Newsman ’Gay Slay’ Killer Claims Self Defense
0The young man accused of killing a New York journalist during a sex-for-pay encounter last year was acting in self defense, his lawyer said in a pretrial hearing on Oct. 12.
The Associated Press reported that same day that John Katehis, who was 16 at the time of the killing, sustained cuts to his hands before killing newsman George Weber, 47. Earlier reports said that Katehis, who identifies as heterosexual, had been hired by Weber via Craigslist for rough sexual play that was to include bondage and choking.
Weber's body was found partially bound with duct tape two days after his death from about 50 stab wounds. Many of the wounds were to Weber's head, neck, and torso, but some were to his hands and arms, perhaps the result of Weber trying to fend off the weapon. The encounter between Katehis and Weber took place in March of 2009.
Katehis' MySpace profile described the young man as "sixteen years of age" and "enjoy[ing] long conversations, drinking, bike riding, hanging out, roof hopping, hanging off trains, any type of Parkour exercise, Extreme Violence (chaos, Anarchy, ect..) Video Games, Violent Movies and listening to my ipod [sic]."
The profile adds, "I like to do crazy and wild thingsim [sic] like an adrenaline junkie, I'm always looking for a big thrill, I'm a big risk taker and like to live life on the edge."
The profile continued, "I am an Extremist, an Anarchist, and a Sadomasochist. As long as you show respect for me i will show respect for you, if you disrespect me, then i will fucking break your neck."
Katehis also reportedly had an account at XTube, a video sharing site where amateur porn videos are posted. Accounts of Weber's killing said that Weber agreed to pay Katehis $60 for the encounter, and that the two had taken drugs as part of their encounter. The claim of self defense made by Katehis' lawyer echoed a previous claim by Katehis that Weber had attacked him with a knife, and Katehis had responded by wresting the knife away from him and attacking Weber. "He pulled a knife on me, so I stabbed him," Katehis reportedly said. "He gave me something to drink and some coke. He asked me to do things I wasn't comfortable with."
The Oct. 12 AP story noted that Weber had been a radio reporter for New York station 77WABC for twelve years. He also had freelanced for ABC Radio.
Katehis faces murder charges in connection with Weber's death. He will be tried as an adult.