John Lee Smith III was sentenced to 48 years for shooting a transgender woman in 2023. Initially denying his involvement, he later admitted to the crime after discovering her gender identity. At the time of the shooting, Smith was out on bail for a previous murder charge. His attorneys argued he was a victim of unwanted advances, but prosecutors presented him as a chronic offender showing no mercy. Misgendering of the victim also occurred during the case, highlighting ongoing issues in treating transgender victims in the justice system.
He later changed his story and admitted knowing and shooting the victim, but claimed he did so after discovering she was a trans woman.
During the sentencing phase of the trial, Smith's attorneys portrayed him as a victim of unwanted sexual advances who snapped.
Collection
[
|
...
]