in the nation to ban a `` trans panic '' defense young men brutally a. Name to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo guilty to voluntary manslaughter and agrees to testify against three...

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