![]() ![]() Williamson, who was one of at least 21 transgender women murdered in the United States in 2015, was remembered by Caitlyn Jenner when she accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. It is unclear when the US Department of Justice will make their decision about filing hate crime charges against Vallum. A person’s hate, fear or intolerance should not be an excuse to take another person’s life.' ![]() 'Every human being has a right to live the life they choose. 'Some people may try to blame it on Mercedes because she was transgender, but that is simply unfair and she should not be blamed for her own death,' said Lawrence. Vallum's claim about now knowing Williamson was transgender was quickly discredited by multiple witnesses who came forward to tell authorities about the relationship between Vallum and the teenager.ĭistrict Attorney Tony Lawrence said in court on Tuesday that it was Vallum's fear of his relationship being discovered by his fellow gang members that made him murder his innocent victim. He also posted on Facebook a few months after his arrest: 'If anyone can please help me out with a little money Im kind of in a bind with no way out in sight. Vallum continued to claim after his arrest that he was unaware the young woman was transgender and that after discovering she had a penis he blacked out and came to while holding a hammer over her body. His brother Jacob saw him on the night of the murder covered in blood and testified last month during the pre-trial hearing that Vallum told him: 'Well, it was my life or his.' Vallum was arrested just days after the murder of Williamson when his own father reported the crime to police. Please message me if you can help' (above) Legal fees: Vallum posted on Facebook a few months after his arrest: 'If anyone can please help me out with a little money Im kind of in a bind with no way out in sight. 'One day u will pay for taking the most beautiful person away from us,' wrote Miller. In the weeks after Williamson was killed Miller wrote about her former roommate on Facebook, saying how much she missed the teenager and stating her belief that Vallum should be charged with a hate crime. ![]() Williamson, who was born Michael Wilkins, had been living as a transgender woman since the age of 14 and was estranged from her family at the time of her murder. Miller said that despite the alleged threat of death at the hands of her boyfriend's fellow gang members Williamson told her at one point during her relationship with Vallum that 'she didn’t have anything to worry about.' Vallum also once took Williamson to a Latin Kings beach party according to Miller, and the teenager had spoken in the past about how both she and Vallum would be killed if any member of the gang learned that she was transgender.Ī photo from that beach party, with Williamson and Vallum affectionately wrapping their arms around one another, was actually posted by Vallum on Facebook, with the gang member writing: 'Great night with the fam Saturday.' Miller also stated on the stand that Vallum was aware that Williamson was transgender and that the two were openly affectionate, calling one another 'baby' and expressing their love for one another. ![]() The Sun Herald reports that Miller testified that Williamson and Vallum frequently spent time together and had an active sex life. Vallum was sentenced to life in prison and is now facing possible federal charges for committing a hate crime.He murdered the teen over fears that his fellow Latin King gang members would learn of the relationship and kill him, claimed the district attorney.Vallum initially claimed he killed Williamson when he discovered she had a penis, but that was quickly discredited by people who knew the pair.He buried her body on the property and was arrested three days later after his own father turned him in to police.Vallum drove Williamson to his family property on May 30,2015 and stabbed the teenager before bludgeoning her to death.Josh Vallum, 29, pleaded guilty to murdering his transgender girlfriend Mercedes Williamson, 17, in court on Tuesday.Latin Kings gang member pleads guilty to murder of transgender girlfriend, 17, after stabbing and bludgeoning the teen to death, then burying her on his family's property ![]()
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