Brazilian skinheads sentenced for killing gay man

A São Paulo judge on Wednesday sentenced two neo-Nazi skinheads to 21 years in prison for beating a gay man to death. In a 4–3 decision, the jury found Juliano Fillipini Sabino and Jose Nilson Pereira da Silva guilty of killing Edson Neris da Silva. Their attorney said she would appeal the decision. In February 2000, Neris da Silva and a friend were walking near a downtown square when nearly 30 skinheads, armed with chains and brass knuckles, started chasing them. Neris da Silva’s friend escaped, but da Silva was beaten and kicked for about 20 minutes, witnesses say. He was dead on arrival at the hospital. Police later arrested 18 skinheads whom witnesses say took part in the beating. Another six skinheads have been charged with murder and will be tried at an unspecified date. The remaining 10 will be tried on charges of creating a criminal association. São Paulo skinheads often target gays, blacks, Jews, and migrants from Brazil’s poor northeast area.