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Loading ...Teen Claims Self Defense In Gay Newsman’s Killing
05.11.2009 6:00pm EDT
(New York City) A New York teenager charged with the brutal slaying of veteran radio reporter George Weber claims he was acting in self defense.
John Katehis, 16, was ordered held without bail at an arraignment hearing in Brooklyn.Weber’s body was found in his apartment in March. His ankles were bound, and he was stabbed about 50 times. Wounds on his hands indicate he tried to fight back, police said.
Gay porn was reportedly strewn about the Brooklyn home.
A search of files on Weber’s computer led police to Katehis who allegedly met Weber through Craigslist where Weber had placed an ad looking for “rough sex.”
Police said the teen tried to clean up after the killing, then turned on the water taps throughout the home before fleeing.
Weber worked at WABC in New York for 12 years as the on-air reporter for popular shows such as “Curtis and Kuby.” He also had worked at stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Pennsylvania.
According to a written statement to police following his arrest, Katehis said he accidentally stabbed Weber while the two struggled for a knife.
The statement said that Weber pulled a knife during the encounter.
Let’s see…the victim’s ankles were bound. The victim advertised on Craig’s List for rough sex. The Victim was stabbed 50 times. The victim had knife wounds on his palms. The suspect is claiming self defense.
Does anything sound bogus about this? It seems to me someone who wanted to defend himself could have walked out, every indication being that the victim was a masochist, not a sadist; a bottom, not a top.
This is akin to the old “homosexual panic” defense, tantamount to saying, “I killed him but I couldn’t help myself…and, oh, did I mention he deserved it,” a means of playing to straight jurors basest emotions. Let’s hope that NY has a hate crimes law that includes sexual orientation. This punk should be put in prison for a very, very long time.
I’ve got nothing to add to James Martin’s comments.
An obvious case of premeditated 1st degree murder worthy of the death penalty…except the victim was gay, so no doubt they’ll let the murderer go free, maybe even pin a medal on his chest.
So, he “accidentally” stabbed him 50 times. Right.
James and Tim beat me to the punch, how can he “accidentally” stab someone 50 times? How many times can you stab someone once “accidentally”?
Weber’s feet were bound, Katehis responded to Weber’s ad on Craigslist for sex, and Katehis turned on the water all over the apartment. That shows pre-meditated murder in my eyes as a juror.
Reminds me of Chicago…
“And then he ran into my knife. He ran into my knife ten times.”
Chad beat me to it.
This is a horrible tragedy and that boy should fry. There is never an excuse or justification for such a cowardly crime. I’m not offering an excuse or justification, but on a separate note, what the heck was he doing with a 16 year old?
How can anyone know that Weber knew the true and actual age of his killer?
Weber put out an ad on Craigslist for “rough sex” and Katehis responded. Seeing pictures of Katehis one can easily mistake him for 18+. Katehis even had his own Manhunt account where he listed his age as 18+ and even posted pics and video of him self masturbating.
Bottomline: Katehis LIED about his age and had the body size and shape to pass as 18+.