Hate Crime Blues

::Justice::

(New York City) One of the man responsible for the brutal beating of gay entertainer Kevin Aviance last summer has been sent to prison for eight years. Three others who took part in the attack are awaiting sentence.

__All four pleaded guilty in a Manhattan court last month after reaching plea agreements with the district attorney's office. Akino George, 21, pleaded guilty plea to first-degree gang assault. He was sentenced Friday. When he gets out of prison the Bronx man will be subject to five years of parole supervision.

__Had he not made a deal with the DA and found guilty in a trial, George could have faced 25 years behind bars. Still awaiting sentencing are Jarell Sears, 21, of Newark, N.J.; and Gregory Archie, 19, and Gerard Johnson, 17, both of Manhattan.

__Sears also pleaded guilty to first-degree gang assault and is expected also to receive a prison term of eight years followed by five years of parole. Johnson, described as the ringleader, pleaded guilty to first-degree assault as a hate crime. He is expected to be sentenced later this month to 15 years in prison and five years parole. Archie pleaded guilty to second-degree assault as a hate crime. He is expected, under the plea agreement, to be sent to prison for six years to be followed by three years of post-release supervision.

__Avaince was attacked as he left the Phoenix bar last June. The four beat him unmercifully, breaking his jaw, doing serious damage to one leg and leaving him with cuts and bruises over most of his body. As they attacked him the four young men yelled homophobic slurs. Days later, with his jaw still wired shut and his leg in a brace, Aviance made a surprise appearance at a rally against homophobic violence.

"You can't keep a good queen down," Aviance told the crowd. But he warned against meeting violence with violence.

"We can't fight any of these people with arms and bullets and drama. We have to fight all these people with love, every single day," he said.

__Aviance's song ''Alive'' hit the top of the chart in 2002. Other popular songs by the singer have included ''Give It Up,'' released in 2004, and ''Din Da Da,'' which topped the Billboard dance chart in 1997.