On Feb. 21, Cody Carmichael, 21, shot and killed Troy Clattenburg, 24.
The murder took place in Clattenburg’s mother’s apartment in San Antonio. Carmichael was arrested and confessed to the murder. He said he shot Clattenburg because of unwanted sexual advances.
San Antonio police are refusing to investigate the murder as a hate crime and Carmichael is preparing a “gay panic” defense, according to the San Antonio Express News.
Carmichael and another man were at Clattenburg’s house earlier in the evening. The two left. The other man gave Carmichael the gun. He returned and shot Clattenburg. No charges have been filed against the other man who supplied the gun.
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The SAPD, like the Fort Worth PD is apparently taking lessons from the Dallas PD, arguably the most corrupt law enforcement agency anywhere. Forget about the law, let’s just see who we can pick on today and who we can let off.
NOW I get it!
THIS is that heterosexual morality they’re all screaming their heads off about.
Troy Martinez Clattenburg was our baby brother–the youngest of eight children. As a HEARTBROKEN family member–I would like to call attention to the fact that Cody James (CJ) Carmichael was arrested Mon @ 10:00pm Mar. 15th, and strolled out into the sunshine on bond Friday Mar. 19th @ 1:00pm. Just what does it take for a person to remain behind bars? This self-confessed cold-blooded murderer is out enjoying his life once again until trial finally happens–could be years! To truly understand what a tragedy this is you would have to know Troy and what a beautiful person he was. Anyone who was ever around Troy once knew he was gay. He was not a typical 24-yr-old man; Troy was one of the most gentle-natured, childlike, whimsical, loving, trusting and forgiving person anyone could know. Anyone who would do this to Troy would do this to a small child. If Cody Carmichael did this for the reason he stated: “unwanted sexual advances”, then this is obviously a hate crime according to his own words. First of all, Troy lived in our Mother’s apt. Secondly, among the three people in the room–two of them being “straight” men, Troy would definitley not have been the one in control–he would have been more timid. Does it really make sense that he would “make unwanted sexual advances” among two “straight” men, with our Mother asleep in the next room? Everyone knows Mom came out to check randomly at all hours. No way. These two men left, made the gun exchange, and Cody drove back with the gun with the deliberate intent to murder Troy. Troy had no idea what was about to happen–probably opened the door to Cody around 2:00am, with his sweet smile on his face as he turned around and then Cody pulled out Kyle’s gun and shot Troy in the back of the head–leaving him there for our Mother to find in hysterics @ 7:30 am. This dangerous man, Cody James Carmichael has wounded our family beyond words, and for him to be free to run about society and continue the privilege of life that he stole from Troy, is just further adding salt to our immense wound. Furthermore, the 19-yr-old gun owner, Kyle Van Heynigen has yet to be charged with anything. This was an evil act on an innocent person. Everyone should be disgusted and outraged. The initial hearing is scheduled for April 14th, 2010, 226th District Court, San Antonio, Texas.
I wrote about the case hoping to call attention to the San Antonio police department, which regularly discounts hate crimes against the LGBT community.
Our sympathy from everyone here at Dallas Voice goes to your family for your terrible loss. We’ll continue following the case.
I had known Troy since I was about 13 years old. I loved him. He was a great friend, a sweet heart and very smart. I have been completely heartbroken by this whole thing and I sincerely hope that justice is served.
does anyone know when the official trial will begin?
Dear Lisa, Thank you for your nice comments about Troy; he
was all those things and more! That is why it is still so hard to
believe that ANYONE would want to harm him, let alone brutally
murder him with premeditation. Adding to this whole nightmare, Cody
James “CJ” Carmichael, the confessed murderer, is still out on
bond–even though he violated the condition of bond by failing a
drug test. I can’t tell you how disgusting it was to see him at the
courthouse this past Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, for a routine “docket
call” hearing, leaving with a girl (an obviously extremely ignorant
girl…knowing he’s a murderer, going to prison for a very long
time…) he has since gotten pregnant (she looks around 7 months
along–Troy was killed 10 months ago–way to go justice system!)
holding hands as if they were strolling through the park. Of
course, we as taxpayers, will be paying for this poor child who
obviously will not have a father around, and a mother severely
lacking in judgment. Kyle Van Heynigen, the gun owner–and the one
who actually knew Troy–still has yet to be charged with anything.
We find it hard to believe Van Heynigen did not know exactly what
“his best friend CJ,” was going to do with HIS gun that night.
Unbelievable. If anyone had any idea what our family has been
through in this horrible situation, they wouldn’t believe it; you
can’t make this stuff up. There is much that is not fair and does
not make sense, but one thing we know for sure–and others need to
know if it ever happens to them–is that laws definitely need to be
changed. The criminals have more rights than those of us who are
trying to not only live as law-abiding citizens, but just trying to
live our lives being the best people we can be, for ourselves and
for each other. Once again, I reviewed Psalm 94 this week. God has
truly given us a peace beyond our own understanding, but also a
burning passion to seek justice for our sweet Troy Boy. Anyone that
is involved with his murder WILL NOT be getting away with it much
longer; ultimately there will be consequence to them for it–this
we know for sure! As for when the next hearing is, it has not been
reset as of today. We do not yet know how long before the trial
will begin, but anyone can contact Jay (of JaySays.com) for more
info, or look up the page on facebook: “In Loving Memory Of Troy
Clattenburg”–there you can leave comments, memories, or check for
updates. The Christmas season was extremely difficult and painful
without Troy; please continue to pray for our family–especially
our Mother. Thanks again for thoughts and concerns, Troy’s Loving
Family