The Value of a Life
Filed by: Mercedes Allen
November 20, 2008 10:00 AM
http://www.bilerico.com/2008/11/the_value_of_a_life.phpToday marks the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, with commemorations happening through today and some into the weekend. Thanks to Tobi for giving the day-before link to what's happening.
The following was originally written for GayCalgary and Edmonton Magazine, but because of a misunderstanding, it was replaced by an article on the gene discovery, instead of being added as a second article, and missed seeing print.
On August 18th, a Philadelphia judge acquitted Terron Oates of murder charges, convicting him instead of voluntary manslaughter, a move which could see him released in as little as 30 days. (At the time of writing, I have not seen an indication that he has been released yet) The ruling generally accepted that because the victim of the 2006 shooting was a transsexual, Oates panicked at the discovery and wasn't responsible for his actions -- the classic defense. Despite the fact that Oates was described as "streetwise" and knew how to obtain a black-market handgun, it was successfully argued that he was unaware that the area in which he picked up Alexis King was a known district for transsexual prostitutes. Despite the fact that she was shot in the back and side, it was successfully argued that she was shot while fighting him for the weapon. It's amazing how much latitude defendants can be given when little value is ascribed to the victim.
