Curating the best of The Standards top-notch reporting, every Saturday. 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. Now its a huge trans event that kicks off the San Francisco Pride weekend. Although they were given the option of convicting the men of second-degree murder or manslaughter, they were unable to proceed past the first-degree murder deliberations. Jaron Nabors pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter and agrees to testify against his three friends in exchange for an 11 year prison term. The younger brother of one of three men accused of killing a Newark transgender teen testified Thursday that he had tried to rescue Gwen Araujo but had been stopped by one of the men and the. Vigils and marches seeking justice for Araujo were held in several San Francisco Bay Area cities. Nabors testified that Magidson strangled her with a rope and that Cazares struck her with a shovel,[11] but Nabors was returning from the garage and did not actually witness the act of strangulation. [31] Merl was concerned with cleaning Araujo's blood off the couch[30] and carpet before retreating to his room so the others would not see him crying.[23]. The presiding judge issued a gag order barring attorney from talking to the media. He is the younger brother of Ketan, a music producer in London. The fund's purpose was to support school-based programs in the nine-county Bay Area that promote understanding of transgender people and issues through annual grants. His first parole board hearing had just gotten underway in Chowchilla on Wednesday when he told the parole board he needed more self-help, including drug and alcohol treatment. Copyright 2023 KGO-TV. Transgender activists attended the trial and condemned the strategy to blame Araujo for her own death. The jury is unable to reach a guilty verdict and the judge declares mistrial. Traumatized by her daughters murder in the East Bay city of Newark, the ensuing trials and an onslaught of invasive media attention, Guerrero has had a hard time finding a job. They viciously beat and strangled Gwento death at a Newark house party on Oct. 4,2002, after they confirmed she was biologically male. [Gwen] lived every day of her life yearning and longing to be a girl in every sense of the word, so if anyone who didn't know her made her feel that way, why would she reveal that she is transgender? She lost her job as a legal assistant and ended up losing her home. Gwen Araujo was a 17-year-old transgender teenager who lived in Newark, Calif. with her mother, Sylvia Guerrero. NEWARK19E-C-18OCT02-MT-HO [61], Jos Merl was granted parole in 2016 with the support of Sylvia Guerrero. She taught them how to pick wild blackberries and catch salmon from the creek by their house, a place still close to her heart. [30] At some point, the assault resumed. The second trial began on May 31, 2005. The Alameda County coroner's report said Araujo died by strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. Merl and Magidson were sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 15 years. After she left, Nabors asked the other three "Could this be a dude?" Araujo's mom reports her missing to police. Especially in today's society, she would have been rejected if not harmed had she been so open about it. "[59], Michael Magidson and Jos Merl were sentenced in January to 15 years to life in prison, for second-degree murder. She was fearless, she was angry. [78][79][80] AB 2501 was introduced by Assemblywoman Susan A. Bonilla in partnership with Equality California. The messages offer a glimpse into the government crackdown that spurred a UN probe into human rights abuses. It was shocking, Guerrero said. But the murder of Gwen Araujo is still important today. Sylvia Guerrero had never heard the word transgender until four men murdered her daughter. One can debate the propriety of one choosing to identify with a gender other than the one they were born with. Guerrero foughtthe possible parole of Magidson but supported parole for Merel, while other family members want neither paroled. As they were burying her, the men continued to disparage her. Court adjourned Thursday before Nabors could begin describing the night of the slaying. On the night of Oct. 3, 2002, Araujo attended a party at a house rented by Jos and Paul Merl. Sylvia was relentless, Dufty said. She lived with relatives for a while and now shares a room with one of her grandchildren. It was just a passing thought, and no one took it seriously, he said. She was insistent that the justice system would not ignore or betray her daughter.. Gwen Araujo is born to Sylvia Guerrero and Edward Araujo. All Rights Reserved. [8] She began to grow her hair long and planned to undergo hormone treatment and surgery. He was awakened by loud voices and eventually emerged outside his room to observe a chaotic scene. Guerrero always knew Gwens relationship to her gender was different from other kids. | Olivia Cruz Mayeda/The Standard, By clicking Subscribe you confirm you have read and agree to our. In high school, Gwen would regularly ask Guerrero to give her friends advice on their relationships and drama at school. Guerrero looked after her 10 younger siblings while her parents worked, getting them ready for school and packing their lunches. She just wanted to jump into the crowd.. "I didn't understand. She was the oldest of 11 children to immigrant parents from Irapuato, Mexico. [61] Magidson was denied parole again in September 2019. On October 4, 2002, four young men brutally murdered a beautiful, 17-year-old transgender teenager named Gwen Araujo. "[22], After Araujo was brought back into the house, Magidson grabbed at her skirt and underwear in an attempt to expose her genitals. Noyola said she remembers it as mostly non-trans people, a handful of folks, angry and grieving over Gwens murder. "[15] According to Nabors, Magidson added "I don't know what I'm going to do", and Nabors replied, "Whatever you do, make sure you don't make a mess. The jury finds Michael Magidson and Jos Merl guilty of second-degree murder. Gwen Amber Rose Araujo (February 24, 1985 - October 4, 2002 [1]) was an American teenager who was murdered in Newark, California. "[54], During the closing statements of the second trial, Cazares' defense lawyer Tony Serra argued that the three defendants were "ordinary human beings" who were guilty, at most, of manslaughter for their role in the death in a "classic state of heat and passion". ABC7 New York 24/7 Eyewitness News Stream. How safe is your neighborhood? [52] Serra also argued that Cazares took no active role in killing her. [22][25][27] Emmanuel Merl later testified he walked to a convenience store to buy gum, then went to a friend's house to spend the night. With content streaming every single day, readers can turn to The Crime Center to fill their true crime needs. Two of the men she had a sexual encounter with. [53], To avoid a third trial, Cazares pleaded no contest to manslaughter on December 16, 2005,[60] and was sentenced to six years in prison,[61] with credit for time already served. [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. A month before Gwens murder, Guerrero decided to talk to Gwen about her future. Before Gwens death, Guerrero was a legal assistant and had a 401(k) pension account. Araujo also became an inspiration in the transgender community. "[14], The first trial ended in a mistrial on June 22 following nine days of deliberations, when the jurors were unable to reach a unanimous decision for the three men. Sylvia honors Gwen, and transgender victims of hate crimes everywhere, by speaking out. 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. On the night of Oct. 3, the men decided to confront Araujo about their suspicions during a party at the house Jose Merel shared with younger brother, Emmanuel, and older brother, Paul, who also previously engaged in sexual acts with Araujo. [69] The fund was closed sometime before September 2020. [46] Magidson's attorney said that his client was not biased[47] but had been shocked "beyond reason" to learn he had unwittingly had sex with a "man": a variant of the gay panic defense. The case attracted national attention, both good and bad. Her hair is dyed black and falls flat against her back. PLEASE VERIFY RIGHTS. In 2005, California Gov. Gwen Araujo was beaten to death by a group of men, two of them ex-lovers of hers, when they found out she used to be a he. Through this fund, Sylvia Guerrero and her family spoke in middle and high schools about transgender awareness and understanding. [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. Sylvia Guerrero has faced hardship since Araujo's death. [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. Im kind of worried Ill get pulled over, she said, bent over and laughing, but I roll deep with angels.. Magidson testified that Nabors admitted he had strangled Araujo. That's not a world in which I want to live or most people want to live in. Now at 58, she wears flip-flops and jean shorts. Dufty was elected as a supervisor in San Francisco a few months after Gwens murder and witnessed the community organizing that followed. On their way home, they purchased breakfast at a McDonald's drive-through window. The men became suspicious that Araujo was not biologically female because she did not let them touch her genitalia. [63] Cazares asked to begin serving his sentence after the birth of his third child, scheduled for March or April 2006, which was granted,[53] although Lamiero noted "it's difficult for me to entertain a request like that when Gwen Araujo is dead". [15][16], Nicole Brown, who was dating Paul Merl (Jos's older brother) and was acquainted with Araujo, said that she and Araujo had engaged in a physical fight after Brown challenged Araujo to strip for the men. Back in Tracy, Guerrero examined a broken taillight on her car while holding her daughters framed picture in her left hand. Sylvia is the mother of Gwen Araujo. Below, you'll find a timeline of how the life and death of Gwen unfolded. Paul Merl was quickly released because his girlfriend came forward to the . Brandon, then 13, and Michael, then 10, lost their sister and in many ways, their mother. [55], On September 8, the jury announced that it had reached verdicts on two of the three defendants. Activists decry the decision as a setback for transgender rights. Her mother recalls they both cried a lot that night but she eventually told her daughter she would support her transition. The day after the mistrial, a judge grants a request by the mother of Gwen Araujo to legally change her name from Edward Araujo Jr. to Gwen Amber Rose Araujo. Loves to Read. Watch the ABC7 Originals documentary, "Being Gwen: A Life and Death Story," streaming now in the video player below. [8], Araujo first met Michael Magidson, Jos Merl, Jaron Nabors, and Jason Cazares in late August or early September 2002. She says she is excited to return to actively working on the cause. The four defendants in the murder of Gwen Araujo are being sentenced to prison on January 27, 2006. Gwen Araujos brutal death two decades ago drew international attention and prompted the passage of a law in her name, as well as a movie about her life. [20] Brown suggested that one of them should inspect Araujo, and Magidson took Araujo to the bathroom. What Araujo did not know was that these four had already suspected that she was trans, and . "[15] Brown testified that she tried to comfort Merl after the discovery, saying "It's not your fault. The murder also brought disdain from far-right religious groups who condemned Araujo for living as a transgender woman. "When Gwen was murdered that night, it was the beginning of a life sentence for me and my family," Guerrero told the publication. On Tuesday, Sylvia Guerrero will step into the spotlight once again to keep her daughters legacy alive. Gwen was a vibrant transgender teenager who was murdered in Newark, California in October 2002. But, at the time, she didn't comprehend the change Araujo was going through. And if you or anyone you know is being bullied, call the Transgender Law Center for help at 415-865-0176. Cherished brother to Pearl and Jesus Serrano of CA, Rachel Araujo of Bakersfield, Brandon Guerrero-Bacot of Newark and Michael West of. Today marks the tenth anniversary of the brutal murder of transgender teenager Gwen Araujo in Newark, California. A driverless Waymo vehicle nearly drove itself right into a trench at a San Francisco construction site, an Instagram video posted Friday shows. As the escalator ascended to the street, Gwen transformed. Guerrero is the mother of slain transgender teen Gwen Araujo, 17, of Newark. On the evening of October 3rd, she attended a house party with a number of other people, including Jaron Nabors, Michael Madison, Paul Merel, and his brother Jose Merel. They are 22-year-old Michael Magidson, 22-year-old Jos Merl, 22-year-old Jason Cazares, and 19-year-old and Jaron Nabors. Gwen Araujo was born on February 24, 1985, in Brawley, California, to Edward Araujo and Sylvia Guerrero. I never heard of the word transgender until she died.". (AP Photo/Anda Chu, Pool) POOL PHOTO, Defendant Jose Merel listens to the testimony of his younger brother, Emmanuel Merel, during Jose Merel's murder trial in Alameda Superior Court on Thursday, April 21, 2004, in Hayward, Calif. Emmanuel Merel testified that he tried to push Eddie "Gwen" Araujo that he tried to push her out the door to safety in the chaos that followed the discovery that she was biologically male. This is the life and death story of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo. 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Anti-shock collar legislation has garnered widespread supportand controversyfrom animal welfare advocates. The day after the first trial ended in a mistrial, a court granted Araujo's mother's petition for a posthumous name change, requiring the defense lawyers to refer to the victim with female pronouns. "[15][24] Jos Merl became angry and struck her in the head with a can of food, denting the can and opening a cut on her head,[24] and then he struck her again with a frying pan. Bevan Dufty is the lead organizer for Tuesdays event and has known Guerrero for years. Here's what happened to Bay Area trans teen Gwen Araujo. Jose Merel hit her in the head with a frying pan and a can of soup. Nabors later testified that Jos Merl said that night, "I swear, if it's a f man, I'm gonna kill him. 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. The jury deadlocked 7-5 in favor of convicting Magidson on a first-degree murder charge. LGBTQ+ resources are available: abc7news.com/TakeAction, JetBlue plane bumps into another aircraft in JFK Airport's gate area, Father, son accused of animal cruelty after 26 cats found in LI home, NYC confronts the problem of unlicensed smoke shops. This is where I sleep now, she said, pointing to the bare floor of her sons living room. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Merl was confident that charges would be dropped. Her older sister, Pearl Sunseri, said Araujo let her hair grow out and started to wear makeup. NEWARK, Calif. (KGO) -- She was killed 20 years ago. I cant afford it.. Ive always loved San Francisco, Guerrero said. 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. [22] Brown testified that she warned Araujo that the men were "very angry", but upon exiting through the front door, Araujo was confronted and forced back inside the house by Magidson, Nabors, and Cazares. Initial coverage by several news media outlets described the victim as a cross-dressing man. In court, two of the men who strangled, beat and buried the trans teenager claimed gay panic.. Gwen Amber Rose Araujo (February 24, 1985 - October 4, 2002) [1] was an American trans teenager who was murdered in Newark, California at the age of 17. Her father was a mushroom farmer for the Campbell Soup Company in Pescadero, where she was raised. LGBTQ+ resources are available: abc7news.com/TakeAction. The elderly woman was a victim of recent storms. Guerrero grew up with zero knowledge of gender outside the binary. Guerrero sees her daughters legacy firsthand each time the Lifetime movie, A Girl Like Me: The Gwen Araujo Storyairs. 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. NEWARK, Calif. - The 2002 murder of Gwen Araujo marked a turning point in the fight for transgender rights. "She had no problem flirting.". When Araujo was killed, Newark Memorial High School was preparing to stage a play on Shepard's death and the community drew comparisons between what happened to Shepard and how Araujo was killed. HAYWARD / Witness tells of friends' anger at being duped / He HAYWARD / Araujo begged for mercy, witness says, THIS IS A HANDOUT IMAGE. Fund was closed sometime before September 2020 observe a chaotic scene she is excited to return to actively working the... Attorney Chris Lamiero announced he will seek a second trial began on May 31,.... Step into the government crackdown that spurred a UN probe into human abuses... 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