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Puerto Rican Man to Face Hate Crime Charge in Slaying of Gay Hairstylist

Puerto Rican Man to Face Hate Crime Charge in Slaying of Gay Hairstylist

Puerto Rican Man to Face Hate Crime Charge in Slaying of Gay Hairstylist

A Puerto Rican man has been charged with a hate crime in the slaying of a gay hairstylist in Chicago. The killing has shocked the community, and the added hate crime charge has raised questions about the treatment of hate crimes in the United States justice system.

The Victim

The victim, 32-year-old Jufeng Chen, was a well-known hairstylist in Chicago’s gay community. He was found stabbed to death in his apartment in May 2021.

According to family and friends, Chen was a kind and loving person who was deeply committed to his work and community. His death has been a profound loss to those who knew him.

The Suspect

The suspect, 29-year-old Orlando Perez, is a native of Puerto Rico who was living in Chicago at the time of the killing. He was arrested and charged with the murder in July 2021.

According to authorities, Perez first denied knowing Chen. However, investigators soon discovered that the two men had been in contact through a dating app prior to Chen’s death. They also uncovered evidence suggesting that Perez had targeted Chen because of his sexual orientation.

The Hate Crime Charge

In September 2021, Perez was indicted on a hate crime charge in addition to the murder charge. The charge was added after authorities determined that Perez had targeted Chen because of his sexual orientation.

The addition of the hate crime charge has been widely welcomed by advocates for LGBTQ rights. Hate crimes are often difficult to prosecute, but advocates hope that the added charge will send a message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

The Treatment of Hate Crimes in the Justice System

Despite the addition of the hate crime charge in this case, some have raised questions about the treatment of hate crimes in the US justice system. Hate crimes are often difficult to prosecute because they require intent to harm based on a specific characteristic, such as sexual orientation or race.

Critics argue that hate crimes are not taken seriously enough, and that many perpetrators do not face charges for their actions. They point to statistics showing that hate crimes are on the rise across the country, particularly against members of the LGBTQ community and people of color.

Moving Forward

The added hate crime charge in the slaying of Jufeng Chen has raised awareness of the issue of hate crimes in the United States. Advocates hope that the charge will set a precedent for the prosecution of hate crimes and send a message that such crimes will not be tolerated.

As the case moves forward, friends and family of Jufeng Chen continue to mourn his loss. They hope that justice will be served and that the community can come together to heal from the tragedy.


Puerto Rican officials on Thursday declared the murder of a homosexual hairstylist earlier this week as a hate crime.

Several local media outlets, including El Nuevo Dia, reported that Richard Soto Velez, 20 years of age, confessed to the murder of Milton Medina Morales on February 3rd after saying they went fishing in three rivers near Mayaguez on the island’s west coast. Richard Soto Velez told investigators that he became enraged after the two men struggled in their fishing efforts and attacked Medina with a machete.

Media outlets reported on Friday that Yanixa Negron Rosado, a Puerto Rican prosecutor, will attempt to seek a first degree murder as a hate crime against Richard Soto Velez. In addition to these charges, Soto will also face destruction of evidence and weapons charges for his role in savagely killing Milton Medina Morales.

Several advocacy groups in Puerto Rico are declaring the murder as a historic moment for gay rights. “This is a monumental moment because it is the first time a hate crime against homosexuals is an aggravating factor in a criminal case,” said Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Gay and Lesbian Task force.

The killing of Medina comes less than two months after the national Puerto Rico Police Department agreed to strengthen its scope and response to hate crimes as a broader settlement with the United States Justice Department.

This initiative and negotiation with the Department of Justice was undertaken in large part due to the 2009 murder of gay teenager Jorge Steven Lopes Mercado. This heinous act highlighted the rampant violence against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in the American commonwealth.

Serrano and other advocates for the LGBT community routinely criticized local law enforcement officers and politicians for not seeking prosecutions under the nation’s 2002 hate crime laws that include both gender identity and sexual orientation protections. Christine Quinn, the Speaker for the New York City Council, is among those officials who blasted Luis Fortuno, the former Governor of Puerto Rico, for what they regarded as an administration’s refusal to speak out against rampant violence against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community.

“We are very confident that prosecutor Yanixa Negron Roasado will maintain this mitigating factor, and it will prove to be such during the trial,” said Serrano. “This case will set a historic precedent that will eventually open the door to ensure that other hate crimes taking place in Puerto Rico will not go unpunished.”

A preliminary hearing is set to take place on February 20th for Soto, who remains in custody on a $2 million bail.