XPost: ny.politics, sac.politics, alt.society.liberalism
XPost: alt.transgendered, alt.society.mental-health

Investigators probing what they described as the torturous killing of a 24-year-old transgender man in upstate New York, allegedly at the hands of
five people, say they have found no evidence that the homicide was a hate crime.

The remains of the victim, identified as 24-year-old Sam Nordquist of Minnesota, were discovered on Wednesday in a field in Benton, New York, in Yates County, according to Capt. Kelly Swift, a New York State Police investigator.

Swift said investigators suspect that Nordquist was tortured and killed in neighboring Ontario County and moved "in an attempt to conceal a crime."

"Based on evidence and witness statements, we have determined that Sam
endured prolonged physical and psychological abuse at the hands of
multiple individuals," Swift said Friday during a news conference.

A criminal complaint obtained by Rochester, New York, ABC affiliate WHAM alleged that the suspects sexually assaulted Nordquist with a "table leg
and broomstick." The complaint further alleges that the suspects subjected Nordquist to "prolonged beatings by punching, kicking and striking
[Nordquist] with numerous objects, including but not limited to sticks,
dog toys, rope, bottles, belts, canes and wooden boards."

According to the complaint, the torture allegedly took place in room 22 at Patty's Lodge in Hopewell, New York, in Ontario County between Jan. 1 and
Feb. 2.

Swift said investigators executed a search warrant at the hotel on
Thursday, specifically searching room 22 for evidence.

"In my 20-year law enforcement career, this is one of the most horrific
crimes I have ever investigated," Swift added. "My thoughts are with Sam's family during this time."

Suspects charged with murder
The suspects arrested in the case were identified by Swift as Precious
Arzuaga, 38, of Canandaigua, New York; Jennifer Quijano, 30, of Geneva,
New York; Kyle Sage, 33, of Rochester, New York; Patrick Goodwin, 30, also
of Canandaigua; and Emily Motyka, 19, of Lima, New York.

Ontario County District Attorney James Ritts said all five suspects have
all been charged with second-degree murder under the state's depraved indifference statute. He said the suspects have been arraigned and are
being held without bail at the Ontario County Jail.

It was unclear if the suspects had hired or were appointed attorneys to represent them.

No indication of a hate crime
In a joint statement released on Sunday, the state police and Ritts
addressed whether investigators are pursuing hate crime charges against
the suspects.

"At this time we have no indication that Sam's murder was a hate crime,"
the joint statement reads. "To help alleviate the understandable concern
his murder could be a hate crime, we are disclosing that Sam and his
assailants were known to each other, identified as LGBTQ+, and at least
one of the defendants lived with Sam in the time period leading up to the instant offense."

https://abcnews.go.com/US/5-arrested-upstate-new-york-torture-killing- transgender-man/story?id=118875705

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