Two charged in beatings of gay men in Oakland Park

[meegbear]

Nearly a month after a brutal beating left an Oakland Park man in a coma, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced they had made two arrests and anticipated more.

Victor Gonzalez, 21, and Pargu Leandro, 25, both of Deerfield Beach, were jailed in connection with the April 6 early morning attack that left Craig Cohen, 47, on life support and caused severe head injuries to David Villanova, 27.

Gonzalez and Leandro each face attempted murder, battery and robbery charges.

According to BSO, this is what happened:

The men followed Cohen as he headed home on Oakland Park Boulevard from the Peter Pan Diner. They stomped his head into the ground and left him bleeding on the sidewalk.

After stealing Cohen's cellphone and wallet, they ran into Villanova, who was leaving a local bar. They kicked his head and fractured his skull. Villanova was treated for his head injuries and later released.

Though both beatings took place separately, many gay community leaders and activists speculate the men were targeted because they were gay. Detectives said the attacks were random.

''Cohen and Villanova were innocent victims, chosen simply because they were alone and defenseless,'' said Cmdr. Rick Wierzbicki of BSO's Hate Crimes Task Force in a statement.

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http://www.miamiherald.com/news/broward/story/1032411.html

[imdjh]

1. Innocent? As opposed to what?

"''Cohen and Villanova were innocent victims, chosen simply because they were alone and defenseless,'' said Cmdr. Rick Wierzbicki of BSO's Hate Crimes Task Force in a statement."

I don't want to be too touchy here. I'm reading this as "Cohen and Villanova weren't targeted because they are gay, they are innocent victims." But that's neither here nor there.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if one or both of these men had pulled a gun and shot his attacker? Wouldn't it be wonderful if the gay community became known for defending itself and being dangerous to its attackers?

There will probably be a "candlelight vigil" - which makes me want to puke.

[bluestateguy]

2. Have you heard of the Pink Pistols?

If not, take a look:

http://www.pinkpistols.org/

They reject much of the Left's gun confiscation agenda.

I agree with you, though, and I think that candlelight vigils do not convey a message of strength.

[Creideiki]

3. Dude. Let me play the scene.

Option A) Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 approach Victim 1 and Victim 2 quietly and just as they get past them, knock them to the ground and start beating. No chance to grab a gun.

Option B) Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 approach Victim 1 and Victim 2 with nasty comments. Victim 1 shoots Baddy 1 before they get close. Victim 1 is now Baddy 1 and Baddy 1 is now Victim 1. There's no excuse for pre-emptive violence--that's what landed us in Iraq, right?

Option C) Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 approach Victim 1 and Victim 2 intending to beat the snot out of them. Instead of a clean knock-down, Baddy 1 screws up the swing and Victim 1 goes to grab the gun. The gun is knocked loose, Baddy 1 knocks Victim 1 to the ground and then shoots Victim 1 and Victim 2--both are now dead.

Option D) (We'll call this the "way things should be".) Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 approach Victim 1 and Victim 2, but remember that there are random citizens patrols including sweeps up and down each side street. Rather than risk getting caught and chased down by hordes of LGBT people, Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 keep walking and never institute the attack.

Option D is how the Lakeview neighborhood was cleaned up. When I was young, Lakeview (just east of Wrigley Field) was a pit to the point that my father refused to park his car there when we went to Cubs games. The LGBT community moved in and started urban revitalization, including refusing to allow their own to be mugged. Lakeview is now a pretty damned safe neighborhood.

For the culturally literate, think the "Pink Panthers" from "Jeffrey". There are people around patrolling with communication to each other. This is the way things should be. Communities helping themselves and working with the police. All without introducing the possibility of escalating violence. But, hey, I'm just a liberal at a center-right website, I guess.

Note: I was military--Navy and then Marine Corps. I like target shooting with the best of them, but my preferred targets are not people. If I had the temperament to sit around and wait, I'd be a great hunter--I'm awesome with a rifle. I'm not anti-gun--just anti-st00pid.

[imdjh]

4. Option B

Option B) Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 approach Victim 1 and Victim 2 with nasty comments.

Victim 1 shoots Baddy 1 before they get close. Victim 1 is now Baddy 1 and Baddy 1 is now Victim 1. There's no excuse for pre-emptive violence--that's what landed us in Iraq, right?

You are incorrect as I understand your scenario. If Baddy 1 and Baddy 2 are heading for Victim 1 and threatening him, he can shoot them if he has a legitimate fear for his safety.

"Give us your wallet." Bang- justified

"We're gonna fuck you up." Bang - justified

"You fucking faggot. (while holding a weapon or moving in for a punch)" Bang - justified

[Creideiki]

5. If you respond to

"Hey, you fucking faggot" with shooting someone, you're overreacting.

When my ex-boyfriend was bashed (in an un-safe neighborhood of Chicago), he was dropped in less than a second by someone that stepped out from behind a bush with a hockey stick. There was no one around to pursue or dissuade the bad guy from the act. My ex having a gun would not have protected him.

Life is not an action movie.

[imdjh]

7. Fortunately, I live in Florida where my most essential right is protected.

All three times I have been attacked, I could have shot my attackers if I had had a gun. I didn't say that these men necessarily could have, I said it would be nice if they had and if the gay community got a reputation for killing people who attack us.

When I was attacked in DC, had I shot my attackers I probably would have gone to jail. Fortunately, I now live in Florida where my most essential right is protected.

[Creideiki]

8. You had stupid attackers

I hope you never find a cunning one.

I also find disturbing your definition of an "attack" that warrants shooting. Really? A verbal threat warrants gunfire and death? Damn, I'm more glad than ever that I refused my parents' offer moving to Florida to take care of their house. I don't want to live in the Wild West. I can't imagine why anyone would.

You'll excuse me if Florida has moved ahead of Oklahoma on my list of st00pidest places on Earth. Damn. That means Indiana is now in third place. That's a whole buttload of st00pid in a presumably civilized country.

[imdjh]

9. Did you read what I wrote?

A verbal threat warrants gunfire and death?

Yes, if someone threatens you and you have reason to believe that he's sincere (note that I said he had a weapon or was moving in for a punch) - then you can defend yourself with lethal force.


It establishes that law-abiding residents and visitors may legally presume the threat of bodily harm or death from anyone who breaks into a residence or occupied vehicle and may use defensive force, including deadly force, against the intruder.

In any other place where a person “has a right to be,” that person has “no duty to retreat” if attacked and may “meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”

In either case, a person using any force permitted by the law is immune from criminal prosecution or civil action and cannot be arrested unless a law enforcement agency determines there is probable cause that the force used was unlawful.

If a civil action is brought and the court finds the defendant to be immune based on the parameters of the law, the defendant will be awarded all costs of defense.

[Creideiki]

10. Yes, I read what you wrote.

And I continue. Florida is batshit nuts for passing that legislation. Thank God, Goddess, Zeus and Ra that I refused the offer and went to Colorado. That state has ceded its right to claim to be civilized.

[imdjh]

11. When, in your opinion, can a person defend herself?

[Creideiki]

13. When all other means of self-preservation fail

[imdjh]

14. Could you be more specific?

[Creideiki]

15. What's to be more specific?

Lethal force needs to be last resort.

1) If you can get away, get away.

2) If you can't get away, attempt to disable, then get away.

3) If you can't disable, or in attempt to escape, lethal damage was caused, that's excusable.

4) If the other person attempts to get away, LET THEM. That right to refuse people to retreat is insanity.

Needless to say, I'll look for the Gay Days at Disneyland instead of Disneyworld next year. And my parents can come visit me in the civilized world. And trust me--it pains me to describe Colorado as "civilized" sometimes, but compared to Florida, Oklahoma is civilized.

[imdjh]

16. one by one

Lethal force needs to be last resort.

1) If you can get away, get away.

I cannot possibly outrun anyone with two good legs.

2) If you can't get away, attempt to disable, then get away.

The only way for me to disable a healthy attacker would be with a weapon.

3) If you can't disable, or in attempt to escape, lethal damage was caused, that's excusable.

It's too late. If you didn't outrun him, he got you. If you didn't disable him, he now has the upper hand.

4) If the other person attempts to get away, LET THEM. That right to refuse people to retreat is insanity.

No one is saying that you should shoot a fleeing attacker.

Needless to say, I'll look for the Gay Days at Disneyland instead of Disneyworld next year. And my parents can come visit me in the civilized world. And trust me--it pains me to describe Colorado as "civilized" sometimes, but compared to Florida, Oklahoma is civilized.

Both California and Colorado have Castle Doctrine laws. Neither has a "stand your ground" law, but that doesn't mean that you cannot legally defend yourself in those states or that you have a duty to retreat. It simply means that Florida clarified self defense to prevent victims of crimes from being sent before a jury by spineless prosecutors.

[Creideiki]

17. Don't shoot people unless you need to

How hard is it? Life isn't World of Warcraft. When someone gets ganked in real life, it's not just a short run back to their corpse and resuming the game.

Even with the Castle Law, if someone attempts to run, be a decent human being and let them run.

And honestly, it's not about having two good legs to get away--anyone with any cunning can drop someone before they can react. If that's what you want for your life, knock yourself out. Just look over your shoulder because the 1880s are back thataway.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

18. You have obviously never been in a serious altercation

Even the cops do not follow that kind of recipe for disaster.

The most anyone should do is:
- Retreat where practical to a place known to be safe.
- Retrieve weapon in process if not already deployed.
- If attacker pursues, open fire aiming for the center of mass.
That is a tactical suggestion, not a moral or legal requirement

[Creideiki]

20. I'm the middle child of three boys

"You have obviously never been in a serious altercation"

Let me return that with, "You obviously have no siblings."

I've dodged knives thrown at me.

I've dodged rocks thrown at me.

I've been wrapped up in a blanket and beaten until I passed out.

I ran away from the swarm of yellow jackets that picked me out after my older brother hit the hive with a baseball bat and ran into the safety of the screen house.

On top of which, I was trained as a Marine officer, and got the highest score on both the SULE I and SULE II exercises at Officer Candidate School. Teach me about tactics, again. Please. It's cute.

Was your university accredited?

Oh, and like I keep telling you people from Regular Lahunga Beach, the black-and-white world is over that-a-way. Here, we see in color.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

25. Your home life growing up sounds like hell, but it is not relevant

Military tactics and civilian self defense tactics are worlds apart. Outside of basic weapons handling there is little in common. I've taught both.

I did not realize that West Lahunga had a marine corps.

[Creideiki]

22. I feel like channeling Jackie Chan's uncle

"And another thing!"

If the attacker retreats you have no, repeat no, never, nunca, never, ever, ever the moral authority to keep shooting.

Seriously. Turn off the video game, already. You're not getting points based on the number of kills you get.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

24. Where did I say otherwise?

[Creideiki]

6. Not to mention...

how is escalating violence preferable to deterrence?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

19. Awesome group and if they are making the news, gay bashing will slow down

If a few gay bashers get shot, that will give other bigots pause.

[Creideiki]

21. Please. The Guns forum is that-a-way.

Pick up a souvenir of your stay at West Lahunga Beach on your way out.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

23. LGBT and LGBT Self Protection groups are on topic here

[Chovexani]

12. Wouldn't it be wonderful if people stopped confusing real life with action movies and video games?