Syracuse, New York: No Bail For Suspect In Transgender Murder Of Lateisha Green

November 17, 2008

Syracuse, New York (WSYR-TV) - Dwight DeLee, the suspect accused of shooting and killing a transgender woman Friday night because she was transgender, is being held without bail after a court appearance.

Police say DeLee, 20, shot and killed 22-year-old Latiesha Green. She was living as a female, known to family and friends as Latiesha Green.

DeLee was arraigned Monday morning in Syracuse City Court on a charge of second degree Murder. No bail was set and he remains in custody.

A friend told Lateisha Green and her brother Mark Cannon, 18, to stop by a party at 411 Seymour Street on Friday night. When they pulled up to the police, police say a number of people took issue with their arrival because the Lateisha was transgender and her brother was gay.

DeLee allegedly walked up to their parked car and began shouting profanities. Police say he then went inside the house and came back out with a 22-caliber rifle.

DeLee fired a single round through the driver’s side window, according to police. The bullet grazed Mark Cannon’s arm and hit Latiesha Green in the chest.

Mark, who was sitting in the driver’s seat, drove to Arthur Street where an ambulance picked them up and took them to University Hospital. Latiesha Green was later pronounced dead. Mark was treated and released.

DeLee fled the party after the shooting and police later found him at a home in Liverpool where he was arrested.

Police say DeLee has a history of weapons and drug charges on file.