An arrest has been made in the brutal murder of transgender woman Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar, The New York Times reports.
Rasheen Everett, 29, was arrested in Las Vegas and returned to New York to face charges of second-degree murder and evidence tampering. The motive remains unclear, and it is yet unknown whether or not Gonzalez-Andujar was murdered because she was transgender.
According to the report, the attacker and Gonzalez-Andujar possibly met in an Internet chat room. Everett came to her home on the morning of March 27, and screams and struggling were heard moments later. Everett did not leave the home for 17 hours, and when he did, he was reportedly carrying “bags that appeared to be filled with items.” The Times reports that Gonzalez-Andujar was strangled and bleach was poured on her body.
The report also says that Gonzalez-Andujar advertised her services as a “prostitute.” While this is newsworthy with regard to possible motive and a possible reason that Everett communicated with her and came to her apartment, it is irrelevant with regard to her murder. She no more deserved to die than anyone else.
It should be noted that sometimes trans people, and especially trans women, become involved with sex work because of the difficulty in getting employment due to prejudice and discrimination. The majority do not. It should also be noted that some people — trans and non-trans — choose sex work as a profession for a variety of reasons.
Some people might use this information, which has not yet been verified, in an attempt to discredit Gonzalez-Andujar or to dismiss the seriousness of this crime.
But Queens district attorney Richard A. Brown is not one of those people. The Times quotes Brown as saying, “This case will be vigorously prosecuted in order to secure a measure of justice for the victim and her family.”
If convicted, Everett faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Comments
Thank you for your trans-sensitive treatment of this horrific crime.
Maybe, if they convict this sick bastard, they can make him wear woman's clothes in prison.
I grew up with the with the so called murderer and he was one to be with women.. I wonder if the Tranny told him that he was a man before they meet... Still Justice should be served but i can tell how it can make a guy angry... He went too far..
It doesnt matter if he was aware of her true gender or not if he was so insulted by it he could of left her home as quick as he came im tired of people making excuses for murderers if he felt he did nothing wrong and this was due to a moment of insanity he would not have been on the run lets start supporting our transgender family instead of trying to cast them away
There are so many men living a lie....... The ones you least expect yes those that claim to LOVE women are in denial because those of the ones that love transgender beautiful women...Sorry ladies some transgenders are prettier than women... and thats what so called straight love~ they have the opportunity to get the best of two worlds..,
Hello
I am a old friend of Amanda's family.I am writing this because it has come to my attention that the district attorney Richard Brown after stating to the press in April that he was going to charge Rahseen Everett with second degree murder(which carries a sentence of 25 years to life) and tapering with evidence.Now he has changed his mind and is talking about giving him a plea deal for a lesser charge of manslaughter(which means he will be out in less then 8 years).They have all the evidence they need to convict him.There isn't need for a plea I cant help put wonder if it was a woman, a mother, and wife the district attorney would be going for 1st degree murder which carries the death penalty,no less then life in prison.This isn't justice.When the press was watching Richard Brown to see how he'll deal with the case he said he will charge him with 2nd degree murder.But now that Amanda is not in the news no more he no longer cares about getting justice for Amanda and her family
If you would like to help get justice for Amanda please email me at delights1@msn.com and put (I want justice for Amanda) as the subtitle.Or email Richard Brown at www.queensda.org and let Richard Brown no that this is unbelievably wrong.That Rasheen Everett should be held to the fullest extent of the law.There is power in number . And one person can make a difference.Amanda made a difference in my life, the life of here friend, and especially in the life of her family.She was accepted and adored by her friends, her community,and especially here family .She was just as beautiful and amazing as other have said but even more so.Please demand justice for Amanda.Her life meant SO SO SO MUCH MORE then 8 years.Nothing will ever full the empty place in our heart now that Amanda's gone.But you can help us give her family a peace of mind that justice is being served and the person that took Amanda's life be paying for his crime appropriately. If you want to help email me at delights1@msn.com
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