San Diego: Fellow Sailor Charged In Murder Of August Provost

The Navy has charged a fellow sailor in the killing of August Provost, the gay soldier found murdered last month in a guard shack at the entrance of USMC base Camp Pendleton near San Diego.

Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Campos, a 32-year-old gas system technician, has been charged with murder, arson, unlawful entry, unlawful possession of a firearm and a host of other charges in connection with last month's fatal shooting of a seaman at Camp Pendelton, Navy officials annnounced Thursday. Campos, of Lancaster, is being held at the brig at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station and is cooperating with investigators, who reiterated that there is no indication the killing of August Provost III on June 30 was a hate crime. Provost was gay. "An investigative hearing will be held in the coming weeks," the Navy said. "During the hearing, a military investigating officer will hear evidence to evaluate the charges and evidence." Officials repeatedly have rejected assertions that Provost was killed because he was gay, as some members of his family have suggested. Provost's mother, Melanie Collins, has said her 29-year-old son was shot five times.

Provost reportedly complained to friends and family that he was being harassed for being gay, but may have been afraid to come forward to his superiors due to DADT.