The State - News from July 23, 1989

A 17-year-old San Jose boy accused of killing a male sexual partner in a rage of guilt will stand trial as a juvenile rather than as an adult, according to a ruling by Juvenile Court Judge John T. Ball. If convicted, Joaquin Ocasio would face less prison time under Juvenile Court requirements than he would face in the adult court system. The judge said he based his decision in part on evidence that showed the boy had been seduced by the stabbing victim, Kevin Beaird, 34. Prosecutors said the youth had “rage reactions.” The decision to try Ocasio as a juvenile was criticized by Cynthia Goldstein, a Bay Area gay activist, who said “The court’s ruling signifies that it’s not serious if you kill a gay person, as opposed to a non-gay person.”