Trans Panic Defense?

I worry that the guy is going to claim “Trans Panic Defense.”

Rapid City man charged with manslaughter in death of transgender woman
SDPB Radio
By SDPB Staff
February 15, 2024

A Rapid City man is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of a transgender woman.

Gregory Landers faces the charge in connection to the August, 2022 death of Acey Morrison, according to the Pennington County State's Attorney's office.

The two met at Landers’ home after meeting each other on a dating app. Investigators said Landers admitted to shooting Morrison but claimed self-defense.

I am always leery of self-defense claims when there are only two people involved with no witnesses.

South Dakota Spotlight wrote,

Morrison’s mother, Edelyn Catches, told South Dakota Searchlight on Wednesday that she’d all but given up hope for charges beyond weapons and drugs. In meetings with law enforcement and prosecutors, she was told it would be difficult to make a case for homicide charges because of Landers’ self-defense claims and the lack of witnesses.

I agree.

It would be very hard to prove other than self-defense but what makes me suspicious is this,

There’s never been a question as to who killed Morrison. Landers has told investigators he was defending himself. He connected with Morrison on a dating app, and they met on a Saturday night at his north Rapid City home. He shot her the following morning.

The fact that a dating app was involved is what makes me suspicious, so many trans deaths are entangled online dating that the murderer claims “trans panic defense.”

As a trans person we have a quandary, to tell or not to tell. It is one of damned if you do and damned if you don’t. I can see both sides of the argument, it you don’t mention that you are you never get any dates or you get “tranny chasers” and if you didn’t tell there is always a chance of violence if they find out. 

 Here in Connecticut we have a law banning “trans panic defense.”