Florida killer's sentencing set for Dec. 9

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 4 (UPI) -- A Florida judge has scheduled a Dec. 9 sentencing hearing for the second defendant convicted in the 2007 murder of a homosexual man, Ryan Skipper.

William Brown was convicted of murder and robbery Tuesday by a Polk County jury and faces a possible life sentence.

Skipper's death became a rallying cry for supporters of hate-crime protections for homosexuals in Florida, the Orlando (Fla.) Sentinel said Wednesday. "Today's verdict concludes the final trial of Ryan's two attackers, but it does not end the epidemic of anti-gay hate violence in Florida," said Brian Winfield, spokesman for Equality Florida.

Brown will likely join co-defendant Joseph Bearden in prison. Bearden was sentenced to life after being convicted if second-degree murder in February.

The pair had been arrested in 2007 for what authorities portrayed as a hate crime based on Skipper's sexual orientation. The Sentinel said Skipper's homosexuality did not play a part in Brown's trial.

The defense contended that Brown and Skipper lived near each other and Brown considered Skipper to be a friend.