Gay Man Charged For Erotic Asphyxia Death
An Adelaide man has pleaded guilty to murder after he was accused of strangling his gay partner during erotic asphyxia. The South Australian Supreme Court heard on March 28, David Richard Fraser plead guilty to the murder of Luke Noonan during a sex act in September 2009, News.com.au reported.
The 28-year-old’s body was found on a bed in Fraser’s flat with a belt wrapped around his neck.
A post mortem examination found strangulation to be the cause of death.
Prosecutor Sandra McDonald told the court the pair had been involved in a sometimes volatile relationship and also revealed Fraser had been involved in another death in 2005, according to Australian Associated Press.
Initially, he had been charged with the murder of Shane Moore but Fraser pleaded guilty to manslaughter during his trial.
Moore had also died of erotic asphyxia, when a shoelace was tied around his neck during the sex act.
Fraser is due to return to court this month for sentencing.
PM a ‘Cultural Traditionalist’
Last month PM Julia Gillard revealed her opposition to gay marriage was due to her conservative upbringing and described herself as a cultural traditionalist. While on Sky News’s Australian Agenda program, the PM said some things of our past needed to continue to be part of our present and future. She also suggested the union between and man and a woman had a ‘special status’. When asked about gay marriage, Gillard said ‘I do find myself on the conservative side in this question.’
Mentors Sought
The Pinnacle Foundation provides scholarships and mentors for GLBTIQ youth to complete their secondary education, a tertiary course or other further education. The scheme is currently seeking people who are willing to act as mentors.
The patron of The Pinnacle Foundation Michael Kirby said ‘Each one of us, throughout life, must do what we can to advance the message of equal justice under law for all. The Pinnacle Foundation scholarships are one way to encourage the awardees to accept that idea early in life. And to keep it with them throughout their careers.’
Two Western Australians have been accepted into the program. Kat Newman is completing a Diploma of Youth Work at TAFE and Suzie Day is pursuing a BA in Library and Information Management at Curtin University.
For more information visit the foundations website at www.thepinnaclefoundation.org
