Ex-con found GUILTY in Gay bashing, NYC March 27, 2006

An ex-con became a crybaby yesterday after being convicted of a hate crime - a merciless beating that left a gay man paralyzed and still afraid of being bashed by bigots. Former tough guy Steve Pomie's eyes filled with tears as a Brooklyn jury returned the guilty verdict that could send the reputed gang member to prison for up to 25 years.

His victim, Dwan Prince, 28, who was nearly stomped to death in the June 5 attack in Brownsville, said he was relieved by the quick conviction.

"I'm happy," Prince said. "But I still feel scared. I don't know if there are still guys out there."

Prince, a former demolition worker and fitness buff, testified at trial how Pomie, 22, and his pals beat him and left him for dead - just for being gay.

He described a legacy of surgeries, physical therapy and pain that forced him to move into his mother's house and give up construction work and weekend walkathons.

With his left side paralyzed and his skull etched with scars, Prince cannot control trembling in his limbs from nerve damage.

Under state law, Pomie has to serve at least 12-1/2 years of a maximum 25-year sentence, instead of an eight-year minimum, because the jury found the assault violated hate crime statutes.

Nancie L. Katz
NY Daily News

JUSTICE AT LAST!!! I'm praying for your continued recovery Dwan!
Peace & Light,
Ocean

The victim, Dwan Prince in an undated photo.