Murder charged in gay Boricua teen's death

Was homophobia behind the murder of a gay Puerto Rican teen days ago? This is what investigators are examining in the gruesome death of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado.

Police arrested a suspect in the killing of Lopez Mercado whose body had been found mutilated, decapitated, and dumped on the side of a local highway. According to local prosecutors, Juan A. Martinez Matos held a “deep-seated rage” against gays and may’ve slain Lopez Mercado after he mistook him for a woman. (Lopez Mercado had been dressed in ladies clothes when he first met Martinez Matos, said police).

Martinez Matos was charged earlier today with several counts including first-degree murder in the slaying of the 19-year-old college student and gay rights activist. Furthermore, Martinez Matos could be the first defendant to be applied a recently-signed bill that makes anti-gay attacks a federal hate crimes offense.

The murder of Lopez Mercado has touched a nerve not only on the island but in other areas of the U.S. As Vivirlatino noted several vigils in his memory are planned for this weekend:

Chicago
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
4-6 pm
Humboldt Park

Los Angeles
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
8pm-9:30 pm
West Hollywood Corner of Santa Monica and San Vicente

New York City
Sunday, November 22nd, 2009
7-9 pm
Christopher St. Piers (Tentative)

People are also post vigil information from across the U.S on this facebook page.

Image- dallasvoice.com
Online Sources- Vivirlatino, Facebook, philly.com, CNN, Voice of America