First Hate Crime Conviction for Transgender Murder

CNN reports that Allen Andrade was convicted in Colorado of first-degree murder and a bias-motivated crime and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal murder of Angie Zapata, an 18 year old transgender woman on July 17, 2008. Andrade's conviction marks the first time in the country that a state's hate crimes statute resulted in a conviction in the murder of a transgender person.

Zapata and Andrade first met online in the summer of 2008. After a short time, they made arrangements to meet in person and Zapata took Andrade to her apartment. The defense, which repeatedly referred to Zapata as 'he,' argued that the murder was committed in the heat of passion after Andrade discovered that Zapata was biologically male. The prosecution argued that Andrade's attack was an "all-out blitz" and (correctly) referred to Zapata as 'she.' The jury returend the guilty verdicts after two hours of deliberation on Wednesday afternoon. A story from CBS4 Denver contains more details regarding the trial.

Currently, eleven states and the District of Columbia have gender identity and expression inclusive hate crimes laws.

For more information about Angie Zapata, visit www.angiezapata.com.