Sylacauga is a small town in central Alabama, nestled amid the rolling hills and forests of Talladega County. Back in the 1990s, this tight-knit community was so diminutive that it lacked fundamental establishments such as motels, restaurants, or even a solitary traffic signal. The town’s limited size fostered a culture where nearly everyone was familiar with each other. Within the context of small-town Alabama, individuals within the LGBTQ+ community often chose to conceal their identities. Many found solace in relocating to the more embracing city of Birmingham. In 1999, the world would come to learn exactly why.
Audio Sources:
The Daily Home, 23 February, 1999 – “Police Investigating Beating Death of Sylacauga Man”
The Daily Home, 2 March, 1999 – “Suspect Charged in Feb. 19 Murder of Sylacaugan”
The Daily Home, 3 March, 1999 – “Investigation Turns to Second Suspect in Gaither Murder”
Associated Press, 4 March, 1999 – “Two Men Plotted Slaying”
Associated Press, 4 March, 1999 – “Two Men Killed Gay Man, Burned Corpse Because He was Gay”
Birmingham News, 4 March, 1999 – “Killed Man They Believed Was Gay”
Associated Press, 5 March, 1999 – “Police Say Suspects Plotted Slaying of Gay Man”
Associated Press, 5 March, 1999 – “Suspect in Gay Killing is Described as a Skinhead Wannabe”
Birmingham News, 5 March, 1999 – “Men Admit Plot to Kill Gay Man”
The Daily Home, 5 March, 1999 – “Drinking Buddies Plotted Gaither Murder”
The Anniston Star, 6 March, 1999 – “A Life Tragically Extinguished”
The Augusta Chronicle, 6 March, 1999 – “Killing Returns Focus to Gay Bashing”
The Daily Home, 9 March, 1999 – “Gaither Not First to Have Trouble with Suspects”
Birmingham News, 10 March, 1999 – “Mourners for Gaither Decry Hatred”
News & Record, 10 March, 1999 – “Billy Jack Gaither’s Lost Life”
Associated Press, 5 April, 1999 – “Bill Would Include Sexual Orientation in Hate Crimes Statute”
Associated Press, 20 May, 1999 – “Two Plead Innocent in Murder of Gay Man”
Associated Press, 24 June, 1999 – “One of Two Men Charged in Homosexual’s Slaying Pleads Guilty”
Birmingham News, 22 July, 1999 – “Lawyer Says Homosexual Pass Spurred Murder”
Associated Press, 2 August, 1999 – “Defendant Rejects Plea Bargain”
Press-Register, 2 August, 1999 – “Attorney, Client, Confident”
Associated Press, 3 August, 1999 – “Opening Statements Presented”
Birmingham News, 4 August, 1999 – “Butler Just as Guilty”
Associated Press, 5 August, 1999 – “Skinhead Describes Beating Death of Gay Man”
Associated Press, 5 August, 1999 – “Skinhead Had Oral Sex at Party”
Associated Press, 5 August, 1999 – “Man Convicted on Ala. Gay Slaying”
Birmingham News, 5 August, 1999 – “Mullins Testifies in Butler Defense”
The Daily Home, 5 August, 1999 – “Butler Guilty of Gaither Murder”
The Daily Home, 5 August, 1999 – “Mullins Describes Beating Death of Gay Man”
Birmingham News, 7 August, 1999 – “Mullins Gets Life in Gaither Killing”
Birmingham News, 7 December, 1999 – “Victim Spending Eternity in Hell”
Birmingham News, 4 March, 2019 – “Gay Alabama Man’s Murderer Stabbed to Death”
The Daily Home, 7 March, 2019 – “Inmate Stabbed to Death”
