For the vast majority of us, it doesn’t matter what our children look like, what their interests are, or what they dream of doing when they’re older. They’re our children, and as such we adore them unquestionably.
Sadly, there are a small percentage of adults too caught up in their own viewpoints to let their sons and daughters flourish as they will.
A dad who allegedly murdered his teenage boy, purportedly because he would rather have a dead son than a gay son, has appeared in court. As per reports, Wendell Melton was arrested two years ago in connection with the death of his 14-year-old son Giovanni.
He now faces charges of open murder, child abuse in the first-degree, and possession of a firearm.
Giovanni’s mother, Veronica Melton, said she is still waiting for justice after her son’s death, labelling her ex-husband “homophobic”.
“He would make very disparaging remarks against people that were gay, and to me I know that he was homophobic,” she said.
KSNV reported at the time that Henderson Police had confirmed Melton, 53, had shot Giovanni in an apartment where the teen lived by himself.
Melton initially claimed he had pulled the trigger accidentally whilst in the midst of an argument with his son, but people close to the 14-year-old told police it was motivated by Giovanni’s sexuality.
Giovanni’s former foster mom, Sonja Jones, said Melton took issue with his son’s sexual orientation.
She explained: “He hated the fact that his son was gay. I’m sure that inside of his mind, he would rather have a dead son than a gay son.”
Jones also said this wasn’t the first time Melton had pulled a gun on Giovanni. She continued that he had done so after catching the teen with a boyfriend. Giovanni’s mother, Veronica, also disputed Melton’s claim that his son’s death was just a tragic accident.
“My ex-husband was always trying to find out if my son was gay, but my son would never tell him,” she said to KTNV.
Melton remains under house arrest currently. His next court appearance is scheduled for February.
Rest in peace, Giovanni, taken from this world unfairly and far, far too soon.
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