3,000 Urge Maximum Terms in Gay-Bashing

Lugging two heavy gray bags, Eric Lampel delivered more than 3,000 letters to Superior Court Judge Everett W. Dickey Friday that urged the judge to order the maximum sentences for two men convicted of beating a Laguna Beach man they thought was gay.

Lampel, an attorney, initiated the letter campaign in August, after the defendants pleaded guilty to all charges in the case, including commission of a hate crime.

Though he has no professional connection to the case, Lampel said he was outraged that as a result of a plea bargain, Jeff Michael Raines, 19, of San Juan Capistrano and Christopher Michael Cribbins, 22, of San Clemente face the prospect of reduced maximum terms when they are sentenced Friday.

“This is a hate crime and that just should not be allowed,” Lampel said.

Lampel drafted the form letters, and circulated more than 12,000 throughout Orange County and California. Space was left at the bottom of the letters where people could add their own comments and sign their names.

The letter urges Dickey to impose maximum sentences of 11 years in prison for Raines and a one-year jail term for Cribbins.

“Please send a clear and resounding message to these defendants, and others like them, that when an attack is based upon the victim’s religious beliefs, age, race, gender or sexual orientation, there is greater criminal culpability and thus, a higher penalty to pay,” the letter states.

Before agreeing to the plea bargain, Raines, a former high school football player, had faced a 15-year sentence for attempted murder and assault with intent to do great bodily injury. Cribbins, a leather shop clerk, had faced a seven-year prison term.

Raines and Cribbins pleaded guilty to the Jan. 9 attack on Loc Minh Truong, 55, which occurred on a rocky stretch of beach near three Laguna Beach bars popular among homosexuals. Prosecutors say Raines beat Truong, while Cribbins called him a “fag” and shoved him against the rocks.

Police found Truong lying unconscious on the beach, with his left eye severely damaged and a rock lodged three-quarters of an inch into the back of his head. Truong said in August that he can no longer walk without assistance and expects to spend several years in therapy to regain his strength and the ability to perform simple tasks.

Friday, Lampel said many of the letters he submitted were circulated at bars, health clubs and businesses throughout the state. He also received letters from New York, Colorado and Chicago.