Allen Andrade found guilty in the murder of Angie Zapata

"A Colorado man was convicted of first-degree murder and a bias-motivated crime in the slaying of a transgender teen he met on an online social networking site. Allen Andrade was convicted of murder and a hate crime for killing a transgender teen. It the first time in the nation that a state hate crime statute was used to prosecute a transgender person's murder, the advocacy group Gay Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said. Seated in the front row of the courtroom, the family of Justin "Angie" Zapata broke out in tears as the verdicts were read." From CNN.

Left: image source.

I'm feeling so sad and heartbroken about this. I'm glad that he is being held accountable, but heartbroken that this verdict will not bring Angie Zapata back, will not address the rampant and pervasive homophobia in our society, and will mean another life is spent in the prison system. I hope this verdict brings peace to the friends and family of Angie Zapata. And I wish it was going to be the last trial of someone who committed a violent crime due to their own fear, hatred, and ignorance.