[News] [CA, USA] Transsexual Woman Sentenced To State Prison For Crime Committed As A Man
Stephanie Stevens
Transsexual Woman Sentenced To State Prison For Crime Committed As A Man
March 2, 2012 3:32 PM
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A transsexual woman was sentenced Friday to 11
years to life in state prison for a crime she committed as a man
nearly two years ago.
Andre Torres, 40, was found guilty Feb. 15 of attempted murder after
reportedly plunging a butcher knife into the back of a workers’
compensation attorney on May 20, 2010.
Torres, who prosecutors say was “presenting as a male” at the time of
the crime, attacked Joseph Rippinger in a courtroom at the Junipero
Serra state office building in downtown Los Angeles.
Deputy District Attorney Hilary Williams says Rippinger told someone
over the phone what law firm he worked for. Torres then entered the
courtroom and attacked the attorney.
Torres had unsuccessfully disputed a workers’ compensation settlement.
The firm Rippington worked for was the same one that had opposed
Torres’ claim.
Rippinger had not been involved in Torres’ case, according to the prosecutor.
During the attack — which took place in the same courtroom where
Torres’ prior case was heard — Rippinger was able to knock the knife
out of Torres’ hand, corner him and scream for help, with another
attorney rushing in to help subdue Torres, Williams said.
The victim later underwent two surgeries.
Torres was referred to in Los Angeles Superior Court by Judge Edmund
Willcox Clarke Jr. as “Miss Torres.”
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