CORTEZ, Colo. -- The New Mexico teenager accused of killing an openly gay Navajo youth had lived with a teen-ager who shot and killed three Bayfield residents five years ago.

Shaun Murphy, 18, of Farmington, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Fred C. Martinez Jr., whose bludgeoned body was found June 21 near Cortez.

From about 1986 to 1994, Murphy lived intermittently with Joseph E. Gallegos, who was shot by police after killing his three roommates in 1996, The Durango Herald reported in a copyrighted story published Wednesday.

Murphy's mother, Angel Murphy Tacorante, confirmed that she raised Gallegos for several years.

Tacorante also told the newspaper that she is a lesbian and did not think Murphy would kill over homophobia.

District Attorney Joe Olt said that he did not think the relationship between Murphy and Gallegos would change the case against Murphy.

Tacorante said that she was married by common law to Gallegos' father, Alex Gallegos, for about 10 years. She filed for divorce in late 1995, she said.

"Joseph was in my home for many years," Tacorante said. "He may not have biologically been my son, but yes, he was mine. If any kid is in your home and you raise them, you're going to take them on as yours."

In September 1996, Gallegos shot and killed his three roommates, construction workers from California. He then drove to Greeley, intending to kill his ex-girlfriend, an Ignacio woman who was attending the University of Northern Colorado.

Gallegos took his ex-girlfriend and two other young women hostage at gunpoint before a police sniper shot and killed him in a UNC dormitory.

Investigators said that Gallegos shot his roommates because they had learned of his plan to kill his ex-girlfriend.

Tacorante called Murphy a good child.

"I had no problems with Shaun growing up until Joseph got killed," she said. "My son took it hard when Joseph got killed because Joseph is just like my son and just like Shaun's brother."