A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for the beating death of a gay man in 2002. A Pima County, Ariz., superior court jury on January 27 found David A. Higdon guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Philip Walsted, 24. Walsted was found beaten with a baseball bat near his home on June 12, 2002. He died later that day at University Medical Center in Tucson. Prosecutors said the attack began as a robbery but that Higdon's neo-Nazi beliefs led to the murder. Walsted was struck in the head with the bat up to 20 times. On Monday, Judge Frank Dawley sentenced Higdon to "natural life" in prison. He also sentenced Higdon to serve 15 3/4 years for armed robbery. (AP)
Search
AI Powered
Human content,
AI powered search.
Latest Stories
Stay up to date with the latest in LGBTQ+ news with The Advocate’s email newsletter, in your inbox five days a week.
@ 2026 Equal Entertainment LLC.
All rights reserved
All rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
The Latest
Support Independent Journalism
LGBTQ+ stories deserve to betold.
Your membership powers The Advocate's original reporting—stories that inform, protect, and celebrate our community.
Become a Member
FOR AS LITTLE AS $5. CANCEL ANYTIME.
More For You
Most Popular
@ 2026 Equal Entertainment LLC. All Rights reserved















