Gay-bashed in St. Martin.

In the early hours of April 6, gay CBS Evening News producer Dick Jefferson and gay 48 Hours staffer Ryan Smith were attacked in an apparent gay bashing on the Caribbean island of St. Martin. Smith and his boyfriend, Justin Swensen, were taunted by a group of men inside Bamboo Bernie's nightclub, after which Smith and Jefferson were attacked with a tire iron outside. Smith suffered brain damage; Jefferson spoke to The Advocate before returning to the island to file an official statement with police, whom he and others have accused of a slow response. At press time, one suspect was in custody.

How are you holding up?

I'm in crisis mode now. I've just been focusing on getting the story out there and, of course, on Ryan's recovery. Once it's settled down, Ill have a very long cry.

How did the incident start?

I was walking over to meet Ryan and our friends and I saw people throwing things at them. A guy got out of this white car with a tire wrench and I remember thinking What in the hell is going on? Then he whacked me on the head with the iron. Ryan was coming to see if I was OK and they got him too. The next thing I remember, I was holding my head, bleeding profusely--and then waking up in the hospital

What injuries did you suffer?

I had a skull fracture--they had to suck fragments of my skull out and put a quarter-size piece of titanium in my head. My CAT scans are good, but t have a real nasty scar, and I'll have to take antiseizure medicine for a long time to come.

Was the apparent inaction by police a sign of homophobia or negligence?

It's beyond negligence--it was horrific. An officer came by but didn't take a statement. He didn't even write down the license plate number, which witnesses had gotten. When I called a few hours after the attack, the police said they didn't even have a report. Saturday morning the head of tourism called to say she was taking over the investigation. I asked her if she knew what she was saying about St. Martin's police department. She said, "I know what I'm saying--that's why I'm taking over."

You've traveled to St. Martin for 15 years. Was this an isolated event or part of a larger problem?

I never had a problem before, but the gays l know there are pretty scared, especially on the Dutch part of the island. There's a thriving gay scene on the French side, but gays in St. Martin just aren't out. My best friend there is in the closet.

Aside from your attackers being brought to justice, what resolution do you hope for?

Hopefully, this incident will shed a light on the problems with the local police force and spur the government to make some big changes. But in the short term, I hope American tourism companies think twice about letting passengers off in St. Martin.

After you file your statement, will you ever return to the island?

No. I've made a lot of local friends and I have no beef with the island, but you can't feel safe again after something like this.

--Interviewed by Dan Avery. To read the complete interview with Dick Jefferson, go to www.advocate.com.