Last month’s murder (and attempted burning) of Navy sailor August Provost finally has someone on the hook for the death: fellow seaman Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Campos. He’s got 16 charges against him.
Murder. Arson. Unlawful entry. Theft. Wrongful possession. Oh, and this: “He also is charged with soliciting a civilian in San Diego to murder another sailor the day after Provost’s killing.”
WTF?
Navy investigators say Provost, 29, and Campos, 32, likely knew each other, but not well. They’re also standing by their first inclination: There’s no evidence Provost was killed because of his sexuality or race, despite accusations made by his family and local activists. (The latest rumor to fly around? That Provost’s killer murdered him to keep from being outed himself.)
How about we take this to the next level?
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Either way, it’s been a sad few weeks for all those involved. If this turns out not to be a hate crime, Provost’s family won’t be any less pained. And we’ve still lost one of our own.
DETAILS:
Navy officials accuse Campos of using hallucinogenic mushrooms several times between May 1 and June 2.
On June 13, he allegedly broke into the off-base home of a fellow service member in San Diego and stole an Xbox computer-game system, jewelry and a .45 caliber Kimber pistol. The same pistol was used to kill Provost, investigators allege.
On June 20, Campos was picked up for driving under the influence. About a week later, he faced administrative punishment from his Navy commanders.
At the time, Brown said, the Navy had not linked Campos to the home burglary.
About 11:30 p.m. June 30, Provost took his post at a guard shack along the driveway to the assault craft unit’s entrance.
Sometime before 3:30 a.m., Navy officials allege, Campos approached the guard shack, shot Provost several times and stole his 9mm Beretta service pistol. Campos then allegedly set fire to the shack – with Provost’s body still inside – using gasoline and a lighter.
“He apparently did it to destroy evidence,” Brown said.
Campos also is accused of planning to set fire to one of the unit’s landing craft, but he never made it into the compound.
galefan2004
No matter who asks for it (including elected officials) its simply not going to be considered a hate crime. I’m not even sure why it needs to be considered a hate crime other than that it will then have the words attached to it. This was a murder of an active duty soldier that was on duty at the time. If the murderer is convicted he is not getting out of jail in his life time anyways.
Helga von ornstein
“About 11:30 p.m. June 30, Provost took his post at a guard shack along the driveway to the assault craft unit’s entrance”, I don’t know about the rest of you but what I find disturbing about this is how one man overpowered and killed a guard and there was no video camera nor other person around.
Imagine the blow to the american psyche if only 4 terrorist had decided to storm the base not caring if they were killed but knowing the damage to the american sense of self security on american soil has now been breached.
My heart really goes out to the family here. This was a sad day indeed for Mr. Provost and the navy.
rick
THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A HATE CRIME. NONE, NADA, ZILCH.
GBM
SHUT THE FUCK UP RICK…But if he were a WHITE gay sailor would you be shouting like that BITCH…HUH?????
Pimp
I really don’t like the idea of being Gay but hey once they keep there space or respect your space and your rights why not leave them for GOD to judge who are we to take a life.
galefan2004
@Pimp: God will judge homophobic assholes, that think that being a “pimp” is cool because your women earn your money and you get to beat them when they don’t earn enough, much more harshly then he will ever judge any of their victims.
rick
@GBM: if he was white there would still be no evidence of a hate crime and i would say the same thing!