SAILOR CHARGED IN MURDER

A suspect has finally been named and charged with the murder of gay American Seaman August Provost III at Camp Pendleton in California on June 30.

Jonathan Campos has been accused of shooting Provost multiple times after a confrontation during Provost’s guard duty. Campos then allegedly set fire to the guard shack in order to get rid of the evidence.

Campos has been convicted of previous offences, including theft and drug possession. So far the motive for the murder has not been made public, but the Navy insists that killing is not related in any way to Provost’s sexual orientation, as has been claimed by the slain sailor’s family and gay rights groups.

“There is no evidence to support any kind of hate crime, gang activity or terrorism,” Capt. Mike Brown told reporters during a news conference on Thursday. “There’s also no indication there was any kind of sexual relationship.”

Provost’s family had said that the 23 year old told them that he had been harassed before his death. Navy officials say Provost never reported any problems and that they did not know about his sexual orientation.

It’s been speculated that Provost’s killing reflects the consequences of the US military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” ban on LGBT personnel in which staff fear being fired if their sexuality becomes known.