A Philadelphia man sentenced to 25 to 50 years in state prison Michelle “Tameka” Washington was killed in 2019, A transgender woman, family and friends say she is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community.

Troy Bailey, 30, was convicted of third-degree murder and firearms in a bench trial in early May.according to Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Investigators linked the bullets used in the deadly Washington shooting on May 20, 2019 with the live ammunition found in Bailey’s home during the execution of the search warrant.

The 40-year-old Washington was shot and killed four times in the 3400 block of North 11th Street in Franklinville, North Philadelphia. She died in Temple University Hospital. According to Assistant District Attorney Chesley Lightsey, the District Attorney’s Office did not prosecute the case as a hate crime.

“We don’t believe that Ms. Washington was killed because she was a transgender woman,” Lightsey Say At a press conference held at the William Way LGBT Community Center on Spruce Street on Monday.

Kelly Burkhardt, LGTBQ+ liaison at the District Attorney’s Office, added: “Some cases may not be hate crimes, (but) they must be hatred of trans women.” “Trans women, especially The average life expectancy of transgender women of color is 35 years.”

According to statistics, in 2021, at least 31 transgender or non-gender persons were killed by violence in the United States. Human rights movementIn 2020, the agency reported 44 murders, some of which involved “obvious anti-transgender bias”.

“In other cases, victims’ transgender identity may put them at risk in other ways, such as forcing them to be unemployed, poor, homeless, and/or survive sex work,” the agency’s website says.

Washington’s sister, Crystal Davis, said she thought Bailey’s conviction would comfort her. She said that when she saw the defendant’s behavior at the sentencing hearing on July 22, the situation changed.

“He doesn’t regret it at all, I think it brought all my hurt and pain back,” she said. “He doesn’t care who he killed that night. He doesn’t care how this affects us, my family (and) the LGBTQ+ community. He just doesn’t care, and for that I don’t think I can ever forgive him.”

Davis said Washington is her “rock music” and her sister “likes” being an advocate for the LGTBQ+ community.

“I am in pain every day. I can’t call her and talk to her every day, my heart is hurt,” she said.

in a statement After Washingtion was killed, Amber Hikes of the Philadelphia LGBT Office called her an “outstanding and outgoing member” of the city’s transgender community and “famous for her advocacy and guidance.”

“Her life was shortened too short,” Davis said Monday. “She still has a lot of work to do here.”

The same week that Bailey was sentenced for the murder of Washington, a preliminary hearing was held during the trial. Akhenaten Jones, 37, who is accused Murder of Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, A 27-year-old transgender woman. On June 8, 2020, the dismembered body of Fels was pulled out of the Schuylkill River near the Bartram Garden Pier and the community boathouse.

Image provided / Sweig Photography

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On Monday, Lightsey said investigators had DNA evidence that Fairs was killed at Jones’ home.

“We have no evidence or reason to believe that this is simply because Ms. Fairs is a transgender woman,” she added.

Since 2015, Washington and Fairs are two of at least six transgender women killed in Philadelphia. Other victims include: Mia Green (2020), Shandi Tucker (2018), Chanel London and Keisha Jenkins (2015).

“This seems to be the hunting season for transgender women. Transgender women are living their lives, and something seems to be contrary to their lives and breath,” said transgender women pastor Andrea Arrington (Andrea Arrington). It is any ministry. “…If we show more love, we will get more love, and obviously, it will be shown to the world with less violence.”