Suspects in Gay Attacks Get Years in Prison

Two men pleaded no contest today to assault involving an attack on two men who had just left a gay and lesbian center near the Art Theatre in Long Beach last Halloween.

Long Beach Superior Court Judge Gary Ferrari immediately sentenced 19- year-old Marquise Lucas to six years in prison following his plea to the assault charge and his admission of hate crime and great bodily injury allegations. Co-defendant Sierus Dunbar, 28, was sentenced to four years behind bars.

The two victims had just left the Gay and Lesbian Center of Greater Long Beach on Fourth Street in Long Beach last Oct. 31, when they were ``harassed by these individuals for their sexual preference,'' according to Deputy District Attorney Robert Hight.

``Out of concern, one of the victims took a cell phone picture of one of the persons,'' the prosecutor said, adding that Lucas then went around him, punched him in the face and kicked the victim as he was on the ground. Dunbar hit the second victim after he tried to come to his friend's aid, and Lucas went over and kicked him while he was down, according to the prosecutor. Both of the victims suffered moderate injuries.

Lucas and Dunbar were arrested nearby by Long Beach police after bystanders called for help. The two men had been set to go on trial next Monday.

It was the latest of several unrelated attacks on gay people last year in Long Beach, and at least two large rallies or meetings were held. The first was a quickly-assembled rally last summer, and after the Halloween attacks, another unity meeting was held to redouble efforts at personal safety and share ideas.

--City News Service