A 16-year-old black male was raped and killed by two men in Middletown, Ohio. According to reports by WCPO in Cincinnati, Dione Payne went to the home of Michael Geldrich, 26, and Michael Watson, 39, to sell the two men drugs on Dec. 15.
But when Payne arrived, the men took his drugs, sexually assaulted him and beat him to death. After the attack, the men dropped Payne off at Atrium Medical Center. He was transferred to Miami Valley Regional Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Video cameras captured a black pickup truck dropping Payne off at Atrium Medical Center. One day later, the truck was traced to Payne and Franklin’s home.
Geldrich and Watson were charged with aggravated robbery and aggravated murder. However, some have called for the two to be charged with a federal hate crime. A petition has been started at Change.org.
The duo’s bail has been set at $1 million. If convicted, they could both receive the death penalty.
