attack and said, “Get out of my house with all that gay sh**”
Gooden and Tolbert’s injuries were severe.
Gooden was hospitalized for about a month, including two weeks in a coma, and while his boyfriend, Tolbert was hospitalized for 10 days.
Both men had several surgeries and both testified at Blackwell’s trial.
Blackwell’s defense attorneys did not present any evidence at trial or call any witnesses but they argued that the attack was reckless rather than premeditated.
“It’s not about hate. It’s about old-school culture, old-school thinking,” attorney Monique Walker told jurors.
Blackwell’s defense argued he was motivated by a sense of disrespect for the victims’ behavior in the home – a claim the prosecution dismissed.
After the verdict, Tolbert told reporters he felt “justice was served,” adding “I’m ecstatic,” Tolbert said Wednesday.
Source: Associated Press
