Gay Man Facing Long Prison Term In 'Hate Crime' Arson

[William769]

(Lakeland, Florida) A Florida man who whose mobile home was destroyed by fire last year in what he claimed was a homophobic hate crime faces a long prison term for actually torching the home himself.

Paul Day and his partner Christopher Robertson returned home from shopping to find the trailer fully engulfed in flames.

When Lakeland firefighters arrived at the trailer in July 2005 they found the words "die fag" spray painted on front of the home and the structure fully enveloped in flames. (story)

Walking with police through the burned out mobile home the next day Christopher Michael Robertson said all the items of value had been stolen including a television set and laptop computer.

Investigators helped him fill out insurance claims and there was a huge outpouring of support from throughout the country as people sent money, and offers of housing and furniture.

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/12/120106arson.htm

People like this make me sick! I don't care what their sexual orientation is. :grr:

[dsc]

1. They should throw away the key

[VaTF1]

3. I agree with you 100%

I have spent over 20 years in a fire dept. and we take these calls very seriously, especially when I sent young people under my command into harm's way. We never know if there is someone inside of a structure, needing our aid, and we've had plenty of legitimate arsons that tie up the hours of The Office of the Fire Marshal.

Not only that, but actions like this take away from the many strides the GLBT Community has made to legitimately fight for the rights every American citizen should have access to under the 14th Amendment. :grr:

[marmar]

2. Now that's a strange story....

With all the legitimate hate crimes that take place, the last thing that's needed is something like this to detract from those.

[terrya]

4. This is a disgusting story

There are REAL hate crimes going on against GLBT people in this country...and this jerk pretends to be a victim of a hate crime just for profit??? :grr:

Gee thanks, asshole, for making us look bad.

[Jamastiene]

5. With the real prejudices and hate crimes that GLBT people

face, this type of thing is just a blow to our equal rights quest. I despise someone who would do such a thing as that. That's just horrendous. He should not have done that. Let him rot in jail for hurting our cause.

[Rising Phoenix]

6. thats so fucked up

when this is really happening to people, and they take advantage of that like this....where is his soul?

[VaTF1]

7. I don't know if this will buy anyone posting here any comfort,,,,,,

He is a fool; true. Should this buy him jail time ? You bet ! But, do you know that there are more arsonists within the straight world and, sadly enough, they happen to be firefighters like myself. I know this case does not help the legitimate fight for equal rights, but I also know that there are those who know how to start a fire and disguise it, only to put it out, because they have a "saviour complex".

A sad commentary, which I wish were more public, and my .02.