Gay Texan Dies from Bashing

:: : murdered by hate : :end the hate speech : :

Plea over Gay Village 'killing' in Manchester England
story by Seb Ramsay

FAMILY and friends of an American who died three years after a brutal assault in Manchester's Gay Village are appealing for help in finding his attackers. Martin Salinas was left paralysed down one side with brain damage after he was stamped on and kicked near Essentials nightclub in Bloom Street.

Though 39-year-old Martin, who was living in Stockport, responded well to treatment and was able to move back to his family home in Texas, he died from a seizure last week.His family say a post-mortem examination showed his death was a direct result of the scarring on his brain caused by the serious head injuries suffered in the attack on May 11, 2003.

Marketing executive Martin had been with friends Maria Carabini and husband James when he was set upon as they headed for the club shortly before midnight. Police investigating the attack were unable to identify the thugs. They studied CCTV evidence, but vital footage from Essential nightclub had already been recorded over as a matter of course. Maria, 46, who is from Cheetham Hill, said Martin's family were devastated by his death, but were also frustrated that no progress had been made in the investigation.

"I had a meeting with police to make them aware of the situation and now we hope it is going to be upgraded to a murder inquiry," she said.

Anyone with informationcall GMP on 0161-872 5050 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
seb.ramsay@men-news.co.uk