Trial Continues For Killer Of Transgender Human-Rights Lawyer

The trial continues in the death of Sonia Burgess, a successful human-rights attorney who died last October after being pushed off a London train platform by a fellow trans woman. Burgess—who practiced law under her male name, David, but otherwise identifed as female—had attempted to befriend the accused, Senthooran Kanagasingham, but expressed concerns about Kanagasingham’s mental health. (While Kanagasingham was previously known as “Nina,” he’s expressed a desire to be known by his birth name and male gender during the trial.)

Kanagasingham, 35, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, claiming he was suffering from an episode of paranoid schizophrenia.

“Sonia was caring and generous with her time. She was tolerant of others and she habitually helped others with their problems,” said prosecutor Brian Altman. She befriended Kanagasingham but was wary of his emotional state—in part concerned that  hormones were having a negative affect and that Kanagasingham was exhibiting signs of psychosis.

The Queen’s Counsel is putting forth the case that the murder was premeditated, as Kanagasingham resented Burgess’ concerns about his transition and stability.  The two had just left Kanagasingham’s doctor when  Kanagasingham pushed Mr Burgess from the platform at the King’s Cross Underground station.

Altman said the killing was “born of anger and malice” and that “significant factors other than any abnormality of mental functioning were at play.”

 Source: UK Telegraph