[News] [MS, USA] Mississippi man facing new murder charge in killing of transgender teen

[Stephanie Stevens]

AL.com, AL, USA


Mississippi man facing new murder charge in killing of transgender teen

By Jonece Starr Dunigan | jdun...@al.com

on June 23, 2016 at 8:44 PM, updated June 23, 2016 at 9:12 PM


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A Mississippi man is facing another first-degree murder charge related to the killing of an Alabama transgender teen, WLOX reported.

Josh Vallum was indicted on deliberate design murder charge by a grand jury. He received his first murder charge in December for killing Mercedes Williamson, born Michael Wilkins, in June 2015.

The report said Williamson's body was buried in the woods off Odom Road in

Local and national observers have raised questions about whether Alabama 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson was murdered because of her status as a transgender woman. (photo courtesy George County Sheriff's office)Connor Sheets | csh...@al.com

George County, Mississippi. Vallum turned himself in the same day the body was discovered.

Williamson, 17, of Theodore, was dating Vallum, according to reports.

According to the report, Vallum admitted to killing the victim, but pleaded guilty to all charges.

The suspect is still behind bars on a $1 million bond.


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