Trial for Beating of Duanna Johnson to Start April 5 in Memphis
During a recent briefing provided by Administration officials to transgender activists as part of the Congressional Lobby Days organized by the National Center for Transgender Equality, representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the long awaited trial for the February 2008 beating of Duanna Johnson will begin on Monday, April 5, in Federal District Court in Memphis.
Duanna Johnson
This case has brought national attention to Memphis because of the severe brutality of the beating, which was evident on a police surveillance video that was leaked to a Memphis television station in June 2008.
In November 2008, Federal authorities indicted the officer who performed the beating, Bridges McRae, with one count of violating Johnson’s civil rights. Unfortunately, Johnson had been murdered just one week earlier.
If convicted, McRae faces a maximum of 10 years in Federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
To date, no charges have been filed in the case by the State of Tennessee. That responsibility rests with Shelby County District Attorney, Bill Gibbons, who withdrew from the race for Governor this morning. Now that Mr. Gibbons is returning to his job, it is time for him to join Federal authorities in pressing charges in this clear case of police brutality and anti-transgender discrimination.
