She lost her job and suffers from post-traumatic stress. [71], In September 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the "Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act" (AB 1160) into law. [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. Initial coverage by several news media outlets described the victim as a cross-dressing man. California Gov. Brown grabbed Araujo's crotch during a confrontation in the bathroom and revealed she had male genitalia. Gwen Amber Rose Araujo was a teenager who lived in Newark, California. Sylvia honors Gwen, and transgender victims of hate crimes everywhere, by speaking out. The elderly woman was a victim of recent storms. And poor eight-year-old Noah is growing up in the midwest Bible belt . Watch the ABC7 Originals documentary, "Being Gwen: A Life and Death Story," streaming now in the video player above.It's also available 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. She was the oldest of 11 children to immigrant parents from Irapuato, Mexico. A comprehensive rundown She says she receives emails from all over the world. 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. I feel like a freak.". One of those friends was Daisy Bernal, whom Guerrero took in for three years when she was 16. Socially Sad and Mentally Arrogant: Boys Locker Room, The AFL-CIO must end union representation of law enforcement. She was cremated, and her mother Sylvia Guerrero retained the urn with her ashes. After the jury was removed from the courtroom, bailiffs removed the defendants and locked the doors while they escorted Nabors to the stand. [8], Araujo first met Michael Magidson, Jos Merl, Jaron Nabors, and Jason Cazares in late August or early September 2002. 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. That friend told someone else and the rumor of Araujo's murder eventually got back to the family who reported it to police. Vigils and marches seeking justice for Araujo were held in several San Francisco Bay Area cities. Ive always loved San Francisco, Guerrero said. TIMELINE: How the murder of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo unfolded. Alameda County Sheriff's Office dispatched four crime scene investigators and two detectives to recover the body from the grave site. Jason Cazares struck a deal with prosecutors to avoid a third trial and accepted a six-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter. NEWARK, Calif. (KGO) -- She was killed 20 years ago. [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. Nabors took the stand under tight security. The four defendants in the murder of Gwen Araujo are being sentenced to prison on January 27, 2006. "The first time I saw makeup smeared, I was yelling, 'What's wrong with you?'" During the trial, the defense maintained that Araujo deceived the men into non-consensual sex by not revealing her biological gender and that the men reacted out of rage when they killed her. [50], The second trial began on May 31, 2005. The Gwen Araujo murder trial begins in a Hayward courtroom. [33], Two days after Araujo was reported missing, a friend of Jaron Nabors described him as appearing distraught. She wasnt mad. [30] Magidson hit her head against the living room wall with his knee, rendering her unconscious. [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. 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. One of the many factors that parole boards consider is the impact on the victims family. Jury selection begins for the second trial. She went on to say, "It feels like we lost our mom. As she struggles to heal and support herself, Guerrero has also found a deep appreciation for the impact of Gwens life. Her older sister, Pearl Sunseri, said Araujo let her hair grow out and started to wear makeup. Gwen Araujo was a 17-year-old transgender woman from Newark, California. Earlier Thursday, Emmanuel Merel, 22, testified that he had stayed in his room for most of the night on Oct. 3, 2002, instead of partying with the others. Prosecuting attorney Lamiero used male pronouns and her birth name to refer to Araujo, saying the defendants had decided "that the wages of [Gwen] Araujo's sin of deception were 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. Merl testified that Nabors was responsible for the major head injuries to Araujo, but supported the assertion that Magidson had strangled her. Fred Phelps and the members of Phelps's Westboro Baptist Church promised to picket the funeral,[36] but did not.,[64] there were people there that picket with signs but friends wore angel wings to block casket from signs. [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. I can never make up for the time we lost as Ive struggled to deal with the grief that began that night.. 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. "My first impression of her was that she wasn't shy at all," Nabors said. I never heard of the word transgender until she died.". Yet the disability benefits she originally depended on were rejected in court. Nabors later testified that Jos Merl said that night, "I swear, if it's a f man, I'm gonna kill him. Sylvia Guerrero is seen in San Francisco on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. Araujo's remains are cremated. Transgender activists educated the family about what it means to be transgender and the proper use of pronouns. Make Muse | For Smart + Creative Young Women. Over the next few hours, Araujo was punched and beaten as she tried repeatedly to escape the house. Prospective jurors were asked if they knew any lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender people; whether they knew any recently married same-sex couples; whether they had met any transgender people; or whether they had seen a "movie or theatrical performance depicting the activities of a transgender person". The jury finds Michael Magidson and Jos Merl guilty of second-degree murder. As a young boy, Eddie Araujo always felt like he was different in a way. Defendants could not claim they were provoked into committing a murder because of the victim's gender identity or sexual orientation. a GoFundMe page that raises donations on her behalf. "[23], At some point after that, Brown woke Paul Merl, and they left the house with Emmanuel Merl. [52] To avoid a second mistrial, prosecuting attorney Chris Lamiero argued for a first-degree murder conviction, but gave jurors the option of a second-degree murder conviction for the three, or even manslaughter for Merl. When youre in a big family, youre either going to want a bunch of kids or youre not going to want any, she said. Cherished brother to Pearl and Jesus Serrano of C At an early age, he started putting on his mom's makeup and wearing his mom's clothes. [8], The Alameda County Sheriff's Office dispatched four crime scene investigators and two detectives to recover Araujo's body from the grave site. My daughter in 2002 brought the trans community to the forefront, and changes began since then, said Guerrero, who returns to heractivism for the trans community with a speaking engagement in Fullerton next month. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Some of the trans people say they were thinking of committing suicide before seeing Gwens story. I have a family. Arnold Schwarzenegger signs the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act. Days before the 20-year anniversary of her daughters murder, Guerrero stood in front of the TV at her sons apartment in Tracy and flipped through generic photos of Pescaderos foggy coastline. But, at the time, she didn't comprehend the change Araujo was going through. HANDOUT PHOTO ALSO RAN 10/22/02, 11/19/02, 12/22/02, 10/4/2003, Emmanuel Merel, the younger brother of defendant Jose Merel, testifies in the Eddie "Gwen" Araujo murder trial in Alameda Superior Court Thursday, April 21, 2004, in Hayward, Calif. Emmanuel testified that he tried to push the teenager out the door to safety in the chaos that followed the discovery of Araujo's gender. Police then question Nabors, Magidson and Jos Merl. 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. AB 2501 became the first state law in the nation to prohibit the use of the "gay panic" or "trans panic" defenses. Gwen Araujo murder 14 years later: Transgender, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), ACE train service cancelled after more mudslides at Niles Canyon, Gwen Araujo murder 14 years later: Transgender teens killers face parole. Jos Merl, who cried in anguish about having sex with Araujo, then struck her with a frying pan and a can of food. All Rights Reserved. We have a long way to go before a trans person can be free to live their lives, to live out their dreams and goals like they deserve.. [24][25] He then proceeded to punch her in the face, knocking her to the ground, and put her in a chokehold, but he was pulled off by others. Cazares pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for a six-year sentence after two juries couldnt agree ona verdict. Ciara-Kiona Purvis September 11, 2022 Interpersonal Communication A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Story A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo story is based on a true story. Araujo had been hogtied, bludgeoned, strangled to death, and then transported to the remote location to be buried beneath rocks in a shallow grave, The Mercury News reported. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions. One can debate the propriety of one choosing to identify with a gender other than the one they were born with. A driverless Waymo vehicle nearly drove itself right into a trench at a San Francisco construction site, an Instagram video posted Friday shows. [61][81], Michael Magidson said he was not ready for release at his parole board hearing in 2016, and his request for parole was also opposed by Guerrero. "[15] Brown testified that she tried to comfort Merl after the discovery, saying "It's not your fault. "When Gwen was murdered that night, it was the beginning of a life sentence for me and my family," Guerrero told the publication. "Mike and Jaron were in front of the door," Merel testified in a Hayward courtroom. Beto Lopez, Gwens childhood friend, remembered sneaking out of the house in their hometown of Newark to go to San Francisco Pride with Gwen in 2000. Especially in today's society, she would have been rejected if not harmed had she been so open about it. The men became suspicious that Araujo was not biologically female because she did not let them touch her genitalia. Still, there have been nearly 25slayings of transgender people in the United States so far in 2016 alone, according to Noyola, including the killing of Brandi Bledsoe in Cleveland last week. He said that he didnt understand the depths of what he had done until his own daughter, who was gravely disabled, died in 2011, said Alameda County Assistant District Attorney Jill Klinge. Edward "Gwen" Araujo, Jr. of Newark entered into rest Thursday, October 3, 2002. 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. They are 22-year-old Michael Magidson, 22-year-old Jos Merl, 22-year-old Jason Cazares, and 19-year-old and Jaron Nabors. A month before Gwens murder, Guerrero decided to talk to Gwen about her future. Back in Tracy, Guerrero examined a broken taillight on her car while holding her daughters framed picture in her left hand. Ill never forget the day Sylvia opened the door to her house, said Bernal, now a single mother of seven. Guerrero became an advocate for transgender rights. [2] He was killed by four men, two of whom he had been sexually intimate with while pretending to be female, who beat and strangled him after discovering that he was actually a biological male. Sylvia Guerrero had never even heard the word transgender until her 17-year-olddaughter Gwen Araujo, born a son named Eddie, was brutally murdered. Now at 58, she wears flip-flops and jean shorts. This is the life and death story of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo. The Civic Remembrance and call to action for Gwen Araujo will be held Tuesday, Oct. 4, from 4-6 p.m. at San Francisco Main Librarys Koret Auditorium. She was killed 20 years ago. "She had no problem flirting.". The men become enraged and Magidson punched Araujo. If they actually did know, then why did they kill her? HAYWARD / Witness tells of friends' anger at being duped / He HAYWARD / Araujo begged for mercy, witness says, THIS IS A HANDOUT IMAGE. [12] Magidson, Nabors, and Jos Merl were charged with murder on October 17 and held without bail. Deputy District Attorney Chris Lamiero announced he will seek a second trial. On the night of Oct. 3, 2002, Araujo attended a party at a house rented by Jos and Paul Merl. [76], Jaron Nabors was released from prison some time before 2016. Dufty was elected as a supervisor in San Francisco a few months after Gwens murder and witnessed the community organizing that followed. Magidson was called out for being unrepentant at his sentencing and still has not shown remorse, according to Guerrero. 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. I always have.. On Tuesday, trans rights advocates and Gwens loved ones will gather at San Franciscos Main Library to honor her legacy on the anniversary of her murder. [29] The final votes were 102 in favor of acquitting Merl and Cazares of first-degree murder, and 75 in favor of convicting Magidson of first-degree murder. [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. The letter was intercepted by sheriff's officials[15] and led to the arrest of Cazares on November 19. We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. She cant afford the surgery to remove an IUD that should have been taken out in 2005 and has painfully embedded itself in her uterus. [78][79][80] AB 2501 was introduced by Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla in partnership with Equality California. The second trial began on May 31, 2005. As they were burying her, the men continued to disparage her. [61] Magidson was denied parole again in September 2019. Gwen was going to be 18 soon and had aspirations of going to beauty school. I cant afford it.. Sylvia was relentless, Dufty said. It was shocking, Guerrero said. On October 4, 2002, four young men brutally murdered a beautiful, 17-year-old transgender teenager named Gwen Araujo. [34][49] While the jury agreed that Araujo had been murdered, they could not agree whether it was premeditated. This is a carousel. Feb. 24, 1985At age 14, Eddie tells his mom that he feels like a girl trapped in a boy's body. History of transgender people in the United States, History of violence against LGBT people in the United States, List of people killed for being transgender, "Two Guilty of Murder in Death of a Transgender Teenager", "Trying to Understand Eddie's Life and Death", "Slain Newark teen balanced between two worlds", "Case of slain transgender teen could go to a jury this week", "HAYWARD / Suspect's brother says he tried to aid Araujo / He testifies others blocked him from rescuing victim", "HAYWARD / Defense calls transgender victim guilty of 'deception and betrayal', "HAYWARD / Defense grills star witness in teen murder trial / 'You're lying,' lawyer says to man who pleaded guilty", "Guilty plea in transgender killing / Defendant makes deal, testifies against friends", "3 Are Charged In Death of Man Who Dressed Like a Woman", "One year since transgender teen's death / Gwen Araujo's family still struggling to cope", "HAYWARD / Witness tells of friends' anger at being duped / He says 2 were mad their sex partner was biologically male", "Witness tells how she learned transgender teen was male", "Slain teen's last night recounted / Witness testifies on events leading to killing of transgender youth", "HAYWARD / Transgender teen did nothing 'to deserve death' / But 1 accused killer said he vomited on finding she was male", "Man Testifies on His Role in Teen's Death", "Witness details slaying of transgender teenager", "Three sentenced to prison in Araujo slaying", "Attack Witnesses Unlikely to Face Criminal Charges", "11 years for defendant in Araujo killing", "Chilling time line of a killing / Death of transgender teen described in grisly detail", "Defendant says prosecution witness admitted killing Araujo", "3 Charged in Beating Death of Boy, 17, Who Lived as a Girl", "Man Pleads Not Guilty in Slaying of Transgender Bay Area Teenager", "Fourth Arrest Made in Transgender Killing", "Fourth Person Sought in Slaying Inquiry Is Found", "Accused: Araujo bargained for escape Preliminary hearing in death of transgender teen to end today (subscription needed)", "Defense attorney: Witness struck Gwen's fatal blow (subscription required)", "Slaying Victim's Mother Now Speaks Out Against Hate Crime", "Witness Unable to Testify About Transgender Teen's Slaying", "Accused killer was 'disgusted' that transgender teen was male", "NEWARK / Teen's death a crime of passion, defense says", "Final defendant testifies in Araujo murder trial", "Newark Transgender Teen Murder Verdicts Upheld", "2 Convicted of Murdering Transgender Teen", "HAYWARD / Manslaughter ruled out, Araujo juror says / 'Events devolved into brutal beating and homicide', "HAYWARD / Araujo case draws to close / Last defendant pleads no contest to avoid third trial", "Gwen Araujo murder 14 years later: Transgender teen's killers face parole", "Cazares plea brings Araujo trial to close", "Man Given 11 Years in Gwen Araujo's Death", "Mourners Overflow Funeral of Teen Allegedly Slain Over Sexual Identity", "Longtime trans activist says goodbye to TransVision", "SAN FRANCISCO / Transgender community feels joy, anger at Araujo verdict", "Fests go in for a piece of the action: Cinequest to distribute 'Ways of Men', "Ten years later, Araujo's murder resonates", "An act to amend Section 192 of the Penal Code, relating to manslaughter", "California Bans Gay and Trans Panic Defense", "Assemblymember Bonilla and Equality California Introduce Bill to Ban "Panic Defense" Strategy as a Courtroom Tactic by Murder Defendants", "Online Extra: Parole denied for killer of Bay Area transgender teen", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Gwen_Araujo&oldid=1133311118, American victims of anti-LGBT hate crimes, Deaths by strangulation in the United States, Articles with dead external links from September 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using embedded infobox templates with the title parameter, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. 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