A landmark first prosecution under a federal hate crimes law for the murder of a transgender victim has been successful. Joshua Vallum, 27, of Mississippi pleaded guilty Wednesday for the hate crime of the murder of his ex-girlfriend Mercedes Williamson, a transgender teenager. According to the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, Vallum was aware of Williamson’s … Continue reading Man Will Be First Prosecuted Under Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act for Transgender Murder