Mocobizscene- A man from Florida received a life sentence on Friday for the murder of an LGBTQ activist. The victim’s body was found in a dumpster in January 2022.
Steven R. Yinger, 38, has been convicted of first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, grand theft motor vehicle, grand theft, and criminal use of a personal identification number in connection with the death of Jorge Diaz-Johnston, the brother of former Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, as reported by the New York Post. Yinger and the victim were living together as roommates.
According to WCTV, he received a life sentence for the first-degree murder charge, with an additional 60 months for each additional charge. These sentences will be served concurrently.
In 2019, Yinger was sentenced to three years in prison for petite theft, grand theft, and using an anti-shoplifting device. Additionally, he was found guilty of violating his probation.
According to the station, authorities were alerted to Diaz-Johnston’s disappearance by her estranged husband, who had discovered that she had not been at work for several days. Diaz-Johnston and her husband were well-known advocates for gay rights and were one of the couples involved in the lawsuit to overturn Florida’s ban on same-sex marriage in 2014.
Yinger and Diaz-Johnston crossed paths during their time at an alcohol rehabilitation program. Eventually, Yinger found a new home in Diaz-Johnston’s apartment in Tallahassee.
A few days prior to his vanishing, Diaz-Johnston expelled Yinger from his place when he supposedly stole his car and a number of Diaz-Johnston’s belongings.
According to a statement obtained by the Post, Don Diaz-Johnston, the victim’s estranged husband, expressed his belief that Jorge’s actions were a sincere demonstration of Christian love aimed at giving the man a chance to improve his situation.
Don acknowledged that Jorge understood the power of kindness and generosity to soften even the most hardened hearts. However, he also recognized that such acts of kindness cannot change the nature of someone with a malicious intent.
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