Cop recounts uncovering victim's body
By STAFF REPORTS
HAYWARD -- The digging began at daybreak, first with shovels then with small brooms, and soon law enforcement agents encountered the battered body of a transgender teen buried in a Sierra foothills grave, a Newark police detective testified Monday.

Detective David Parks took the stand as the fourth prosecution witness in the trial of three men charged with murdering the Newark 17-year-old -- who was born Eddie Araujo but was living as a young woman named Gwen at the time of the slaying in October 2002.

On trial at the Hayward Hall of Justice are 23-year-old Michael Magidson of Fremont, and Newark residents Jose Merel and Jason Cazares, both 24. They are charged with murder and a hate-crime enhancement.

Parks spent 20 minutes on the stand Monday. He testified that he rode with two other detectives and Jaron Nabors, who gave instructions where to find the body, to El Dorado County on Oct. 16, 2002.


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Same-sex couples may soon have equal rights
Apr 20 2004
By Louise Davies, Daily Post
GAY and lesbian couples in Merseyside could soon enjoy similar rights to husbands and wives if the new Civil Partnership Bill is passed.

If the legislation is given the go-ahead by the House of Lords, same-sex couples would be allowed to register their commitment in a civil ceremony and receive pension and property entitlements.

They would also have the chance to gain parental responsibility for each other's children and an exemption from testifying against each other in court.

Julie Waring, family law specialist at Morecroft Urquhart, in Dale Street, said: "At present, when one same-sex partner dies, the other can be penalised by things like inheritance tax or rights of succession.


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Massachusetts Court Urged to Stay Same-Sex 'Marriage' Ruling
(CNSNews.com) - Several conservative law groups plans to file a petition Tuesday, asking the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts to stay its decision legalizing same-sex "marriage."


The petition essentially asks the court to wait until Massachusetts citizens can have their say on a controversial issue.


"In order for the citizens of this state to be heard on this very important matter, the Supreme Judicial Court should defer to and respect the important constitutional process that is now underway," said Chester Darling, president of the Center for Preservation of Constitutional Rights.


The petition asks the Court to stay its decision in Goodridge vs. Department of Public Health. As a result of that ruling, same-sex couples will be allowed to get valid marriage licenses in Massachusetts beginning on May 17, 2004.