Inauspicious Photo: Joel Boner

You may recall our recent coverage of the brutal murder of a homeless, possibly gay 30-year-old named Joel Boner. The defendant in the case, 19-year-old John Hawthorne, allegedly attacked Boner outside his tent at an Ocoee homeless camp, stabbing Boner in the back as many as seven times. Hawthorne is out on cheap bail with a GPS anklet awaiting trial (additional depositions were logged on Friday, Sept. 4); Boner is dead. You can read his uncle Lon Boner's updates in the comments section of the story, but he sent us this photo of his nephew (center) as well, which should help put a face to the name. Not exactly the bogeyman sociopath one would expect to be hunted and killed like sporting game, then.

Posted by billymanes on 9/8/2009 3:11:36 PM Permalink | Comments: 9

Comments on this story:

Anonymous said:
"John also said he believed Boner was gay and said he was disgusted this man touched him," it also states. Hawthorne had camera phone pictures taken of his bare torso after the attack.
posted on: 9/10/2009 6:25:36 AM

Anonymous said:
Hey I suppose if he killed him cuz he thought he was gay then it is a hate crime!?
posted on: 9/11/2009 6:50:41 AM

Anonymous said:
those are Joel's younger brothers in the photo
posted on: 9/13/2009 12:37:04 AM

Anonymous said:
he was dearly loved http://www.flickr.com/photos/indee/3919414714/
posted on: 9/14/2009 10:41:07 AM

Anonymous said:
What about Cameron? He was there and saw the whole thing and did nothing to stop it. He did not report the crime (murder) but cleaned up and commented on his facebook just like John. Two peas in a pod. The murderer of Ann Li was a great guy too, right?
posted on: 9/18/2009 8:11:24 AM

Anonymous said:
a beautiful woman's murder makes front page national news for weeks. gay? homeless? no one gives a shit. this murder was no less grizzly and a HATE crime against society, challenging all individuals' human rights as citizens of the United States.
posted on: 9/19/2009 8:25:34 AM

Anonymous said:
HATE CRIME. is it a crime to hate John Hawthorne and Cameron Milner? if so, BOOK ME
posted on: 10/6/2009 2:35:22 PM

Anonymous said:
HOMOcide or GENOCIDE, this was a hate crime.
posted on: 10/6/2009 2:37:02 PM

Anonymous said:
with respect for the brutally murdered Ryan Skipper. His murderer is presently on trial. The accomplice was sentenced to LIFE in prison. They murdered Ryan for his laptop and car and to "get another faggot off the planet". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5HAswWgz9s Hawthorne & Milner. Watch this video. Your turn is coming soon.
posted on: 10/29/2009 9:28:47 PM