Prosecutors revealed Sunday there may be “no indication” the homicide of upstate New York transgender man Sam Nordquist was a hate crime as Gov. Kathy Hochul referred to as the accusations “sickening” and poured state assets into the probe.
Nordquist was allegedly tortured for greater than a month inside a motel till he died, however the Ontario County District Legal professional’s Workplace and state police stated among the alleged perps have been additionally members of the LGBTQ group.
“At this time we have no indication that Sam’s murder was a hate crime,” the district lawyer’s workplace and New York State Police stated in an announcement, in response to Spectrum Information.
“To help alleviate the understandable concern that his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and his assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+, and at least one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offense.”
5 individuals are going through homicide prices after Nordquist was allegedly punched, kicked, overwhelmed with sticks, canine toys, rope canes and belts – and assaulted with a desk leg and broomstick main as much as his demise on the Patty’s Lodge motel in Canandaigua the place he was staying, in response to courtroom paperwork.
His physique was later dumped in an empty subject in neighboring Yates County, authorities stated.
The 24-year-old sufferer confronted “repeated acts of torture and violence” that triggered his demise, New York State Police Captain Kelly Swift stated at a information convention Friday.
Nordquist’s household initially reported him lacking on Feb. 9 along with his corpse discovered three days later, prosecutors and police stated in Sunday’s assertion.
“We are still in the early stages of this investigation,” the 2 departments wrote.
“While significant evidence has been obtained, we are continuing to follow-up on leads brought by the State Police. We urge the community not to speculate into the motive as work to find justice for Sam,” the district lawyer stated.
New York residents Valuable Arzuaga, 38; Jennifer A. Quijano, 30; Kyle Sage, 33; Patrick A. Goodwin and Emily Motyka, each 19, have been charged with second-degree homicide and held with out bail throughout their arraignment.
Hochul on Sunday referred to as the Nordquist’s slaying “horrific and brutal.”
“The charges against these individuals are sickening and all New Yorkers should join together to condemn this horrific act. We are praying for Sam Nordquist’s family, community and loved ones who are experiencing unimaginable grief,” the governor stated.
“I have directed State Police to provide any and all support and resources to the District Attorney as they continue their investigation, including into whether this was a hate crime.”
