Suspect pleads
guilty in gay murder case

An Alabama man pleaded guilty Monday to the murder of a gay teen who was killed, prosecutors say, at least in part because of his sexual orientation. Christopher Gaines's capital murder trial will begin next week, and under state law the jury must be shown evidence to determine whether the case is a hate crime.

Scotty Joe Weaver was robbed of less than $80 and then beaten, strangled, cut, and burned to death in July 2004, according to the Associated Press.

Nichole Bryars Kelsay and Robert Holly Lofton Porter, both 20, have been charged with capital murder and await trial, according to the report. Kelsay, Gaines, and Weaver shared an apartment. (The Advocate)