Washington - Two men have been charged with the murder in Alabama of a gay man who allegedly made a sexual advance to them, writes Joe Carroll. Police say the accused bludgeoned Mr Billy Jack Gaither (39) to death and then burned his body on a pyre of tyres dowsed in kerosene.
Steven Mullins (25) and Charles Butler (21) were arrested this week and charged with the murder, which happened on February 19th. The two accused frequented the same bar in Sylacauga and have told police that Mr Gaither, a textile worker, made a pass at them. Friends of Mr Gaither said that he did not deny being gay but did not flaunt his sexuality around the small town.
The case reminds gay rights groups of the killing of Matthew Shepard last October in Wyoming. The gay student died following a beating and being tied to a fence in freezing weather all night.