Defendant in Araujo Killing Free on Bail

Cazares secures $1 million bond, two other defendants remain in custody

8/4/2004

Jason Cazares, one of three men charged with killing a transgender Newark teenager in October 2002, is free on $1 million bail, authorities said Tuesday.

Alameda County sheriff's Lt. Jim Knudsen confirmed Cazares was released from custody on a bail bond from Santa Rita county jail in Dublin about 10:15 p.m. Monday.

Cazares and Jose Merel, both 24 and of Newark, and Michael Magidson, 24, of Fremont are charged with murder and a hate-crime enhancement in the slaying of 17-year-old Gwen Araujo on Oct. 4, 2002.

Prosecutors allege the men beat and strangled Araujo -- who was born Eddie Araujo but was living as a young woman named Gwen at the time of the slaying -- when they learned the teen was anatomically male.

Araujo's first name was legally changed to Gwen in June.

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