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Sex crime case against US gay activist will be dismissed
It seems the sex crime case against a major US LGBTI political donor, who helped create a number of gay rights organizations, will be dropped early this week. Terry Bean and his former boyfriend, Kiah L. Lawson, are accused of having a 2013 September sexual encounter with a 15-year-old boy. The alleged victim, who is now 17, refuses to testify.
Authorities claim Bean and Lawson used the iPhone dating app Grindr to set up a meeting with the unnamed minor. Both are charged with two counts of third-degree sodomy, a felony, and third-degree sexual abuse, a misdemeanor.
According to The Oregonian, the boy refuses to accept the subpoena that would force him to to appear at the trial’s start. His lawyer, Lori Deveny, says he does not want to testify and has attempted suicide because he’s fearful he’ll be forced to.
Known only as MSG, the alleged victim is upset his sexual orientation was made public to family and friends.
‘My client was outed by the detective in this case,’ Deveny said to The Oregonian. ‘That undermined his support system.’
Lane County Chief Deputy District Attorney Erik Hasselman told the court the state cannot proceed without the victim. However, the attorney added MSG maintains there was a sexual encounter between him, Bean, and Lawson.
Circuit Judge Jay McAlpin will make a ruling this Tuesday.
Bean has made no public statements, but his lawyer, Derek Ashton, insisted his client is not guilty.
‘Terry Bean is innocent, and we will be ready on Tuesday,’ Ashton said, according to the paper. ‘We’re looking forward to the end of this process. Terry will have more to say when this is concluded.’
Bean helped create a number of LGBTI organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, and Gay Games. He’s also a donor to the Democratic Party.
The post Sex crime case against US gay activist will be dismissed appeared first on Gay Star News.
James Withers
www.gaystarnews.com/article/sex-crime-case-against-us-gay-activist-will-be-dismissed/
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