Petrelis Files

4 Arrested in CA Lesbian Rape Case;

200 Attend Vigil, Benefit Announced

I have three pieces of positive news regarding the tragic gang rape of a lesbian in Richmond, CA. First, the police have arrested four suspects, according to an AP story this afternoon. We'll soon see what sort of prosecution the DA mounts as the defendants start making court appearances.

Second, the Bay Area Reporter writes that the vigil for the victim was held in Richmond over the weekend attracted a crowd of 200. Click here to read the BAR story.

The third piece of good news is that a benefit is being organized for the victim, her partner and their child. They're in dire need of housing and other essential basics, and a web site, where folks can donate to the woman via PayPal, has been set up, according to an article in the latest edition of the Bay Times.

Here are excerpts from the AP wire story and followed by the Bay Times:

Two men and two teens have been arrested on suspicion of gang-raping a woman last month in the San Francisco Bay area while allegedly taunting her for being a lesbian, police said Thursday.

Officers arrested Humberto Hernandez Salvador at his Richmond home Wednesday night, Richmond police Lt. Mark Gagan said. The 31-year-old is being held without bail on gang rape, kidnapping and carjacking charges.

Police on Wednesday also arrested a 15-year-old Richmond boy and a 16-year-old Hercules boy, who were being held at a juvenile detention center on similar charges. Their names were not released.

Josue Gonzalez, 21, turned himself in Thursday after police announced they were searching for him. He was wanted on charges of gang rape, kidnapping and carjacking.

Gagan said Gonzalez asked for an attorney when he turned himself in but said nothing about his alleged role in the attack ...

Police would not detail each person's alleged involvement. Tips from local residents led to the arrests.

Detectives say the 28-year-old victim was attacked on Dec. 13 after she got out of her car, which bore a rainbow gay pride sticker. The alleged attackers made comments indicating they knew she was a lesbian, police said ...

This appeared in the Bay Times:

A benefit and raffle is planned for Jan. 9 at Velvet, a lesbian bar in Oakland at 3411 MacArthur Blvd @ 35th.

Tallon Nunez, one of the women who is organizing the benefit, has set up a blog and on-line information site, and has blogged extensively about the situation: "Our Richmond sister and her family really need to find housing," Nunez has written. "... The areas they are looking in are El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, and San Pablo, if anyone has a 2 bedroom rental (maximum $1000/ mo) or knows someone who does, please let me know. My addy is tallonsong@aol.com .

"On behalf of our sister and her family, I would like to say that they are so very moved by the care and concern of the community, it means a very great deal to them that you would all do so much for people you’ve never met,” says Nunez in her postings."

Nunez has also set up a blog to post "messages, list resources for housing, therapists who are willing to work with her and her family, ideally pro bono, but certainly at low cost, as well as information about fundraisers, and events related to her. The blog site has a PayPal donation button, to make a donation to the trust fund for her online. The address is http://tatasworld.typepad.com/were_here_for_you/ .

Nunez is still seeking items for the raffle, as well as fielding information about housing, computer or auto assistance. She is also looking female talent, drag kings burlesque beauties, and other artists to perform at the benefit; the cut off date to sign up is Jan. 2.

(Photo credit: Rick Gerharter Photography.)