BREAKING: Murder Trial Begins for Death of Black Trans Woman, Cemia Acoff
Cemia Dove Acoff
Yesterday, the murder trial of Andrey Bridges, the man accused of killing a 20-year-old black transgender woman, Cemia “Ce Ce” Dove Acoff, began in Cleveland, Ohio. Bridges is charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse.
On April 17, Acoff’s body was found in a pond. She had been stabbed to death and there was a rope around her waist that was tied to a concrete block and a steel pipe. Her body was badly decomposed, indicating she was killed some time ago. Acoff was reported missing on March 27.
On May 4, local police working with the FBI Fugitive Task Force arrested Bridges in connection with Acoff’s homicide. The 36-year-old had a criminal record that included trafficking cocaine and domestic violence. According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, Bridges stabbed Acoff multiple times on January 5, several months before her body was found.
During the trial, Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Brian Radigan briefly described for the jury how police used taxi cab call records to link Bridges to the crime. He didn’t present a motive but said witnesses would tell the story as the trial unfolded.
Andrey Bridges
Cleveland City Councilman Joe Cimperman has previously said he believes the murder should be treated as a hate crime.
According to the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), 73 percent of all anti-LGBT violence homicide victims in 2012 were people of color, yet LGBTQ and HIV-affected people of color only represented 53 percent of total survivors and victims. Fifty-four percent of total victims were transgender women, yet transgender survivors and victims only represent ten percent of total reports to NCAVP.
Hate crimes against trans women often go unreported and unsolved. ELIXHER will continue to monitor this trial as details develop.
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