The beating death of a transgender teenager in Colorado may have been provoked by her lifestyle, police said.
(Courtesy Colorado Anti-Violence Program)
“The bottom line is, we can’t rule it in, we can’t rule it out,” Sgt. Joseph Tymkowych, a police spokesman in Greeley, Colo., told ABCNews.com.
Born a male, Justin Zapata, 18, identified herself as a woman and was known to family and friends as Angie. Her body was found in her apartment a week ago, with wounds to the head and face, police say. Missing was her green 2003 Chrysler PT Cruiser. Authorities have not yet recovered the car, which they hope will provide evidence that might help crack the case.
“The sooner we can find it, the better,” Tymkowych said of the car.
Authorities have released few additional details about the case. They will not say whether the apartment, located in a quiet part of Greeley, about 60 miles north of Denver with a population of 75,000, had been broken into. They also have not said whether any items — beyond Zapata’s car — were missing from the scene. They do, however, think the suspect — or suspects — likely had some type of relationship with Zapata.
The monster who killed her has been convicted of first degree murder in the first conviction of someone for a transgender hate crime like this. YES! Finally!
The jury deliberated for less than 2 hours too, which is amazing. I’m glad they saw the crime for what it really was and I hope the a$$ who killer her spends the rest of his days rotting in jail, I hope someone makes him their bitch fast.
I wish there some some kind of punishment worse than jail or even the death penalty for people like him who commit hate crimes.
Hate Crime? Duh YES it’s a 100% hate crime. It’s such a shame that this person born with a male body who had transformed into a beautiful women met a man who was so mixed up and unhappy to the point he reacted violently rather than understanding the fact that Angie wanted to be loved. Rest in peace Angie. Love Tom.