This morning an update on the horrific murder of Lateisha Green, a young black transgender woman in Syracuse, New York. The victim was in the process of transitioning and reportedly shared this information with the alleged shooter, before he allegedly gunned her down in rage. The Poughkeepsie Journal reports prosecutors will beef up the murder charges.
An Onondaga County grand jury handed down the indictment Friday, charging Dwight DeLee with murder as a hate crime, murder and a weapons possession charge.
District Attorney William Fitzpatrick says DeLee shot Moses Cannon dead Nov. 14 after hearing comments about Cannon’s sexual orientation. Moses Cannon was living as a woman, using the name Latiesha Green. Relatives have described him as transsexual.
The 20-year-old DeLee faces up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
Authorities believe 20-year-old Lateisha Green was "lured" to a party at a Syracuse home in November. That is where she shared her personal story with DeLee before being killed. Lateisha's 18-year-old gay brother was also shot. The 22-year-old ex-convict DeLee, who has "a history of weapons and drug charges", faces second degree murder and hate crime charges. DeLee plead not guilty and is being held without bail.
Despite several eyewitnesses and the statements by an accomplice, the defendant's family "doesn't believe" Dwight DeLee gunned down the young transgender woman and maintains he did "not" have extreme dislike of gay and transgender persons.
Some Background ...
Hate Crimes Charges in Syracuse Trans Murder?
No Bail for Syracuse Suspect, Victim ID'd as Trans
Black Syracuse Man Killed Simply for "Being Gay"
Family Defends Accused Killer of Transgender Woman
Despite several eyewitnesses and the statements by an accomplice, the defendant's family "doesn't believe" Dwight DeLee gunned down the young transgender woman and maintains he did "not" have extreme dislike of gay and transgender persons.
Good lord. And I am an aethiest to boot. After reading bout the criminal past of this "gentleman" I am sure this is not the first three-legged "woman" he has encountered. I bet he had "her" all in the corner and was tonguing "her" and all until someone told this girl's "secret" to him.
I would have loved to have seen the look on his face when he found out.
Posted by: gurlene | 06 April 2009 at 14:06
Unfortunately, we know the look on his face. It was the face of death.
Posted by: Ravenback | 06 April 2009 at 15:12
but being a former inmate, why would he resort to killing her? you can tell that she was a man by her characteristics. That's just sad, now he'll have no choice but to deal with 3 legged persons in jail and he deserves to rott there for a long time!!
Posted by: AzzedineAliaFan | 06 April 2009 at 20:47
Wow. Somehow the people leaving these comments don't seem to grasp the fact that someone was killed because of ignorance. Calling the victim a "three-legged woman" seems gross and inappropriate to me. But maybe I'm too sensitive. No comments on her brother that was also shot? Does the fact that he wasn't transgender make it easier for you to be sympathetic?
Posted by: Darryl | 02 May 2009 at 10:51