Accused attacker of trans woman headed to trial
The 23-year-old homeless man accused of attacking and robbing three individuals, including a transgender woman, was held for trial on all charges at a Jan. 28 preliminary hearing.
Marcus Jones will face a charge of attempted murder in relation to the incident involving the 53-year-old transgender woman, who was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital in critical condition after the Aug. 18 attack.
Philadelphia police responded to a call reporting an assault about 1 p.m. in the 900 block of North Watts Street. Officers found the woman unconscious. Video surveillance later obtained showed a man police say is Jones punching and kicking the victim until she was unconscious. The man in the video repeatedly stomped on her face before fleeing with her purse.
The woman and the suspect were known to each other, police spokesperson Officer Tanya Little told PGN in August, but police did not believe Jones targeted the woman because she is transgender.
The investigation revealed two men who said they had also been assaulted and robbed by a man matching Jones’ description. Jones is being held in Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility awaiting further court action, according to court documents.
Philly to host conference for African-American doctors
The National Medical Association, a professional group promoting the interests of African-American physicians and patients, will hold its 2017 conference in Philadelphia, the organization announced last week at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
The conference is slated for July 27-Aug. 3 and is expected to draw 3,500 people to the city, according to the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau. It was last held in Philadelphia in 2003.
Dr. Edith P. Mitchell, a local doctor who works with the Kimmel Cancer Center and serves as president of the National Medical Association, emphasized the importance of partnerships to address health disparities.
She said the city, Thomas Jefferson University and Jefferson Health Systems among others are fighting “the barriers that have an impact on disparities in medicine.”
Mitchell said the goal is to “head toward health-care equity for all.”
Martin Hamlette, NMA executive director, said the group uses its conference to tackle issues of access, health equity, chronic conditions and aging and wellness.
“Philadelphia was chosen not only because it is a vibrant city,” Hamlette said, “not only because it’s a progressive city, not only because it’s a good city in which to conduct business, but because it is a city that embraces diversity.”
DVLF seeking HEROES nominations
DVLF, an LGBT philanthropy organization, is taking nominations for its 10th annual HEROES Awards.
The deadline is Feb. 19. Nomination forms are available at: http://ow.ly/XOQyi.
The organization honors youth, adults, nonprofits, straight allies and businesses “who have bold ideas, act with selfless intention, are admired for their integrity and are regarded as courageous in advancing the equality of the LGBT community in the Delaware Valley and beyond.”
The reception for award winners and friends takes place April 17 at Hotel Monaco, 433 Chestnut St.
For more information, visit www.dvlf.org.
— Paige Cooperstein
Brief filed in cab case
Attorneys for Mark M. Seaman recently filed a legal brief with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations pertaining to Seaman’s complaint that he was wrongfully ejected from a taxi cab due to his sexual orientation.
In December 2009, Seaman and his then-partner were traveling in a cab from Philadelphia International Airport to Center City. After Seaman kissed his partner, both men were ejected by the driver.
Shortly after the incident, Seaman filed an antibias complaint against PHL Taxi Co. with the PCHR.
The PCHR is trying to determine whether PHL breached its legal obligations under the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance.
The legal brief recently filed on behalf of Seaman isn’t available to the public, according to the PCHR.
“[T]he brief is not a public document and as such there is a restriction on making this document public by releasing it to the press,” according to the PCHR.
City appeals cop ruling
City officials are appealing a ruling in the case of Detective Kenneth Rossiter, who claims he was wrongfully dismissed from the Philadelphia police force due to his union activities.
Rossiter, who’s handled several LGBT-related murder cases, was dismissed from the force in July 2012, but an arbitrator ordered him reinstated nine months later.
When announcing Rossiter’s dismissal, then-Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey accused Rossiter of overtime abuses.
In a federal lawsuit, Rossiter claims his dismissal was retaliatory, due to his union activities. He’s seeking an unspecified amount in compensatory and punitive damages from the city.
In December, U.S. District Judge Gerald A. McHugh refused to dismiss Rossiter’s suit. Last week, the city appealed McHugh’s ruling to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
James E. Beasley, an attorney for Rossiter, expressed optimism that Rossiter would have his day in court.
“I think Judge McHugh got it right,” Beasley told PGN. “I don’t think the city will be successful on appeal. And I’m confident my client will get a chance to let a jury decide who is right.”
City attorney Elise Bruhl, who’s handling the appeal, declined to comment.
In 2007, Rossiter helped secure a first-degree murder conviction for Barry Mason, who shot to death Jamil Burton, an openly gay youth, after an alleged robbery in Center City. Mason died in prison in April.
Shephard trial transcript delivered to judge
The complete state-trial transcript regarding the murder of Jason Shephard has been delivered to a magistrate judge who must consider whether a new trial is necessary.
In 2008, William F. Smithson Jr. was convicted of murdering Shephard inside Smithson’s home, located in Thornton, Pa.
Smithson was sentenced to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole.
But Smithson claims F. Bruce Covington, who was also inside Smithson’s home when Shephard died, wasn’t adequately investigated.
Smithson’s appeal for a new trial remains pending with U.S. Magistrate Judge Richard A. Lloret.
On Jan. 21, Lloret received a complete transcript of Smithson’s murder trial, which he must review before issuing a recommendation about a new trial.
Delaware County prosecutors had no comment for this update.
— Timothy Cwiek