As if the Sunday morning murder of Anthony J. Perkins, the gay D.C. man found shot to dead in his car, weren’t enough terrible news this holiday, here’s word that 53-year-old Don Belton, a Indiana University assistant professor and accomplished writer, has been stabbed to death with a 10-inch blade.
Belton’s alleged killer has already confessed to police. He’s Michael J. Griffin, 25, and he was, apparently, Perkins’s new lover. Who also had a girlfriend. And served in the Marines. This has weird Don’t Ask Don’t Tell/sexual confusion/rage written all over it. And as you can tell from the above Fox69 news report, there are already rumblings of a “gay panic” defense.
Michael J. Griffin, 25, of Bloomington told police he visited Don Belton on Sunday to confront the 53-year-old assistant professor of English over two alleged assaults, the probable cause affidavit said.
An argument and scuffle ensued. Griffin told police he stabbed Belton with a 10-inch military-style knife after Belton failed to “show or express any type of feeling that what had taken place was a mistake,” the affidavit said.
Griffin was being held without bond Tuesday in the Monroe County Jail on a charge of murder. An initial court hearing was set for today.
A friend who came to Belton’s home in Bloomington on Monday found his body in the kitchen, authorities said. Police who were called to the scene found both doors unlocked and no signs of forced entry. Nothing was missing, police Lt. David Drake said.
Drake said Belton was stabbed “at least five or six” times in the back and several times in the front of the torso.
The affidavit said police found Belton’s journal, which contained an entry saying that he was “very happy” that someone named Michael had entered his life. Police later received a call from Griffin’s girlfriend saying she thought her boyfriend might be involved in the slaying. Officers who searched Griffin’s home Monday night found the knife believed to have been used in the killing, Drake said.
The affidavit said Griffin had bought the knife before serving as a Marine in Iraq.
Sad, sad stuff.
For now, we have only Griffin’s word to go on, which is that Belton raped him, in front of his girlfriend, and the two were too drunk to defend themselves. Or, another possibility: They had consensual sex, and Belton didn’t feel so great about it afterward. We may never know the truth.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Fitz
I’m not going to make excuses for a murder.. but I also am not going to ignore the possibility that the professor was a perp. There is too much of a power differential with a student and a professor.. even over the age of 18. This happened to me at undergrad school, and I made a HUGE thing about it. (but, to my credit, I did not shoot the asshole). I did show up at his place, drunk, at like 2 in the morning and wake his family up.
terrwill
Methinks that if indeed the Prof “raped” this guy in front
of his GF, she would have been a wee bit more descriptive in
her complaint to the PD than she “thought her BF may be
involved in the killing”………………
dkbuth
Sorry to hear what happened to you, Fitz, but that power dynamic was not in play here. Griffin was not a student.
Chitown Kev
This thread should be interesting. In fact, it already is.
Fitz
Mea culpa. I thought the alleged killer was at the school.
terrwill
No. 4 · Chitown Kev: We need something to burn up these
threads, I thought all the dumbasses (like me) who didn’t
take this week off would be sitting here posting all day
long, cause there ain’t anything else to do……….
FakeName
Griffin’s hot. Too bad about the whole “stabbed a guy to death” part.
terrwill
No. 7 · FakeName: You are sick, demented, and twisted…
that being said I kinda sorta agree……… : P
Tonyboy
The 28 year age difference is enough to sugggest there was some sort of power dynamic at play.
Chitown Kev
To go there or not to go ther…that is the question.
Chitown Kev
Shit, where’s afrolito at?
FakeName
terrwill: You are sick, demented, and twisted…
So what’s your point?
How long after he’s acquitted on a gay panic defense will it be before he shows up on Active Duty? You know that pervy Dink Flamingo will be sniffing around soon…
TonyBoy: The 28 year age difference is enough to sugggest there was some sort of power dynamic at play.
According to the report, the alleged sexual assault took place while Griffin was too drunk to fight back. There’s no indication of a power dynamic, either academic or otherwise.
terrwill
No. 12 · FakeName: New set of eyeballs for Christmas?????
They need adjusting! read the whole post, I was agreeing with
you( in a sick, demented, twisted kind of way…….)
Fitz
Oh, you are right. Where is Afrolito to tell me that this was all a race issue, and that my noticing the power differential proves that I am a KKK member?
Chuck Martens
Looks like Queerty should stop hating Obama and spend some time learning to spell, or edit! Shot to dead?
Chitown Kev
@Fitz
No, not at all…I don’t need afrolito for this.
There’s probably nothing racial about the murder itself.
But…if this was a white professor and a black murderer or maybe even if Griffin’s murderer was black, this thread would already have ~125 posts, Terrwill wuld have already dropped one of his “subhuman savage bombs,” there would be 50 posts talking about the “horrific, virulent homophobia of the black community, and about 25…no, make it 35 posts calling the murderer a nigger.
And you damn sure wouldn’t see any posts talking about how cute the murderer is.
Jaroslaw
I think Griffin’s hot too but that is the trouble with our society. Looks trump almost everything. And yes, I’m bitter because I’m less than average looking but at least a half a step above homely. 🙂
Chitown Kev
“if Griffin’s murderer” s/b “if Belton’s murderer.”
Viking
Huh? Where did the report say that Belton raped Griffin in front of his girlfriend? And why do the rports vary as to “sexual assault” and “two sexual assaults”?
terrwill
No. 16 · Chitown Kev: Ok maybe you can render us a new moniker for the ugandan legislators who are engineering genocide for the ugandan Gays. Instead of subhuman savage (you forgot to include “scumbags”). Please feel free to suggest a new moniker which would not offend your sympathies for these subhuman savage scumbags……………
I am an “equal opportunity” poster in my detest for those who wish nothing but death and pain on our community. I offer no quarter nor shelter towards any other person, persons, or groups who spew their hatred towards us…………
james_cambridge
Right. A big Muscular Marine who was trained to kill by the U.S. Military was raped by a a milquetoast professor twice his age. His story sounds oddly familiar…
http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/why_do_all_these_homosexuals
FakeName
Where did the report say that Belton raped Griffin in front of his girlfriend?
About 30 seconds into the video the reader says that Belton allegedly “sexually assaulted and raped” Griffin in front of his girlfriend and that Griffin and the g/f were too drunk to fend him off. Not sure why some reports are saying there was more than one attack; maybe there’s some differentiation between “sexual assault” and “rape”?
Chitown Kev
@Terrwill…
I actually agree with, you are pretty much an “equal opportunity” poster.
However, I’m standing by what I said…if the murderer were black, you would have dropped that bomb in post #2. And I doubt that you would have “kinda sorta” agreed that the murderer was cute. Even if he looked like a tasty piece of shockolatte like Mechad Brooks. (not that I’m denying that Griffin is cute…he kinda is).
terrwill
No. 23 · Chitown Kev: Sorry FAIL! You are insuating that I am racist and have a grudge against the blacks. I despise having to revert to the old chestnut “some of my best friends…..” but yes, they are indeed are. My missives are as stated equal opportuinty. I do not care if you are white, black, male, female, et all. You aim your hate at the Gays, I will return same. I am sorry I call a spade a spade (there I go again, you are thinking!) I use my “colorful” vocabulary to attempt to convey my despising of those who hate every fiber of our being……
Enron
I agree, what he did is wrong (he admit to it), he should serve the time. Seriously though I saw his picture on Rod 2.0 and I couldn’t help but lust after him, he’s hot and I want to see him shirtless and on morning goods! Why did he have to do this though? I think he felt conflicted with what he did with the professor, probably been in the closet most of his life and then this happened.
Its possible someone also found out about the relationship and he thought in his stupid pretty boy mind to prove to that person or persons that he is not gay was to kill the professor. Rumors probably started spreading on campus too.
Suzie to Tina: Hot and handsome Michael J. Griffin is gaaaaaay?
Tina to Suzie: OMG yes Suzie, like totally
Suzie to Tina: Darn, I wanted him.
Chitown Kev
@Terrwill
I’m not insinuating anything.
I have seen far too many of these threads on Queerty where the perpatrator of crime against gay people was black and that’s typically what happens (and occasionally I’ll even join y’all in those situations, crawling right up to the line where I go all hoodrat my damn self).
I despise crimes against gay people and I really despise the homophobia of the black community; any regular commenter on the gay blogs can tell you that about me.
But I equally despise racism. And I have never seen an extrapolation of crime such as Griffin’s to a commentary on “the white community” (even though this is Indiana). That’s what I would see if this murderer was black.
I stand by what I said.
terrwill
No. 26 · Chitown Kev: I defy you to find an example of my saying anything racist towards any black who has not spewed vile poo against the Gay community. I despise blacks who seem to forget that ’bout 40 years ago they were not even allowed to drink at the same fountain or piss in the same urinal as whites. Or cunts like Bernice King who for all practical purposes opens and spits in the graves of her Mother and Father every time she opens her vile mouth. I can go on and on towards blacks who hate on us. You will not find me going off on blacks for being black…….Do not paint me with the racist brush, the paint won’t stick……….
John from England(used to be just John but there are other John's)
@ Chitown
Agree about what you’ve posted.
How tame this post is because they guy is cute and white? Oh well. At least the posters here are consistent.
Chitown Kev
@Terrwill
I’m taking your word for it, I generally like your posts however…
Like many white people, you probably are not even aware that you have that bias in the particular case being discussed on this thread. I’m aware of the dynamic, I see it all the time here in Queerty, and so do a lot of gay black folks.
But I do have to challenge you on this
“I defy you to find an example of my saying anything racist towards any black who has not spewed vile poo against the Gay community.”
So if a black person DOES say some “vile poo against the Gay community” you WILL say something racist?
Aw hell, I can’t judge you on that too harshly, sheeit, I’ve been known to go there myself…I am from the East Side of Detroit, after all.
Fitz
Once the homohatred comes out, any pretense of being PC, or even just fair, is out the window for me. People use homophobia to dehumanize us, and therefor justify amazing cruelty. Once someone goes there, I have no problem hitting below the belt in any way I possibly can.
But in general, I must say… the room could do with a little switch to decaf. 🙂
ganymeade
I have a friend who is as nelly as tinsel on a tree and would always go on about how every gay wanted to rape the poor thing while he was pressing his thigh into mine and grabbing me to do a 5 minute squeeze hug. You see, he is as str8 as an Arizona hwy. Not a gay bone in his little body. He just had been an escort in Key West for two years and was on his jr high, hs and college wrestling teams and did his nails, moisturizer and talked about which guys in sports were the hottest. He claims that he was raped in college and was too drunk to fend it off. I really think that he, like the murderer here, was too guilt ridden and conflicted to deal with the gay coursing through his very veins. My friend, who is actually quite sweet, if not conflicted and in denial, is now in a faux marriage and decided not to kill the gay inside by killing the nearest gay he knew. I doubt that this tragic professor was assaulting this poor “victim” if the prof wrote in his diary about how this great person had just came into his life.
Just saying. Gay panic, oui, Gay rape, non. He has plenty of time for the gay now, coz I doubt this cutie will be acquitted.
FakeName
Chitown Kev, I promise, the very next time Queerty puts up a story about a hot black murderer, I’ll call him hot no matter what the race of the victim is.
terrwill
No. 29 · Chitown Kev:
So if a black person DOES say some “vile poo against the Gay community” you WILL say something racist?
I will certainly post as sharp an attack as I can muster up at said time, based on their spewing the vile poo towards the Gay community. NOT based on their being black!
I kinda think we are on the same page here………..
Chitown Kev
@Terrwill
Yeah, we are…
AlwaysGay
Why are gay people so mindless?
There are gay people commenting on this story who have been on this site many times and have seen stories like this yet they comment about a supposed power differential against the haterosexual killer. The fact is almost all anti-gay hate crimes are perpetrated by heterosexuals under the age of 35 and their gay victims usually are older than they are. There have been 5 murders of gay people reported in the last three days (three beaten and two stabbed) and all of the victims were older than the haterosexual killers.
Heterosexuals ALWAYS fallback on sex when trying to undermine gay people. Sex plus gay people equals a lot of bad things to the haterosexual. So even if it has nothing to do with sex the haterosexual will trot out sex and try to connect it to gay people because it will automatically sway other haterosexuals into believing them.
romeo
@ AlwaysGay #35: And your blanket statement “why are gay people so mindless?” helps you get your point across how?
Josh
There is absolutely a power differential between a burly young marine and a meek middle-aged professor who can’t lift heavy objects (I knew Don in Philadelphia, and he was unable to help me move to a new apartment). Why are people denying that?
Same Crap
Damn. If Osama Bin Laden looked one of the twinks on seancody.com site, I swear there would be gays cheering 9-11.
FakeName
There is absolutely a power differential between a burly young marine and a meek middle-aged professor who can’t lift heavy objects…. Why are people denying that?
The power differential suggested here is not one of physical strength. We’re discussing the power differential between a professor and a student. But since Griffin wasn’t a student it’s immaterial.
If Osama Bin Laden looked one of the twinks on seancody.com site, I swear there would be gays cheering 9-11.
No one appears to be “cheering” for Griffin.
Chitown Kev
@Always Gay
100% agreed.
terrwill
No. 38 · Same Crap: Actually one of the 9/11 hijackers was kinda twinkishly cute. I would have liked to fuck jhiad right out of him, made him scream “Allah sucks my cock” and then drop him off at any NYC firehouse, where I am sure those guys would have come up with some creative uses for the jaws of life …………………..
B Damion
Everyone makes valid points. this is just another situation of a closeted gay man taking out his internal struggle with self out on others. If your str8 your str8 if your gay your just gay. Gay thoughts,dreams n all dam it.
Josh
FakeName, Yes, I was trying to be sarcastic, just because I’d lost my temper after having seen too many comments that made accusations against Don. Apologies for the snarky tone, which was not appropriate for such a somber topic.
Sad
I got to say this blog is so racist and abhorrent. Here is a sad tragic story about a black gay man MURDERED by his white lover but the white gays don’t care. However, if this crime was the REVERSE I agree there would be a lot of racial slurs, claims that blacks are homophobic. It is so interesting understanding how incredibly racist the white LBGT community is in the USA. Yet, white gays want support from black gays? I doubt this sad story will be reported in the gay media it certainly will not be a big story probably a SIDE BAR kind of a story. This is so tragic yet some men here are so racist they are fixating on a killer’s so called apperance. WOW shocking and just plain disgusting!
FakeName
Hurling bullshit accusations of racism doesn’t make anyone actually racist. The story has been reported on Advocate.com on the 29th. Your thinking that statements about the murderer’s appearance mean those making the statements are racist is an embarrassment to yourself.
And how by the way is your assumption about how white people would react if the races were reversed any less racist than what you’re accusing others of?
ezky
get the facts straight: griffin was not a student
SG
Not sure if someone has already pointed this out in the comments, but there is a third possibility: that Belton did nothing at all and was simply killed by this batshit insane psycho fuck. It could be over money. It could be over anything.
Tackle
@ SAD
Agree with you 100% percent.
And like some of the posters said, if this killer was white, racial names against blacks would be tossed up and down this board.
And the gay white anthem of how homophobic the black community is. Unaware that MOST gay bashings and murder in the U.S. are committed by white men.
Helga von ornstein
What saddens me most about this case is how it reminds me of a good friend, Dr. Phillip Franson, a professor at UCLA, who was killed back in the early 1980’s by a rough trick. Dr. Franson was a very well liked and loved professor but he also had many shortcomings when it came to sex and common sense. He would pick up $20 tricks off of downtown LA skid row streets and go home for S&M sex with these people. He was found strangled to death by his housemate with both hands tied behind his back. His housemate told the police that was normal sex for Dr. Franson.
I have no idea what turns professionals on to out right low-lives such as this POS but I will say this: Mr. Griffin has the look of a meth/crack addict more than a mixed up ex-marine. Take the gay panic defense B/S somewhere else pal, I ain’ta buying it.
Chitown Kev
@Sad
This story has already been posted in the Advocate and other major gay blogs…
And, I don’t think that the white gay community is “incredibly racist” at all. I simply spoke of the responses on this blog and this blog alone.
THE WISE FAMILY
THE WISE FAMILY says:
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
December 31, 2009 at 11:45 am
Don was a very humble person if you got to know him. This murder comes as a huge shock to our family. Our family loved Don dearly. I am one of the many cousins that Don has. I would like everyone to know that the family doesn’t believe that the story that Michael has told is true. THE FAMILY LOVES YOU DON R.I.P. WE PRAY THAT THE MEDIA LET’S YOU R.I.P. TOO.
Leigh Harold
Leigh Wise-Harold (cousin of Don Belton) Wise Family in Philadelphia, PA
Don Belton, son of Doris Wise and Charles Belton, was a beautiful person! He was a very talented, intelligent, and loving person that encouraged his family to love each other, to seek education and to learn their culture. He would never hurt anyone! The lies that are being told by that monster that murdered him are just that! LIES! What was done in the dark will come to the light! He killed my cousing to cover up the fact that he was GAY! We pray that Michael J. Griffin will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law! His life meant nothing to him but it meant so much to so many!
Rest in Peace Don! We loved you then, we love you now and we will love you forever!
From Bloomington
Here is a website set up by people who knew Don Belton and offer more complete details than the media is offering. Our community is sickened not only by this horrific act and loss of such a valued and loved member of our community, but also at how the media has already maligned Don.
http://justicefordonbelton.com/
What?
Good lord I wish these comments were shocking to me, but I expected them.
The reverse has occurred and was posted and as expected the comments are tame and some even in favor of the homophobic murderer.
The man’s lover murdered him and not one ill word has been said against the murder because he’s white.
Jesus Christ. Some of you need serious help.
FakeName
The man’s lover murdered him and not one ill word has been said against the murder because he’s white.
You’re an idiot. No one here is praising the murderer because he’s white. No one here is being silent because the murderer is white. Stop wasting so much of your life making yourself a victim by imagining racism where none exists. Just like the gay person who cheapens anti-gay bigotry by crying “homophobia” when none exists, people of color make it that much harder for real victims of racism to be taken seriously when they manufacture outrage in situations like this. But if you really need validation of your alleged victimization this badly because posters to an anonymous Internet blog aren’t expressing sufficient white rage:
Dear Michael,
Bad whitey! You killed a black man! No cookie for you!
All better?
Sad
This website queerty is so racist just look at the headline jumping to CONCLUSIONS already. Why couldn’t the headline just state that professor Belton was murdered. The question mark by the moderators at this website implies that they are siding with the white criminal here. WOW can’t say I am that surprised. The hypocrisy and racism of white gay men is so abhorrent.
Sad
FakeName, you are so immature and racist! Your crass attitude here is disgusting. You refuse to read critically the arguments people are talking about. On this racist blog white gay bloggers are SIDING with the alleged criminal yet have no SYMPATHY for the DECEASED a GAY MAN. The gay man in this case happens to be AFRICAN AMERICAN and the APATHY IS DUE TO RACISM. Are you so dense you can’t see the blatant racism here? Open you eyes and read the comments by the white gay bloggers here! Shame!
robert
chitown kev sad and tackle your responses are on point. the ignorant unnuanced responses to what you wrote says volumes about the shallowness of discourse on this blog
FakeName
This website queerty is so racist just look at the headline jumping to CONCLUSIONS already. Why couldn’t the headline just state that professor Belton was murdered. The question mark by the moderators at this website implies that they are siding with the white criminal here.
So blinded by your desperate need to be a victim that you can’t even comprehend simple English. The question marks denote that each statement is a possible motive for the murder. It has nothing to do with “siding” with the murderer but you’re too determined to find racism where none exists to understand it.
FakeName, you are so immature and racist!
The only immaturity here is from those who idiotically believe that anyone is “siding” with a murderer. The only racism here is from those who are so mired in their victimhood that they accuse others of racism where none exists.
On this racist blog white gay bloggers are SIDING with the alleged criminal yet have no SYMPATHY for the DECEASED a GAY MAN.
No one is siding with the murderer, you fucking tool.
Are you so dense you can’t see the blatant racism here? Open you eyes and read the comments by the white gay bloggers here! Shame!
I can see your blatant racism, because you’re assuming that everyone who posts something you disagree with is a) racist and b) white. Assuming the race of others is racist! Shame!
What?
FakeName you assumed my race. I didn’t state what race I am anywhere in my comment.
Hypocrite.
Not that I expected you not to be an idiot or anything. Just thought I needed to point out your ignorance since you’re too slow to pick up on it yourself.
Lukas P.
How dare you assume that I am or that anyone else here is “white” without us declaring a “race”!
FakeName
FakeName you assumed my race. I didn’t state what race I am anywhere in my comment.
I assumed nothing about your race. I assumed that you were more interested in wallowing in victimhood by declaring racism when none exists, and you have done nothing to disabuse me of that assumption. Whatever your race, color or ethnicity, you’re still a moron and a faux-victim. Grow the fuck up.
dpbfeb
FakeName, Can you really state that the story and the posts are leaning towards a blame the victim game? If we go back to the story about the raid on the Fort Worth bar where one of the police officer said that someone grabbed his crotch. I didn’t read anyone question if that was true. If the police officer who stated that was attractive and the headline didn’t read. Police raid, Sexual grope? or unjust police.
Maybe it’s not racism but there is a difference in the way the stories are told.
What?
How can I be a victim wallowing in victimhood if nothing has happened to my race to make me a victim?
Again you made an assumption about my race and you got shutdown by your own argument.
Then you continue to be hypocritical by telling me to grow up when you’re acting like a child and angry on the internet. You are amusing I’ll give you that much. Thanks for the laugh.
What?
Oh and FYI I made no mention of racism in my post. I said “…just because he’s white.”, that’s not racism, kiddo.
You’re the one overreacting to every little thing posted and basically being exactly what you’re accusing others of. You’re real quick to pull the race card to support your argument and then accusing others of doing so.
What?
This was all in response to the child known as FakeName, just in case there’s any confusion.
FakeName
DPBFEB> FakeName, Can you really state that the story and the posts are leaning towards a blame the victim game?
I assume you mean “are not leaning”? No one is blaming the victim. If there were no picture of the deceased and his race was unknown, no one would be making these bizarre accusations that people are siding with the murderer. No one would be so blinded by phony indignation that they’d think the presence of a question mark in the headline means Queerty is blaming the victim.
What?: How can I be a victim wallowing in victimhood if nothing has happened to my race to make me a victim?
You’re making yourself a victim by perpetuating the climate of phony victimhood. But hey, if it makes you feel better about your miserable faux-victim self to pretend I did something, have at it. I’d laugh right back at you but I’m feeling too much pity for your pathetic self.
FakeName
What?: Oh and FYI I made no mention of racism in my post. I said “…just because he’s white.”, that’s not racism, kiddo.
It’s not racism to assign motives to posters based on the race of the murderer? You really are that stupid, that you believe this? Wow, you’re more hopeless than I thought.
Leigh Harold
TO HELL WITH BLACK OR WHITE!!!!
RIGHT NOW I DON’T GIVE A DAMN!
MY COUSIN WAS MURDERED BY ANOTHER HUMAN WHO HE WAS NOT TRYING TO HURT AND THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS!
I DON’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT COLOR HE IS, ALL I WANT IS JUSTICE FOR MY LOVED ONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE TODAY! WHAT IF IT WAS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER!
What?
Whatever you say, FakeName.
Could you be any more rabid? You only served as a tool to prove the points of many in this silly argument. Nice job.
FakeName
“Whatever” right back atcha, dickweed.
hoosier8
Oh, a gay man is going to rape a Marine? Bullshit, if he’s not sentenced to death there will be a revolution!
Glenn
Gay racism is alive and will be for the foreseeable future. When we hear a story of a man who happens to be black who is murdered by an attractive white man, the white man’s allegations are taken as factual by the majority of the white gay community. As a gay person of color, when any GLBT person is murdered I feel so hurt for our community, but it’s sad to see that if I were murdered by a handsome white man, whatever allegations – and that’s exactly what they are, allegations – he makes are taken as fact against me and my character. I really wish white people could feel how we feel when you treat us like this.
Sad
Yes, once the gay bloogers see that the victim was a black gay man and the alleged killer was an attractive white gay we know gay racism exists! No wonder so many black gay people stay away from the white gay community. I don’t blame them after reading so many racist anti black comments on this blog. Some gay bloogers are so blinded by their own prejudice they are sidling with an ex marine, and yet ignore the victim that was brutally murdered with a ten inch knife. White supremacy doesn’t just exist in the straight white community it also exists in the white gay community as well.
Fitz
Yes Sad, that must be it. I must be a racist with a KKK robe in my hall closet because I wonder about the age and power differential.
Same Crap
“Bullshit, if he’s not sentenced to death there will be a revolution”
Bullshit! Who will the racist white gays jerk off to if he is executed? That will be the riot.
Same Crap
“….I wonder about the age and power differential.”
Frankly, it’s a stupid think to have a thought exercise over. And what power differential?
Steve Scott
Mike also was active in theater in high school. And had gay friends. And was considered a gentle and friendly young man.
So…in speculating that he was a Marine, and the Corps somehow inculcated or magnified homophobia in him, you overlook the possibility that Mike wasn’t completely uncomfortable with his sexuality, and that Bolton may have indeed taken advantage of him. Consensual sex on one occasion doesn’t necessarily mean that ALL subsequent sex is consensual.
A possibility:
Mike had willingly engaged in oral sex with Bolton, but Bolton had taken it to anal sex without Mike’s consent and while Mike was under the influence of drugs.
Did this happen? Who knows? Perhaps not. If one speculates scenarios damning Mike, why not speculate some that refuse to demonize him?
Note that Mike has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and possibly suffered a concussive brain injury in Iraq when an IED went off near his Humvee. He was medically discharged and is deaf in one ear. Given the documentation that concussive brain injury of that nature often leads to impulsive and violent behavior in professional athletes involved in impact sports and veterans…do any of you want to consider that a possible mitigating factor?
In pointing out that Bolton was stabbed to death with a ten inch knife, is that somehow meant to suggest that such an act is worse than being stabbed to death with a four inch knife?
Same Crap
Are you his defense atty, Steve? Is any of what your based on fact or spec. Nice attempt at rehabing the rep of a killer.
“…do any of you want to consider that a possible mitigating factor?”
Look, it’s truly unfortunate that he or anyone went to fight in that meat grinder that is Iraq and suffered injuries. But no, I wouldn’t consider it at all.
Same Crap
And it’s Belton. When your smear a dead guy as a possible rapist, you should at least get the accomplished writer, academic, and member of the gay community’s name right.
Fitz
Steve Steve Steve… don’t you know that if you don’t jump to be on the side of every AA person in every situation that you are a racist?
Same Crap
I think imagining a non-existent power differential doesn’t make one a racist, but rather, makes one, well, not terribly bright.
Ugh
I have to agree that I found the headline strange. Had a white 53 year old professor been murdered by a 25 year old black marine I think the phrasing of the headline, which is written as if to encourage speculation and debate as to the professor’s culpability, would have been regarded as being highly insensitive. There is, I think, an amount of grace that would have been extended to Professor Belton if he were white that would have made the idea of his being a rapist of a U.S. soldier half his age seem ridiculous, rightly or wrongly. I do think instead that his being black makes it easier for most people to imagine him as a predator, despite the difference in age and apparent strength, and in defiance of evidence that casts doubt on a sexual assault.
Almost Dorothy
The only power dynamic at play here was the murderer with the 10-inch blade. However, the size of the blade shouldn’t be an issue. The act of the solider is the point. It is absurd (and offensive) to claim that a power differential may have ’caused’ this attack. Since when is being a professor or a smart person justification for being murdered. Professors are human. So are murderers. Neither have magical power over the other. If someone is messed up in the head, blame the person who is messed up in the head, i.e. the murderer!
And, if the marine was raped, which is possible despite the fact he is a marine, murder is still no justification for this act.
bill duncan
Don Belton was my cousin and he was loved very much by his family and friends.I don’t know what exactly happened,but the last time I checked,MURDER IS MURDER and I am appalled at the way HIS MURDER is trying to be justified in the media.We have a justice system in this country and though it is not perfect,it is in place and that is where our disputes should be resolved. Don didn’t deserve this vicious death and I hope justice prevails in this matter!!!!! RIP DON BILLY
FakeName
Had a white 53 year old professor been murdered by a 25 year old black marine I think the phrasing of the headline, which is written as if to encourage speculation and debate as to the professor’s culpability, would have been regarded as being highly insensitive.
Only by people who are so overly sensitive that everything they see or hear is perceived by them as a slight. The headline is not suggesting that the victim has any culpability in his death. The headline is presenting the two prevailing theories about the killer’s motive. Only those who are most vigilant in presuming slights where none exist would read the headline as Queerty’s suggesting the victim was in any way responsible for his own death.
I do think instead that his being black makes it easier for most people to imagine him as a predator
That’s nothing but your own projections onto others and is indicative of your own racial issues, that you would assume that a victim of a different race would automatically trigger a different reaction.
Maggie
Don Belton was my teacher. He was a fantastic and generous and extremely sensitive man. He would never hurt anyone.
gay-kinda-sorta
What the hell Queerty? How the hell did this grammatical tangle of errors get posted? Is the editor drunk? Perhaps he is otherwise occupied?
Sad
The headline is proof of the racism of the Queerty blog editors. The lack of respect for Don Belton’s family and friends by the Queerty staff isn’t surprising. I wouldn’t be surprised if Fake Name is perhaps a member of the Queerty staff. I am so sick of these racist gay hypocrites that “claim” the LGBT community is for all gays. However, when tragedy occurs the truth emerges and right now the gay racism on this blog is the proof that Queerty is racist.
FakeName
The headline is proof of the racism of the Queerty blog editors. The lack of respect for Don Belton’s family and friends by the Queerty staff isn’t surprising.
You’re an idiot and a professional victim. The headline doesn’t mention race. Any racial implication in the headline is located nowhere other than your own race-baiting brain. No one has disrespected Don Belton’s friends and family except those who out of their manufactured outrage have reduced him to nothing other than his race. Same exact story in the same exact words with a dead white man and you wouldn’t be whipping up this faux-frenzy. The only reason Belton matters to you at all is because of the color of his skin. Racist.
Deep down inside, you’d hate it if racism actually went away because then you’d have nothing on which to base your core identity. Get some help.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Fake Name is perhaps a member of the Queerty staff.
Unfortunately for your race-baiting paranoia I have no association with Queerty beyond reading and commenting and tossing the occasional tip via email.
Concerned For Truth
Due respect to you, Steve Scott, but I think the problem is that your speculation further maligns a man who has been accused of sexual assault but who was murdered without being permitted to give his side of the story.
Mr. Scott, what concerns many of us is that all speculation in this case comes from a story told by Don Belton’s murderer. Don Belton will never get to tell his side of it. We can hope that his journal might have clues, that Griffin’s girlfriend or other witnesses might be able to give their accounts, etc.
But, in the end, the one you’re speculating about, and in such a vile manner, has been killed by the same person who is telling such terrible stories. Mr. Scott, your speculations are cruel. Griffin will have his day in court. He will get to say whatever he likes about Don Belton. I have no doubt that he will say whatever he can think of to excuse himself. But you, Mr. Scott, have no right to pile further unjustified libel onto the grave of a murdered man.
dpbfeb
No. 89 · Sad : If you think about it when was the last time you’ve heard or have seen the majority Gay community claim to want to represent “all” Gay people. Look at the ads. Look at the “hot” models and actors etc. That tells you what the mainstream Gay media think of people of color. I take what I can get from Blogs like this but I don’t support them. If I see an ad or another blog that I like from here I don’t link from here. Until Queerty and Blogs like it accept that I am out there then I will do I can not to support them.
No. 90 · FakeName “You’re an idiot and a professional victim. The headline doesn’t mention race.” I have eyes and looked at the picture and read the article. The headline didn’t have to mention race it was above the pictures.
“Same exact story in the same exact words with a dead white man and you wouldn’t be whipping up this faux-frenzy.” It wouldn’t whip up a frenzy because there are some who believe that if there was a dead White man there wouldn’t be a question of if he was a rapist or not. The story would talk about the Gay Fright defense or talk about the fact that the marine was seen as “sensative.”
“Deep down inside, you’d hate it if racism actually went away because then you’d have nothing on which to base your core identity. Get some help.” I guess that statement blows me away the most. So SAD is happier because there’s racism. That’s like saying that Gay people who object to homophobia and fight against would be unhappy if it went away. Gays who fight for the right of marriage, and adoption and protection not to be beat up because of who they sleep with would be so unhappy if homophobia went away because they’d have nothing to identify with. Are you serious?
No. 91 · Concerned For Truth.. Thank you
FakeName
The headline didn’t have to mention race it was above the pictures.
Way to miss the point, Captain Oblivious. If the picture weren’t there, the artificial whinging about racism wouldn’t be there either. The headline is race-neutral.
So SAD is happier because there’s racism.
Absolutely. If racism didn’t exist, SAD would have to invent it. SAD is a professional race victim, filtering everything that happens in the world through the lens of race.
Sad
dpbfeb, your point is a cogent one the gay community has never been unified in terms of race. However, why do white homosexuals scream and yell when people of colour don’t support them? How can white gays expect support for their causes when some refuse to acknowledge and deal with the racism within the gay community?
dpbfeb
No. 94 · Sad. “dpbfeb, your point is a cogent one the gay community has never been unified in terms of race. However, why do white homosexuals scream and yell when people of colour don’t support them? How can white gays expect support for their causes when some refuse to acknowledge and deal with the racism within the gay community?”
I’ve tried 5 times to answer your question but I can’t. I don’t know I ask myself that every day. It hit me in the face when Hilary lost the primary. I live in a predominately White Gay area and I was shocked to hear so many people question if they should vote for Obama or vote for McCain and support Hilary in 4 years. Then when Prop 8 failed in California it was all about blaming the Black community. (Thanks Dan Savage).
Talking about racism Gay or straight is hard. Because both sides have to talk about their rights and wrongs. I guess in some ways I’ve given up on the “true rainbow”
dpbfeb
No. 93 · FakeName
You never answered my question. Gays who stand up for the right of marriage, and adoption and protection not to be beat up because of who they sleep with would be so unhappy if homophobia went away because they’d have nothing to identify with. Are you serious?
Robert
Thought experiment, for those of you wondering why some here are upset that you’re supporting Griffin’s version of events – imagine if the murdered professor was a 53 yo white man, and the accused murderer was Black. The accused says, ‘I killed him because he sexually assualted me twice, and refused to apologize.’
How vocifirously would you be arguing that the accused murderer deserve the benefit of the doubt?
almiller
As a friend and colleague of Don Belton’s, I am deeply saddened by the numerous comments here devoted to speculation, innuendo, ad hominem attacks, and rumor about this case, even down to what sex acts might have taken place (or not), which just strikes me as prurient. It is so important to look closely at the facts we know, and follow those closely, if we are to do justice and honor to Don Belton’s life as a human being. The newspaper and media coverage has been very limited, and it makes sense that in the absence of information, readers would want to fill in the blanks. But those blanks aren’t easily filled in. Living here in Bloomington (I am a transplant from San Francisco Bay Area), I have come to learn that the complex web of small-town connections and relationships, and the way in which the world does not easily divide itself into sides here makes this a deeper, fuller, and very human tragedy. I am sorry to read the angry exchanges that seem to have little to do with Don Belton and the particulars of his untimely, violent, and unspeakable death. I encourage any of you who would like a fuller picture of who Don was, and our collective loss (friends, family, GLBT community, etc.) to check out the Justice for Don Belton website:
http://justicefordonbelton.com/
Here you will find numerous postings by thoughtful people who actually knew Don (as well as some who knew the suspect, Michael), Don’s family, Don’s friends (he had hundreds from all over), etc., and very helpful commentary by the site administrator. Don’s world was large, his intellect and creative imagination unparalleled.
Those of you interested in the legal aspects of the case (what a plea of “not guilty” can mean, why the probable cause affidavit is not a good predictor of how the case will proceed, etc.) will find more information on the Justice for Don Belton website.
Ours is a community (both in the smallest and largest senses) in mourning. Personally, my life has been forever altered by the loss of Don, as colleague and friend. Please take the time to find out more about this case and this terrific man.
You will also find out more about how beloved he was by his students if you go to
http://www.indiana.edu/~mfawrite/
Andy McFadden
There is a tribute to Don Belton scheduled for Philadelphia on Wednesday, February 24th from 6-8pm. The tribute with be held at The Moonstone Arts Center, 110A S. 13th Street, between Chestnut and Sansom Streets in Center City, along with the support of Art Sanctuary. Please show your support by spreading the word.
Mark in Indiana
Just to reiterate, in case you are tuning in late:
1. No one knows why Michael G. murdered Don B. The fact that he did is one of the few facts the general public knows.
2. No one knows if an “affirmative” defense will be offered, i.e. gay panic.
3. No one knows how or if the victim and murderer had sex.
4. No one knows if Michael G. is gay, is homophobic, can’t process his feelings, is rage-filled, suffers from PTSD or etc.
5. No one knows the true extent of lack thereof of the relationship between the two men.
6. The simple assertion of rape is not proof that sex occurred–thus, we, the general public, can not know if that assertion or the sex it alludes to, is factual.
7. Many people here and elsewhere have asserted that Don Belton could not have done anything wrong. I’m sorry to say you can’t know that unless you lived with and observed his behavior 24 hours a day, 365 1/4 days per year.
8. No one knows shit about this, but they sure can spout certainties. I hope you never find yourself accused of a crime that attracts attention on blogs. Perhaps then you’ll begin to worry about tainted jury pools and possible mistrials that just might either convict an innocent man or let a murderer go free.
The one fact I can tell you with certainty is that this crime brought a sick feeling to most of the people I know here in Bloomington, where such violence is exceedingly rare. It put a bit of sad in the place I haven’t seen in a long time.
peopleopener
i just want to clear the air a bit. i’m zach and have been friends with mike for like fifteen years. this whole situation is messed up but i can assure you all that mike is not gay or a homophobe. he is, however, a born again hippie since he got out of the military and one of the most annoyingly pacifistic and feel good individuals on the planet. how would you feel if you were raped? whatever the context. if you were to go confront that individual and saw not a single sign of remorse? i don’t know about you but my reality would break down at least a little. i mostly want to iterate as many times as possible that this in no way was a hate crime against people who are gay or black. if you have anything to say to me directly my email is [email protected]. i don’t want attention or flames. i just want the chance to tell people what kind of person mike really is.
peopleopener
a second note, i won’t presume to rally support for mike in not serving some kind of punishment if the courts find him to be guilty. even though he is my closest friend, there are consequences to every action. i watched him cry behind an inch of plate glass and i imagine a lot of people are crying even as i write this post. i’m just aiming to inspire a little perspective. good people do bad things sometimes in the heat of the moment, and that statement could include both parties involved.ultimately i guess i’m trying to say that this situation is already very trying to all those that know and care about mike and don… please be objective and try not to make it worse for anyone.
peopleopener
and “concerned for the truth”, post 91. it seems you’ve already decided with your amazing skills of deduction what really went down… i only hope that you continue to solve all the world’s crimes in the way you see fit. as i’m sure you would if you had the ability
Arkano18
I’d make a movie of this story.
Oh, ok.
For those who care the asshole who murdered Professor Belton was sentenced to prison where he really will be deservedly raped repeatedly and he can cry about that too.
“Today(May 17th, 2011) Michael Griffin was sentenced to 55 years, minus 5 for “a probationary term” (more on this below). Given that he can receive two days off for every day served with good behavior, including the previous year of jail time, he’ll presumably be in prison for at least 24 more years. He plans to appeal the conviction.”
Hope they tear his hole wide enough to hide a few salamis in it at the same time.