Broudy Reacts to Cooley
by Ramon Alexander Jaime
Updated Friday, October 11, 2002 9:40pm PST

SANTA BARBARA — In his first interview since the brutal attack against him and a dinner companion, actor Trev Broudy, 34, was released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and went to his parents' home in Carpinteria where he told the Santa Barbara News-Press, ""I'm doing all right."

He said he is angered over the decision by the Los Angeles County district attorney's office not to charge the three alleged attackers with a hate crime.
The attackers beat Broudy numerous times with a wooden bat and left him near-dead, right after Broudy had embraced a male friend outside his apartment, police said.

Broudy said the only motivation he can see for the attack is his sexual orientation.

He can't remember much of the attack, and it's difficult for him to remember many events that happened before it.

"It's very difficult for me to speak," Broudy said. "There's, like, different parts of my brain that aren't working."

The lack of charges of a hate crime spurred massive protests in West Hollywood.

Three south Los Angeles men have pleaded innocent to two counts each of assault with a deadly weapon and one count each of attempted robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery. They all were jailed in lieu of bail.

Prosecutors have said previously that investigators determined the motive for the attack was robbery and not the victim's sexual orientation.

On Wednesday, protesters picketed outside Los Angeles District Attorney Steve Cooley's office, calling for his removal.

If the men are convicted on all counts, their prison terms would range from six to 20 years.

Broudy was attacked after he and his friend Edward Ulett hugged goodbye on Cynthia Street, just north of Santa Monica Boulevard.

Larry Walker, 29; Vincent Dotson, 18; and Torwin Sessions, 19; each with one count of attempted robbery, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon and one of conspiracy to commit robbery.

But Broudy's father, Sherrill, said Thursday night that his son and the family believe the attack was motivated by hate.

"There is no question about it," Sherrill Broudy said.

"If they wanted to rob him, they could have taken the money he had with him, but in our estimation, robbers are usually looking for someone affluent, and he was out in his regular clothes. We all believe this was ... gay bashing."

Trev Broudy's stepmother, Charlene, said he is tired, angry and sad but hopeful of recovery. The parents say Broudy can remember bits and pieces from around the time of the attack, but some things elude him.

"When we went to his apartment before coming here, he tried to use his computer but had difficulty and started to cry," she said.
Doctors are uncertain about his chances for a full recovery, Broudy's family said, and say he may eventually need a plate in his skull.

"They attacked a person with enormous potential and permanently altered that," Sherrill Broudy said. His son is "improving, but he still has a long way to go," he said.

A third suspect, who was arrested on September 2 on unrelated charges, is being held in custody pending further investigation of his participation in the attacks.

Walker and Dotsun are facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon and attempted robbery.

Both Walker and Dotsun were expected to be arraigned on October 4. No statements were issued on behalf of the suspects.