Gay Killer Released
The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, condemned the early release of Stephen Andrew Moller, who was convicted in June of 2008 in the death of 20-year-old Sean Kennedy. Sean's mother, Elke Kennedy, was informed of the release by automated message Wednesday night. Witnesses testified at trial that Kennedy's attacker shouted anti-gay slurs while punching Kennedy outside a Greenville, SC bar in May of 2007.
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"This adds insult to injury. To release a man just one-year after his sentencing in this heinous crime and to inform the victim's mother through an automated recording is despicable," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "Sean Kennedy was violently attacked for no other reason than his sexual orientation. This is a text book case of why we need to pass federal legislation that would bring stiffer penalties and provide local authorities with the full resources of the U.S. Justice Department to address vicious hate crimes."
"They say one thing and do something else," said Elke Kennedy, Sean's mother. "He should have served every single day of the already short sentence, instead he was released from prison one week early. Where is the justice?"U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. highlighted Sean Kennedy's case last week while testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of federal hate crimes legislation. Holder, the first time an Attorney General has testified in favor of this legislation, said Sean's death was an example of an "appalling crime" where "state prosecutions may not always fully vindicate Federal interests." Both Elke Kennedy and Joe Solmonese submitted written testimony at the hearing in support of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 909). To read the testimony, visit www.HRCBackStory.org. The legislation, which was passed in the U.S. House by a vote of 249-175 in April, would provide local police and sheriff's departments with federal resources to combat hate violence. The legislation is currently awaiting a vote in the U.S. Senate.
"Sean is among many American's who are targeted just because of who they are. These crimes not only harm individuals, they terrorize entire communities," said Solmonese. "After more than a decade and nine successful votes in Congress, there is no good reason for any delay on bringing hate crimes legislation to the President's desk. We must finally pass this bill and start the important steps to erasing hate in our country."U.S. Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), the Kennedy family's senator, recently wrote a shocking letter to local priests and pastors advocating against hate crime legislation. DeMint, who has regularly spoken out against the LGBT community, wrote the following in reference to hate crimes legislation: "Many pastors hesitate to explain that government policies have helped cause the decline of America's culture, morality and spirituality. … I am writing you today to remind you that religious principals and biblical teachings produced the values and polices that made America exceptional, prosperous, and good." The Matthew Shepard Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias motivated violence where the perpetrator has selected the victim because of the person's actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. It provides the Justice Department with the ability to aid state and local jurisdictions either by lending assistance or, where local authorities are unwilling or unable, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of violent crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury that were motivated by bias. It also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers, or to assist in state and local investigations and prosecutions of bias motivated crimes. To learn more about Sean Kennedy's story and HRC's working coalition to pass hate crimes legislation, visit www.FightHateNow.org. The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.
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I feel bad for Mrs. Kennedy, as this can only add to the pain of losing her son. I had a chance to meet her a couple weeks ago, and she is a lovely person. She’s also a fighter, and we should all be thankful to have someone like her on our side. I have a feeling that this latest slap in the face will only serve to motivate her to fight harder for what’s right.
I find Sen. DeMint’s letter to priests and pastors condoning their nonsupport for Hate Crimes legislation against LGBT appalling.
I have spoken against this type of crap by public figures and professionals in the helping professions several times. DeMint’s interpretation of Judaic and Christian Scripture against Gay and Bisexual men and women is an ignorant one. DeMint is from Bible Thumper country which makes him a Redneck Christian. Jesus, in the Christian conception and affirmed at the Council of Nicea, as propounded in the Nicene Creed, is both God and man at one and the same time. When Jesus walked and taught in Promised Land, he was speaking as God to man. He said nothing against Gay or Bisexual men and women at that time as reported in the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Therefore, God is not troubled with these relationships.
That a murderer is allowed to walk is most assuredly appalling and disinheartening. This whole business of concentrating on one’s gender preference and bedroom lovemaking practices has no bearing on loveing relationships. Should churchmen and lawmakers concentrate on promiscuity, yes, because of the breakdown in fidelity it creates within couples and that stability in the social context.
Matt you once raised how the Catholic Church views the underlying issue with me. I responded by pointing out the poorly constructed and received papal encyclical authorized by Paul VI, In Humanae Vitae, which condemned the use of contraception irresponsibly and caused an exodus of priests and religious. There remains an inherent contradiciton in the purpose of marriage, a sacrament for Catholics, that marriage is for procreation. That contradiction is that men and women have been married who have sworn to not have children or are incapable. The Catholic Church needs to wise up, stop relying on Augustine’s writings which were relevant in the early days of Christendom but makes little logical sense now. Augustine was apologizing for his long sullied history of promiscuity before his conversion which caused one son to issue from his out of wedlock relationship. Even as Bishop of Hippo he never married the woman who bore his son. Briefly, Augustine’s was a self-serving apology.
I am not the only Catholic who believes this way.
So sad that this whatever you want to call him has been released or will be. There is TOO much ill stuff going on in the world w/out worrying who is sleeping with who. I HOPE that SEAN is RIP and may GOD BLESS HIS MOTHER and give HER STRENGTH to MAKE IT THROUGH thse days.
I agree matt, I feel bad for the mom. and the senator is a dope.
This is an outrage. DeMint is one of the worst senators! He blocks unemployment legislation and now this. How could a killer get off so easily and then they slap the victims mother in the face with a cold automated call.
I too feel awful for Ms.Kennedy; this crime is nothing short of heinous and “Senator” DeMint should be ashamed of himself for the baseless comments he made to pastors and priests because, no matter what murder is murder and this criminal should be behind bars for the rest of his life.
My sentiment is the same as others – AN OUTRAGE! Of course my sympathies go out to family and friends and at the moment I already have disgust & anger for anyone that puts the gay community in an ill light. targeting one guilty party in particular. This story pumps that resolve to stop ANYONE that is so sick, inhuman, and just downright useless in the human contingent. This individual is quite aware there are growing numbers of people learning of his doings daily and agree he should be outed for his evil doings. Sean Kennedy’s sad story has indeed fortified my intentions while at the same time brings tears for what some are capable of – whether having direct involvement or other proceedings. We must do what we can to discourage & HALT such behavior toward those in the gay community – whether the sickness comes from those homophobic or just simply insane enough to believe it is “fun” to steal and attempt to destroy lives. Thank You Sean Kennedy for allowing me to use your tragedy for further exposing criminal behavior toward gays. I am so sorry for Mrs. Kennedy & hope she understands this post.