Sex Orientation Eyed As Motive In 2 N.J. Killings
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities are investigating whether two men in New Jersey were killed because of their sexual orientation.
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino announced on Thursday the arrest of a suspect in the March. 15 slaying of a Maplewood man. Laurino also named two suspects in the deadly shooting of a 28-year-old transgender woman on Sept. 12.
Laurino told The Star-Ledger of Newark the suspects in both attacks learned of the victims' sexual orientations.
John Staten is held on $1 million bail, charged in the fatal beating 27-year-old Arthur Downey.
Laurino would not disclose Downey's sexual orientation. But the prosecutor said Downey met Staten in a telephone chat service that has a "gay portion."
Police are looking for 25-year-old Marquise Foster and 23-year-old Alrashim Chambers in the slaying of Victoria Carmen White. The professional lingerie model legally changed her name to Victoria Carmen after undergoing a sex-change nine years ago.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
