Two teens face lifetime prison sentences after being found guilty of murdering trans 16-year-old Brianna Ghey.
On February 11 of this year, Brianna Ghey was lured to Culcheth Linear Park by someone she believed to be a friend. When she arrived, she was confronted by two 15-year-olds, referred to in the case as Boy Y and Girl X and stabbed with a hunting knife 28 times in her head, neck, chest, and back. Her body was found later that same day by a couple of dog walkers.
An investigation was launched which led to the discovery of the bloody knife in Boy Y’s room and a hand-written note detailing the plan for the murder in Girl X’s. The teens were immediately arrested and placed in youth detention. Further investigation uncovered WhatsApp messages between the two suspects discussing targeting Brianna, with Girl X saying she wanted to do it “jus coz its fun lol… I want to see the pure horror on her face and hear her scream.” Boy Y used extensive dehumanizing language in reference to her gender and body, especially her genitals. They had compiled a list of five possible victims, but ultimately decided on Brianna as she would have been an “easier” target.
News of Brianna’s death sparked candlelight vigils across the world. Despite her being bullied in school, her parents described her as “beautiful, witty, and hilarious.” Friends spoke about how Brianna would help younger trans girls safely access hormone replacement therapy. She was also an active member in the online trans community. Over 13,000 people signed a petition to keep her death certificate from misgendering her; unfortunately, this petition was rejected by the British government due to a law preventing minors from changing their legal gender. U.S. civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo described the decision as “a final insult, (in which) the English government will officially misgender her in death.”
After a four-week trial, both suspects were found guilty of “joint enterprise homicide,” which comes with an automatic life sentence. Despite trans women being frequent targets of homicide, investigators do not believe this instance qualified as a hate crime. Nigel Parr, an investigative officer from Cheshire Police, said, “This was a senseless murder committed by two teenagers who have an obsession with murder. Brianna trusted the female defendant, she was betrayed by someone she called her friend.” In the new year, the presiding judge will determine how long the two must serve before being considered for parole.
Photo courtesy of social media
