A local prosecutor this week said a death-penalty request is possible in the grisly slaying of transgender woman Diamond Williams.
“It’s too early in the process to make that decision,” said Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey W. MacArthur.
In July 2013, Charles N. Sargent allegedly stabbed and decapitated Williams, then deposited her body parts in a vacant lot in Strawberry Mansion.
Sargent reportedly said he became upset with Williams after bringing her to his residence for a sexual encounter, then realizing she was transgender.
Sargent was arrested in July 2013, and his preliminary hearing was scheduled for Sept. 9. But due to a scheduling conflict of defense attorney J. Michael Farrell, the hearing was postponed.
Outside the courtroom, MacArthur said a decision about the death penalty will be made after a preliminary hearing.
“There are only a limited number of situations where the death penalty is applicable, as proscribed by state law,” he said. “After the preliminary hearing, we’ll evaluate whether this case fits within those parameters.”
Input from Williams’ surviving relatives will be sought prior to a final decision, he added.
“Family input is always valuable, along with many other factors,” MacArthur added. “I’ll give my input, too. But the decision is made above me.”
Williams, described by friends as a gentle soul, was 31 at the time of her killing, which MacArthur described as a “brutal and heinous crime.”
Sargent is charged with murder, abuse of corpse and possessing an instrument of crime, but not a hate crime.
“I’ll certainly research that issue, to determine if a bias-crime charge is appropriate,” MacArthur said.
Sargent, 45, has a lengthy rap sheet. He’s being held without bail at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.
On Sept. 9, he was detained in the basement of the CJC but wasn’t brought up to the third-floor courtroom because the hearing was postponed. Preliminary hearings determine whether there’s enough evidence to hold a defendant for trial.
MacArthur said he expects the case eventually will go before a jury.
“The community, in the form of the commonwealth, has a right to have this case judged by the community-at-large in the form of a jury. Unless there’s a plea agreement, I expect there will be a jury trial.”
About 20 LGBTs and allies were in the courtroom last week.
“I was very impressed with the community support shown,” MacArthur said Tuesday. “It’s rare to have so many non-family members attend a preliminary hearing.”
Concerns had been expressed about Sargent’s mental competency. But in July, Municipal Judge Marsha H. Neifield ruled that he’s competent to stand trial.
Sargent’s hearing has been rescheduled to 9 a.m. Oct. 8 in Room 306 of the Criminal Justice Center, 1301 Filbert St.
A police officer and detective are expected to provide testimony at the hearing, MacArthur said, and Municipal Judge David C. Shuter is scheduled to preside.