Maplewood — known to be one of the most gay-friendly nabes in Baristaville — has now become the unlikely setting for two separate possible gender-bias murders within the past year.
According to long-time resident, Leah Gomberg, the town’s diversity is a big draw for her family of 5. “I love that our neighborhood is home to so many different types of people, but it feels like we all have a lot in common. Really we’re all the same.” Gomberg’s three sons, ages 13, 11 and 5, have friends whose parents are same sex. “It doesn’t even phase them,” she said. “It’s just a normal part of life in Maplewood.”
Today, Wednesday, Oct. 27, three defendants are facing possible bias crime charges in the Essex County Veterans Courthouse, Newark. The arraignment will be in the courtroom of the Honorable Peter Vazquez.
Defendants Marquise Foster, 25, of North Plainfield and Alrashim Chambers, 23, of Newark are scheduled to be arraigned for the murder of Victoria Carmen White, a 28-year-old transgender female who last resided in Newark.
Defendant John Staten, 30, of Orange is scheduled to be arraigned for the March 2010 murder of 27-year-old Arthur Downey of Maplewood.
Photo by twbuckner.
Two very sad stories, no question, but these crimes are certainly not unique to Maplewood. Maybe the recent focus on bullying and bias crimes in general will lead to an emphasis on teaching children tolerance.
It should be “faze them.” A phase is something one goes through.
And I much doubt that the two incidents referenced are “mere” bias crimes. There’s likely more to them. What is dismaying that there are people out there (virtual “professionals” at this) who can’t wait to opine on such matters as a means of furthering their own agendas. Which of course doesn’t necessarily have much to do with the matter of actual justice for either the victims or the accused, but still…
Why, too, Ms. Gomberg’s remarks above should carry actual weight is beyond me. Maybe because no one could be bothered to actually call law enforcers for genuinely relevant comment?
Did either of those murders take place in Maplewood?