Suspect in gay Puerto Rican teenager's murder pleads guilty

The man prosecutors contend brutally murdered a gay Puerto Rican teenager late last year has pleaded guilty.

Juan Jos� Mart�nez Matos, who had been scheduled to go on trial for Jorge Steven L�pez Mercado's death on Monday, May 17, confessed to the crime during a hearing in Caguas on Wednesday, May 12.

Mart�nez told the court he understood the consequences of his actions, and Judge Miriam Camila Jusino immediately sentenced him to 99 years in prison.

Primera Hora reported L�pez's parents, Myriam Mercado and Jorge L�pez, hugged prosecutor Yaritza Carrasquillo after the hearing. Mercado told the newspaper, however, Mart�nez's confession was bittersweet for her and her family.

"We are able to find a bit of peace in this aspect, but it still not going to return Steven," she said. "But at least there is justice in Puerto Rico."

Jorge L�pez evoked his faith.

"I want to send a message to Juan (Casper) and tell him there is hope in Christ," said L�pez with tears in his eyes. "The lord has forgiveness for him, Irregardless of what has happened. God has a plan for him if he opens his heart to Christ. God will forgive him also."

Prosecutors contend Mart�nez stabbed L�pez to death before he decapitated, dismembered and partially burned his body before dumping it along a remote roadside near Cayey on Nov. 12, 2009. The gay teenager's murder sent shockwaves across Puerto Rico and around the world.

Thousands of people in San Juan, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and other cities around the United State held vigils, marches and other events in the days after L�pez's death.

New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Illinois state Sen. Iris Mart�nez [D-Chicago,] who chairs the Democratic National Committee's Hispanic Caucus, were among those who met with local officials and activists in January. The delegation also condemned Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortu�o for not publicly condemning the teenager's murder. And L�pez's death renewed calls for Puerto Rican authorities to utilize the island's hate crimes law.

Pedro Julio Serrano of the National Lesbian & Gay Task Force, who was in Caguas when Mart�nez confessed to L�pez's murder, told EDGE there was not a dry eye in the courtroom. He added L�pez's family remains a source of inspiration for him and other LGBT Puerto Ricans.

"The family is sending a powerful message to the world of the love that conquers hate," said Serrano.

He further stressed his work on behalf of LGBT Puerto Ricans will continue.

"It was very emotional and it brings some closure, but those wounds will never heel," added Serrano as he further described Mart�nez's confession. "And we just have to work to ensure this does not happen again."