Justice For Australia’s LGBT Murder Victims
Many observers in the LGBTIQ community were stunned by the recent acquittal of two young men in the murder trial of 56 year old gay man, Peter Keeley.Trigger Warning: This story discusses killings of LGBTQI people, which might be distressing to some readers.
For 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For Australia-wide LGBTQI peer support call QLife on 1800 184 527 or webchat.It was a shocking crime where the perpetrators allegedly lured him to a coastal NSW town using the gay dating app Grindr.
They bound, gagged and assaulted him, then left him severely injured in bushland. He later died. An autopsy by Forensic Pathologist Dr Bernard I’Ons found that Keeley had multiple blunt force injuries and lacerations to his head, including a fractured nose, as well as a mild brain injury that would likely have resulted in a concussion.
Bernard I’Ons said that Keeley died from suffocation and a brain injury sustained during the attack. The lack of justice for Peter Keeley has left the LGBTIQ community wondering if much has changed when it comes to the prosecution of gay hate crimes.It’s not the only death that left us full of questions in recent years.
