Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 2, 1993 TAG: 9302020027
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WILMINGTON, N.C. LENGTH: Medium
GAY-BASHING SUSPECTS `NOT ASHAMED,' POLICE SAY
Three Marines showed no remorse as they were booked on charges that they beat a gay man apparently because of President Clinton's push to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military, police said Monday."They were saying things like they hate all faggots and they wish they were all dead and they're not ashamed of it," said Ed Gibson, the Wilmington police desk sergeant when the Marines were brought to the station after the attack early Saturday.
Three Marine lance corporals - Colin C. Hunt, 20, Patric G. Gardone, 23, and Walter G. Watkins, 26, all of Jacksonville, N.C. - each were charged with four counts of assault. They were freed on $400 bond each.
White House press secretary Dee Dee Myers called the incident deplorable and said it lends no credence to military leaders who warned that lifting the ban would lead to violence against homosexuals.
"There have always been instances of bigotry against not only homosexuals but against other racial and ethnic minorities," she said Monday. "The president deplores it, but I don't think that is a reason not to take a step forward on a civil rights issue."
The victim, Crae Pridgen, 28, suffered cuts and bruises. He lost a tooth, had a black eye, swollen lip and cut ear.
He told police that the attackers mentioned Clinton.
Three other people who tried to break up the scuffle received minor injuries.
Pridgen came to Raleigh on Monday to meet with representatives of Gov. Jim Hunt, saying he would do whatever it takes to prevent more gay-bashing. Hunt was at the meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington.
Police Sgt. M.J. Woods said local officials would turn the case over to the FBI because the incident was a hate crime.