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Queens Stabbing Death Not a Hate Crime, Still Horrifying

Police stand near the scene of a murder in New York
Police stand near the scene of a murder in New York Photo: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Steven Torres, 22, was initially charged with a hate crime on Monday after he claimed he stabbed 69-year-old Ever Orozco to death because he was blowing kisses at him (Orozco had just dropped his wife off at the doctor). On Wednesday, Torres was charged with second-degree murder, but the hate crime charge was dropped. Sources tell the Daily News that detectives doubt homophobia was his motive, since Torres said he also stabbed a co-worker last week for blowing kisses. Torres has been charged with assault as a hate crime and weapons possession charges for the previous stabbing, and faces 25 years to life for the murder of Orozco.

Queens Stabbing Not Hate Crime, Still Horrifying