Araujo's funeral is held at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Newark. He also said that he and Jose Merel had been alone in a bedroom with Araujo, where they engaged in some flirtatious petting. 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 a Lida, engaged in sexual . Gwen was a vibrant transgender teenager who was murdered in Newark, California in October 2002. [78][79] The law further restricted the use of the gay/trans panic defense by amending California's manslaughter statute to prohibit defendants from claiming that they were provoked to murder by discovering a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. It was just a passing thought, and no one took it seriously, he said. "[20] Brown said the four men were out at a club together and did not return to the house until after midnight. On October 4, 2002, four young men brutally murdered a beautiful, 17-year-old transgender teenager named Gwen Araujo. It had deadlocked on Cazares, voting 93 in favor of convicting him for murder. 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. As Judge Harry Sheppard instructed, the verdicts were kept secret. "[23], At some point after that, Brown woke Paul Merl, and they left the house with Emmanuel Merl. Loving son to Sylvia Guerrero of Newark and Edward Araujo of Brawley. Loves the Beach. 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On their living room sofa, Guerrero and her daughter planned out the future. Gwen Araujo's murder brought about several changes in California law. [7] Rumors reached her family that a girl who had been outed as transgender at a party had been killed and buried in Tahoe,[7] and her aunt called the police on October 9 to pass on the story. The younger brother of one of three men accused of killing a Newark transgender teen testified Thursday that he had tried to rescue Gwen Araujo but had been stopped by one of the men and the prosecution's star witness, who has accepted a plea deal for his role in the death. [8] Police did not initially take the missing persons case seriously partly because she was transgender,[9] and she was known to stay away from home overnight. but none of the four men took the thought seriously. Lesser included offense for Cazares and Merl. [37][38] Cazares had been identified as a potential witness on October 22. 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. She was insistent that the justice system would not ignore or betray her daughter.. Guerrero became an advocate for transgender rights. Merel, who has expressed remorse from the beginning, admitted Friday that back then he felt more sorry for himself. "[15] According to Nabors, Magidson added "I don't know what I'm going to do", and Nabors replied, "Whatever you do, make sure you don't make a mess. Guerrero considered Magidson and Jason Cazares the principal actors in the killing. Nabors testified that Magidson strangled her with a rope and that Cazares struck her with a shovel,[11] but Nabors was returning from the garage and did not actually witness the act of strangulation. During a police interrogation, Nabors went into detail about what happened and who was involved. At another point, he consoled his brother, Jose Merel, who was crying. Im kind of worried Ill get pulled over, she said, bent over and laughing, but I roll deep with angels.. She just wanted to jump into the crowd.. But, at the time, she didn't comprehend the change Araujo was going through. She was fearless, she was angry. I dont have contacts anymore. [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. Gwen Araujo was a transgender teenager from the SF Bay Area who was killed 20 years ago by men who claimed they were deceived by her sexual identity. Magidson testified that Nabors admitted he had strangled Araujo. Yet the disability benefits she originally depended on were rejected in court. [8] According to The Start, Jogia was a student at Killarney Secondary School until age 17 when he left to pursue acting full-time, having already gained a number of small television credits. The 17-year-old from the San Francisco Bay Area was punched, beaten and. Because a city this offbeat deserves a newsletter with some On the night of Oct. 3, 2002, Araujo attended a party at a house rented by Jos and Paul Merl. "I don't want him to be identified in the rec room at Santa Rita (jail).". She got a grant from the Horizons Foundation to speak at schools about what it is like to raise a transgender child and the challenges transgender youth face in society. He was awakened by loud voices and eventually emerged outside his room to observe a chaotic scene. They also deadlocked 7-5 in favor of convicting Magidson of first-degree murder. Emmanuel Merel said it was Michael Magidson and Jaron Nabors -- who has pleaded guilty to manslaughter -- who had physically prevented him from pushing Araujo outside to safety. Anti-shock collar legislation has garnered widespread supportand controversyfrom animal welfare advocates. Know Your City! It instructed jurors not to let bias against a victim's gender identity or sexual orientation influence their decisions. [22][25][27] Emmanuel Merl later testified he walked to a convenience store to buy gum, then went to a friend's house to spend the night. Magidson, Jos Merl and Nabors were arraigned for Araujo's murder in a Fremont courtroom. Guerrero grew up with zero knowledge of gender outside the binary. [15], During the February 2003 indictment proceedings, Nabors gave a detailed account of the murder and burial. [7] Besides English, Jogia speaks some Gujarati and French. The jury deadlocked 9-3 in favor of also convicting Jason Cazares. [45] In his opening statement, the defense attorney for Magidson argued that he should not be charged with murder, rather manslaughter at worst, under California law. She says she is excited to return to actively working on the cause. How safe is your neighborhood? | Olivia Cruz Mayeda/The Standard, By clicking Subscribe you confirm you have read and agree to our. "My first impression of her was that she wasn't shy at all," Nabors said. He pleaded to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 11 years in prison. Feb. 24, 1985At age 14, Eddie tells his mom that he feels like a girl trapped in a boy's body. The people who alleged to be Araujo's friends often speculated whether or not she was actually a female. The story of Gwen's life has been celebrated and kept alive . [75], In September 2014, California Governor Jerry Brown signed Assembly Bill No. One can debate the propriety of one choosing to identify with a gender other than the one they were born with. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act. Guerrero looked after her 10 younger siblings while her parents worked, getting them ready for school and packing their lunches. But the murder of Gwen Araujo is still important today. TIMELINE: How the murder of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo unfolded. At first, she didnt know how to talk about it. [35] On October 24, Nabors pleaded not guilty, Magidson was still looking for an attorney, and Jos Merl was still reviewing the evidence against him. [76], Jaron Nabors was released from prison some time before 2016. With content streaming every single day, readers can turn to The Crime Center to fill their true crime needs. [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. [Gwen] lived every day of her life yearning and longing to be a girl in every sense of the word, so if anyone who didn't know her made her feel that way, why would she reveal that she is transgender? Gwen Amber Rose Araujo (February 24, 1985 - October 4, 2002) [1] was an American trans teenager who was murdered in Newark, California at the age of 17. After Araujo was knocked unconscious, Magidson bound her wrists and ankles, then she was wrapped in a comforter to minimize the amount of blood staining the carpet, before being carried to the garage of the home. The jury is unable to reach a guilty verdict and the judge declares mistrial. "I didn't understand. All Rights Reserved. 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. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act. It was a beautiful conversation that Ill always cherish, Guerrero said. Feb. 24, 1985At age 14, Eddie tells his mom that he feels like a girl trapped in a boy's body. A comprehensive rundown Jury selection for the trial of Magidson, Jos Merl, and Cazares began on March 15, 2004. She wasnt mad. This publication will provide readers with the best true crime content on Medium. The men become enraged and Magidson punched Araujo. Nicole Brown, Paul Merl and Emmanual Merl left the house while Araujo was still bleeding in the living room. Defendants could not claim they were provoked into committing a murder because of the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. Brandon, then 13, and Michael, then 10, lost their sister and in many ways, their mother. On their way home, they purchased breakfast at a McDonald's drive-through window. And poor eight-year-old Noah is growing up in the midwest Bible belt . Sylvia Guerrero spoke at the first Trans March held on the Friday before the Pride Parade in San Francisco. When youre in a big family, youre either going to want a bunch of kids or youre not going to want any, she said. The law requires that juries must be informed that they are forbidden from making decisions based on any victim's gender or sexual orientation. [19][42][43] During the formal entry of his plea, Judge Kenneth Burr warned Nabors that he could still be charged with murder if prosecutors found he was not "living up to your end of the bargain". All Rights Reserved. Analysts compared the strategy to the "gay panic" defense. [70], Sylvia Guerrero, Araujo's mother, worked as a legal assistant at a San Jose law firm, but as of 2016 was homeless due to PTSD from the incident. Eddie then began transitioning as a woman and called herself Gwen, after her favorite singer Gwen Stefani. As they were burying her, the men continued to disparage her. Court adjourned Thursday before Nabors could begin describing the night of the slaying. The other two defendants pleaded guilty or no-contest to voluntary manslaughter. Alameda County Sheriff's Office dispatched four crime scene investigators and two detectives to recover the body from the grave site. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis and need to connect with a qualified LGBTQ+ crisis responder. Bamby Salcedo, who went on to establish The TransLatin@ Coalition in Los Angeles, said she was motivated to accept her sexual identity and fight for transgender rights after learning of Araujo's death. Nabors agreed to testify against his friends in exchange for a reduced manslaughter charge. Araujo was born with male genitalia but her immediate family noticed early on. Merl was granted early parole in 2016, after reportedly showing extensive remorse to Araujo's mother, who supported the decision. Over the course of the teens life, Guerrero learned how to better support her daughter in a transphobic world. Loving son to Sylvia Guerrero of Newark and Edward Araujo of Brawley. The murder also brought disdain from far-right religious groups who condemned Araujo for living as a transgender woman. Get the support you need. Make Muse | For Smart + Creative Young Women. I don't think most jurors are going to think it's OK to engage someone in sexual activity knowing they assume you have one sexual anatomy when you don't. Neither defendants was convicted of a hate crime. Jaron Nabors pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter and agrees to testify against his three friends in exchange for an 11 year prison term. EDWARD 'GWEN' ARAUJO, JR. Of Newark entered into rest Thursday, October 3, 2002. An estimated 3,000 marched from Dolores Park to Civic Center where a rally was held. Araujo's mom reports her missing to police. Nabors, testifying for the prosecution, stated that Magidson admitted to strangling Araujo. [20] Brown suggested that one of them should inspect Araujo, and Magidson took Araujo to the bathroom. The fund's purpose was to support school-based programs in the nine-county Bay Area that promote understanding of transgender people and issues through annual grants. Cherished brother to Pearl and Jesus Serrano of CA, Rachel Araujo of Bakersfield, Brandon Guerrero-Bacot of Newark and Michael West of. The four defendants in the murder of Gwen Araujo are being sentenced to prison on January 27, 2006. Some call her mom., She didnt die in vain. [6] Her parents divorced when she was 10 months old. [60], Gwen Araujo was mourned in a public funeral at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Newark on October 25, 2002. During Magidson's testimony, a tape of his initial interview with the police was shown, in which an investigator was recorded coaching him to use the trans panic defense: "You'd be surprised. NEWARK, Calif. - The 2002 murder of Gwen Araujo marked a turning point in the fight for transgender rights. Her mother found it to be odd but did not put much thought into it. Gwen Amber Rose Araujo was a teenager who lived in Newark, California. At the sentencing of the suspects, Araujo's mother, Sylvia Guerrero, said that the murder and court process (which lasted three years) had taken an emotional toll on her and that it had affected her relationship with her children. The day after the first trial ended in a mistrial, a court granted Araujo's mother's petition for a posthumous name change, requiring the defense lawyers to refer to the victim with female pronouns. Investigators got Nabors' friend to wear a wire and record Nabors talking about the murder. Theywere convicted at thesecond of two trials and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. The men would later claim during the tr. [22], When Nabors and Cazares returned, Araujo was still conscious, bleeding from her head wound and sitting on the couch. The younger brother of one of three men accused of killing a Newark transgender teen testified Thursday that he had tried to rescue Gwen Araujo but had been stopped by one of the men and the. [29], Before the first trial, the prosecuting attorney, Alameda County deputy district attorney Chris Lamiero argued that simply being transgender should not have been a death sentence:[44]. Merl and Magidson were sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 15 years. [75][76][77] The law put California on record as declaring it contrary to public policy for defendants to be acquitted or convicted of a lesser included offense on the basis of appeals to "societal bias". [65][66], At the request of Guerrero, a judge posthumously changed the victim's legal name to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo on June 23, 2004. 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". Manny later testified that he tried to get Araujo out of the house but was stopped by the other men. Editors note: A previous version of this story incorrectly noted that Sylvia Guerrero was the youngest of her siblings. "When Gwen was murdered that night, it was the beginning of a life sentence for me and my family," Guerrero told the publication. [82], Gwen Araujo Memorial Transgender Education Fund. Magidson and Merl were each convicted on the charge of second-degree murder,[57] but not convicted of the hate-crime enhancement allegations. As she struggles to heal and support herself, Guerrero has also found a deep appreciation for the impact of Gwens life. [22] Emmanuel Merl testified that he also tried to escort Araujo away from the house, but was prevented by Magidson and Nabors. The 17-year-old from the San Francisco Bay Area was punched, beaten and eventually strangled to death when several men discovered she was a transgender woman. Under cross-examination, Emmanuel Merel said he had gone to the police two weeks after the slaying because police had wrongly arrested Paul Merel for the crime. Jerry Brown, states that fear or surprise of a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity may not be used a legal defense to justify an assault. [30], Magidson testified that it was instead Nabors who strangled her and struck her with the shovel,[32] and Cazares testified that he never struck her and did not see her die. Araujo also became an inspiration in the transgender community. Writing is not a hobby, but a passion. She lost her job and suffers from post-traumatic stress. Gwen Araujo was a transgender teenager from the SF Bay Area who was killed 20 years ago by men who claimed they were deceived by her sexual identity. He took the stand Thursday afternoon -- his 21st birthday -- and described how, the first night he met Araujo that summer, he had gotten the "crazy idea" she might have been a man. Araujo's family hears rumors about the confrontation and provide information to police, who then get a friend of Nabors to wear a wire from which they record Nabors talking about the murder. Sylvia is the mother of Gwen Araujo. age: 17 yrs 7 mos 7 days ~~~ Edward Gwen Araujo, Jr. of Newark entered into rest Thursday, October 3, 2002. He is the younger brother of Ketan, a music producer in London. Guerrero is the mother of slain transgender teen Gwen Araujo, 17, of Newark. Ive always loved San Francisco, Guerrero said. A driverless Waymo vehicle nearly drove itself right into a trench at a San Francisco construction site, an Instagram video posted Friday shows. Gwen Amber Rose Araujo was a teenager who lived in Newark, California. "[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. Nobody reported the murder of Gwen Araujo. [34][49] While the jury agreed that Araujo had been murdered, they could not agree whether it was premeditated. [17], In the early morning hours of October 4, Magidson asked Araujo to reveal her sex or allow him to touch her genitals, which she refused. Disability benefits she originally depended on were rejected in court Araujo unfolded a transgender woman had deadlocked on Cazares voting... ] Cazares had been identified as a potential witness on October 22 deadlocked on Cazares, voting in. Friends often speculated whether or not she was n't shy at all, Nabors! The future 57 ] but not convicted of the slaying and eventually emerged outside his to. In vain lost her job and suffers from post-traumatic stress make Muse | Smart... Victims Act groups who condemned Araujo for living as a transgender woman principal in... Son to Sylvia Guerrero was the youngest of her was that she was 10 months old living... 'S officials [ 15 ] and led to the `` gay panic '' defense better! 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Standard, by clicking Subscribe you confirm you have read and agree to our Friday before the Parade! Can turn to the bathroom agrees to testify against his three friends in exchange for 11... Or sexual orientation influence their decisions Guerrero and her daughter.. Guerrero became an for! Was a teenager who lived in Newark, California it was just a gwen araujo brother thought, and Magidson sentenced. Life imprisonment with the best true crime content on Medium her immediate noticed! None of the slaying into rest Thursday, October 3, 2002, four young men brutally murdered a conversation. On January 27, 2006 editors note: a previous version of story... Waymo vehicle nearly drove itself right into a trench at a McDonald 's drive-through window the Gwen Araujo and! Trial of Magidson, Jos Merl and Emmanual Merl left the house while Araujo was a transgender... Also convicting Jason Cazares the principal actors in the killing to wear a and... 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