The murder of a homeless man in Ocoee last month might have been motivated by homophobia stemming from same-sex flirting, and the victim’s family wants the alleged killer charged with a hate crime.
According to the report pieced together by the Ocoee Police Department, Joel Boner, 31, was sleeping inside a tent at a homeless camp when he heard John Hawthorne, 19, outside. Hawthorne began slashing Boner’s property, the two men fought, and then Hawthorne pulled out a knife and allegedly stabbed Boner fifteen times. Hawthorne left the area and cleaned up, while Boner tried to walk out of the woods and collapsed on Bluford Avenue. Officers found him in response to a call, and Boner was taken to the hospital where he died.
Hawthorne later told police he knew Boner from a previous encounter, that Boner flirted with him, and that he was disgusted that a gay man had touched him.
Hawthorne was charged with second degree murder and taken to the Orange County Detention Center, where he was released on $25,000 bail. He remains at home on house arrest.
In the meantime, Boner’s family has been speaking out about the case. His uncle, Len Boner, told local media that they want Hawthorne charged with a hate crime, and that they’re upset Hawthorne was let out of jail on bond.
Hawthorne’s next court date is Aug. 27.
