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Article: "They asked for it": murderers of gay and transgender people across the country are still blaming the victims, claiming sexual advances can cause homicidal rage. Now prosecutors are joining together to get rid of the "gay panic" defense once and for all.(Courts)
- Article from:
- The Advocate (The national gay & lesbian newsmagazine)
- Article date:
- April 12, 2005
- Author:
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Nineteen-year-old Eagle Scout Gary Hirte admitted he murdered Glenn Kopitske, a 37-year-old gay Wisconsin man. But Hirte's attorney told a jury in February that his client should not be held responsible for his actions: He did it only because he was crazy with rage and shame after the two had sex in Kopitske's rural Winnebago County home in the summer of 2003.
Of course, the jury also heard how Hirte had returned to Kopitske's home hours after the sexual encounter with a shotgun and a hunting knife, both of which he used in the killing. They heard how Hirte had bragged to friends about his deed, showing at least one of them the bloody knife and the victim's car ...