IL: Cook County jury acquits man on gay panic defense - he stabbed victim 61 times

[ccharles000]

Yet again, a murderous psychopath is freed because of gay panic.

Joseph Biedermann fatally stabbed his Hoffman Estates neighbor 61 times last year. On Friday, a Cook County jury acquitted him of first-degree murder, buying his claim that he was defending himself against an unwanted sexual advance, his mother confirmed Saturday.

There is no other conclusion you can come to after reading the story the jury bought when Joseph Biedermann testified:

Biedermann said Hauser invited him to his apartment for drinks after the bartender refused to serve Biedermann. Biedermann, who admitted he is an alcoholic, claims he passed out on Hauser's couch, only to be awakened later by Hauser threatening him and holding a 4-foot-long sword to his neck.

Biedermann testified Hauser threatened to kill Biedermann if he screamed, which Biedermann said he initially took as a joke. But according to Biedermann, Hauser then replied, "You understand me?" "At that point I knew he was serious," Biedermann said. "I was in big trouble."

Biedermann said Hauser threatened to sexually assault him, then held him around the neck and tried to stab him in the stomach with another weapon, an 16-inch dagger. Biedermann testified he escaped Hauser's grasp, gained control of the weapon and stabbed Hauser as many times as he could. There were no witnesses.

Um, he stabbed him 61 times. Do you think that was a bit of overkill? And this is the second time this year a defendant floated this defense. Back in March, Timothy Bailey-Woodson claimed 53-year-old David G. Coungeris made a move on him (they were sleeping in the same bed):

Timothy Bailey-Woodson, 23, is accused of beating to death 53-year-old David G. Coungeris with some type of auto part during an altercation at High Tech Auto & Truck Repair at 250 S. Gary Ave. in Bloomingdale, according to DuPage County State's Attorney Joseph Birkett.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/12009/il-cook-county-jury-acquits-man-on-gay-panic-defense-he-stabbed-victim-61-times

[dsc]

1. I admit I am not that outraged about the first case

The jury had to choose between first degree and not guilty with doubt going to the defendent. The second case, on the other hand, is totally outrageous.

[ccharles000]

2. kick

[imdjh]

3. Biedermann isn't a gay-panic defense. True or not, it's a self-defense claim.

Gay-panic defense is "He made moves on me and I freaked out and killed him." He's claiming that the deceased was threatening to rape him at knife point.

The second one on Pam's page is gay-panic defense.