Police Investigate Third Murder Of Gay Edinburgh Man In A Month, New York Judge Defers Deportation Of Lesbian Married To American Citizen Until Legal Status Of Defense Of Marriage Act Clearer, Fred Karger First Openly Gay Man To Announce Candidacy For President, Alexander Skarsgard, Tom Hardy Full Frontal Nudity

The Scotsman reports that the neighbour of a university lecturer stabbed to death in his own home believes he had been locked inside by his killer. Bill Coventry, who lived upstairs from Roger Gray in one of Edinburgh's most fashionable suburbs, said he was unable to get inside his neighbour's flat even though he had a key, and suggested Gray's apartment appeared to have been locked from the inside. Police are investigating whether the attack on Mr Gray, who was gay, may have been linked to his sexuality. One theory being explored is that the 64 year old may have known his attacker. Gray was a senior lecturer at Heriot-Watt University for more than 40 years. His body was found by police responding to reports of a gas leak and it is believed the gas supply in the home had been tampered with, leading to speculation that the killer attempted to trigger a gas explosion to try to destroy the crime scene, and then fled from a window in the apartment. The 77 year old Coventry, who lives in the Merchiston Crescent flat above Gray, raised the alarm on Saturday morning when he smelled gas from his bedroom. Gray retired from full-time work about four years ago, but still taught part-time at the university. He had travelled widely, and lectured in countries including China, Hungary, and Kenya. He was a member of the Scottish Arts Club, the Edinburgh Festival Society, the Wagner Society of Scotland and the Scottish Actuaries Club. Lothian and Borders Police say Mr Gray appeared to be the victim of a "sustained attack,” but a spokesperson for the police described any reports of how Gray's killer entered or left his home as speculation. Gray is the third Edinburgh gay man murdered in a month; 44 year old John Carter was died February 27th, and one the same day a man who cannot be named for legal reason was also found dead. Police do not believe that the three are connected.

The New York Daily News reports that an immigration judge agreed Tuesday to delay the deportation of a Queens woman until the legal status of the Defense of Marriage Act becomes clearer. Monica Alcota faced return to Argentina although she is married to an American citizen, Cristina Ojeda, because the federal government do not allow immigration benefits to same sex couples. In February, President Obama announced that the White House will not defend the 1996 law that bars recognition of same sex marriages; an announcement that gave Ojeda and Alcota new hope that Alcota, who overstayed a tourist visa, might be granted approval to remain in the United States. Judge Terry Bain put a hold on her deportation order while the couple waits to see if the Defense of Marriage Act is overturned and their green card application goes through. Speaking of the judge, Ojeda said "She could have said no, but instead she gave us time. Little by little, we're building up hope and more courage." The couple is due be back in court in December to give the judge an update on their case. "I was very pleased that both the judge and the government attorney treated the issue with seriousness and respect," said their attorney, Lavi Soloway. "I think it was a demonstration of respect for Monica and Cristina and their marriage. They were kind and generous about it."

The Laguna Beach Independent reports on the announcement Wednesday by long-time resident and activist Fred Karger that he is officially running to be the Republican candidate for president in 2012, the 61 year old filing paperwork at the Federal Election Commission in Washington, D.C., becoming the first openly gay candidate to run for president in history. Karger is also the first candidate to seek the Republican nomination for the president, and is considered to be a long-shot in a field likely to include Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, former Speaker of the House and serial divorcee Newt Gingrich and anti-gay former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty. Karger has been with the Republican for three decades, managing several campaigns, and has worked on nine presidential campaigns including as senior consultant with President’s Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush. Since retiring in 2004 Karger assumed the role of gay activist, leading an unsuccessful battle to halt closure of The Boom Boom Room, a historic gay bar in Laguna Beach. In 2008, he organized Californians Against Hate, which engendered boycotts of individuals that supported the state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. In June, 2010 Karger’s complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission was successful, and resulted in a fine of $5,539 against the Mormon Church for failing to disclose in a timely manner making late non-monetary contributions totalling $36,928 in support of California’s Proposition 8, the same sex marriage ban approved by voters in the November 4th, 2008, general election.

Alexander Skarsgard spotted Monday in Los Angeles on his way to the Equinox gym.

A new short film titled Sergeant Slaughter, My Big Brother starring a very naked, very hot Tom Hardy. (NSFW)