Man Convicted of Murdering Philadelphia Trans Woman Faces 50 Years in Prison

A man has been found guilty of murdering 40-year-old trans woman Michelle "Tameka" Washington in Philadelphia in 2019, authorities announced on Monday.

Troy Bailey, 28, was convicted of third-degree murder and weapon charges, according to local TV station WPVI.

Washington, a long-time trans rights advocate, was shot in the head and torso. Initially, police said Bailey told investigators he saw the murder and provided a fake description of a suspect, according to outlet WCAU. He later allegedly admitted to shooting Washington after a dispute.

"I thought I would be relieved by the sentence Troy Bailey received for the murder of my sister," Crystal Davis told WPVI. "But because of his lack of remorse, I wasn't. He cut short the life of a woman so full of light and love and taken my rock away, but I have vowed to continue her work for the LGBTQ+ community and to continue to make sure she is never forgotten."

Bailey was sentenced to 25-50 years in prison.

"[Tameka] was a brilliant and outgoing member of Philadelphia's transgender community, known for her advocacy and mentorship, and she will be profoundly missed," Amber Hikes, the executive director of Philadelphia's Office of LGBT Affairs, told TV station KYW at the time of Washington's murder. "The epidemic of violence that continues to plague the transgender community -- disproportionately impacting trans women of color -- is heartbreaking, frightening, and infuriating."