Transgender murder trial: Hate crime charge may be a first

[Somedude21]

http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/17/3140/

GREELEY, Colorado–The murder trial of Allen Andrade, underway in Greeley, Colorado, is being watched closely across the country. Andrade is accused of bludgeoning to death Angie Zapata, a transgender female, last July.

Since the defense concedes Andrade is the killer, the question at trial is what level of homicide it is: first-degree murder or some lesser degree. The defense says Andrade killed Zapata in rage after learning that the woman he was with was biologically male. The prosecution says Andrade knew for at least 36 hours before the murder that Zapata was born a male, which supports their theory of a premeditated murder—not an uncontrollable rage.

Andrade is charged not only with murder, but with a bias-motivated crime. Though bias-motivated crime is a lower felony than murder, the charge is significant for this is believed to be one of the first cases to charge a hate crime where the victim is a transgender person.

This is the first I've heard of this. Something that I'm sure that HA would want to keep an eye on here. This could possibly be precedent-setting.

[Danielle Foxx]

He will get less time then someone who robs a 7/11 - that's pretty sad. I hope he gets the max but...ya know... the justice system still makes you swear on a bible even in this day in age

[PSL4u]

In America, doesn't really matter who you kill. If you can afford a great Lawyer, you will always get a lesser sentence.

There are people serving 15-20 years in Florida regarding the 3 strike rule that have committted non-violent drug related crimes. Mainly addicts who could not get help who resorted to stealing to support their habbits. Now they are locked up for longer than some murderers andd rapists.

[SarahG]

http://insession.blogs.cnn.com/2009/04/17/3140/

GREELEY, Colorado–The murder trial of Allen Andrade, underway in Greeley, Colorado, is being watched closely across the country. Andrade is accused of bludgeoning to death Angie Zapata, a transgender female, last July.

Since the defense concedes Andrade is the killer, the question at trial is what level of homicide it is: first-degree murder or some lesser degree. The defense says Andrade killed Zapata in rage after learning that the woman he was with was biologically male. The prosecution says Andrade knew for at least 36 hours before the murder that Zapata was born a male, which supports their theory of a premeditated murder—not an uncontrollable rage.

Andrade is charged not only with murder, but with a bias-motivated crime. Though bias-motivated crime is a lower felony than murder, the charge is significant for this is believed to be one of the first cases to charge a hate crime where the victim is a transgender person.

This is the first I've heard of this. Something that I'm sure that HA would want to keep an eye on here. This could possibly be precedent-setting.

I am using this post in the other thread, but quoting you for it.