Basher of gay New
York man gets 25 years

A New York man convicted of a hate crime for the brutal beating of a gay neighbor was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison. Steven Pomie, a suspected street gang member, was convicted by a jury last month of first-degree assault and assault as a hate crime for the June 9, 2005, attack on Dwan Prince. He received the maximum, 25 years on each charge, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Pomie, 23, attacked Prince as he walked home, shouting antigay slurs while he beat him unconscious and kicked him in the head, prosecutors said. Prince suffered severe head injuries and remained in a coma for some time. Authorities said that Pomie--with the victim already beaten, bloodied, and on the ground--delivered a final blow by kicking him in the head.

Investigators said they believed Pomie knew about Prince's homosexuality before the attack. Police said witnesses told them that Pomie was walking down the street when he noticed Prince staring at him. They said Pomie asked Prince, "What are you looking at? You want a piece of me?" Investigators said Prince responded by saying something that enraged Pomie, who then began beating him. Police said Pomie has an extensive arrest record and is a suspected member of the Crips street gang. (AP)