Three men facing hate-crime charges relating to a Red Line attack that made headlines last year, are set to stand trial Nov. 7.
Sean Little, 21; Kevin McAndrew, 23; and Benjamin Eder, also 23, all of Evanston, face charges stemming from an attack on Daniel Hauff, a gay man who interrupted the three as they allegedly bullied another gay man.
Hauff was riding a northbound Red Line train home Jan. 10, 2010, when the three men allegedly began beating him for intervening as they taunted another man. Hauff said that he convinced his alleged attackers to stop by telling him that he was HIV-positive.
The story made local and national headlines.
LGBT court-advocacy group Out for Justice (OFJ) has asked that LGBT people show up in large numbers and sit through the trial, which could wrap up as soon as Nov. 8.
“What we need to do is support victims of hate crimes… and say you’re not alone,” said Elana Mendelson, director of OFJ. “We will stand behind you because it’s a scary thing to go through.”
Mendelson also added that a large LGBT presence is strategic and sends a message to the judge and defendants that the community cares about the case.
The trial will start Nov. 7 at the Criminal Courthouse at 26th Street and California Avenue. For more information on the trial and to RSVP to OFJ, see outforjusticechicago.org.