However, Vallum has never contested testimony and evidence that he long knew Williamson was transgender.Ī witness in state court had testified previously that Vallum and Williamson had sex multiple times while the witness was a roommate with Williamson. He declined to speak with The Associated Press in a March letter, citing advice from his lawyers, and didn’t address the issue Monday. He said he “blacked out” and doesn’t remember the crime, a variation of what’s known as a “gay panic” or “trans panic” defense. Vallum initially told sheriff’s deputies and later told The Sun Herald newspaper that he found out that Williamson had a penis on moments before he killed her. Vallum can’t go back and undo what he did to Mercedes,” Allred said. She cited the Trump administration’s reversal of guidelines that transgender students nationwide should be able to use school bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity - among other steps.Īllred said Vallum first tried to kill himself when he was 7 or 8. Gordon said her group remains concerned how Trump policies will affect transgender people.
LGBT advocates applauded federal officials’ first use of the 2009 hate crimes law to prosecute an offense against a transgender person.ĭemoya Gordon, attorney for the Transgender Rights Project of Lambda Legal, called the prosecution “significant” but noted it began under President Barack Obama’s administration and added “the cake was already baked” on Vallum’s sentencing when Donald Trump became president. Vallum was charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Williamson, born Michael Wilkins, was 17 years old and resided in Alabama at the time of her death. “The Justice Department will continue its efforts to vindicate the rights of those individuals who are affected by bias motivated crimes.” Joshua Brandon Vallum, 29, of Lucedale, Mississippi, pleaded guilty today to a federal hate crime for assaulting and murdering Mercedes Williamson because she was a transgender woman. “Today’s sentencing reflects the importance of holding individuals accountable when they commit violent acts against transgender individuals,” Sessions said in a statement. The case, watched nationally amid concerns transgender women are particularly vulnerable to violence, drew comment from U.S. WASHINGTON (AP) - President Joe Biden announced Thursday that hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the. Biden says he’s expanding some migrants’ health care access The city of Minneapolis agreed Thursday to pay nearly $9 million to settle lawsuits filed by two people who said. Minneapolis to pay $8.9M over Chauvin’s actions before Floyd (AP) - The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot and wounded his teacher in Virginia has been. Mother of young boy who shot teacher arrested in Virginia NEW YORK (AP) - The deadline to file your taxes is Tuesday, which is just around the corner. Haven’t filed your taxes yet? Don’t panic. WASHINGTON (AP) - Conservative mega-donor Harlan Crow purchased three properties belonging to Supreme Court. Report: Thomas sold real estate to donor, didn’t report deal NEW YORK (AP) - Former President Donald Trump answered questions for nearly seven hours Thursday during his. National News Trump answers questions for seven hours in N.Y. Today's breaking news and more in your inbox They also said that when she tried to run into the woods, he chased her down and bashed her head with a hammer. He shocked her with a stun gun and stabbed her in the body and head with a pocketknife, they added. Vallum lured Williamson into a car in Alabama and drove her 50 miles to his family home near Lucedale, Mississippi, prosecutors have said. Federal prosecutor Julia Gegenheimer said during Vallum’s plea hearing in December that he began planning to kill Williamson after a friend called him May 28 to say he’d discovered her identity. Vallum didn’t contest evidence in court that he long knew Williamson was transgender. The roommate also testified that Vallum once told her and Williamson his gang would kill both Vallum and Williamson if Williamson’s transgender status was discovered. Prosecutors have said Vallum knew of Williamson’s transgender status long before he killed her, citing a witness in a state court proceeding who testified that Vallum and Williamson had sex multiple times while the witness was a roommate with Williamson. In his defense, Vallum initially told sheriff’s deputies and later told The Sun Herald newspaper that he found out that Williamson had a penis on moments before he killed her.
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