On December 27, a transgender girl named Meghan Riley Lewis was shot and killed in Bel Air. (X/Twitter)
Without posting bail, a gentleman who was accused of killing and assaulting transgender activist Meghan Riley Lewis has been released from custody.
On December 27, 2023, 57-year-old Meghan Riley Lewis was shot in the parking lot of her Bel Air apartment complex in Los Angeles. The transgender advocate’s family, who had two children, was rushed to the hospital, where she passed away.
At the scene of the shooting, 47-year-old Brian Delen was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and assault.
Bel Air Police reported that Delen was giving Lewis a meal when they got into a fight. According to regional news outlet WJZ-TV, the argument was started when Delen is accused of misgendering Lewis.
According to the authorities, the argument eventually became physical, and Delen pulled out a gun to shoot Lewis in the torso.
According to CBS News, Delen has now been placed on GPS house monitoring and released without bail.
LGBTQ+ friends and supporters have harshly criticized the decision to release Delen, which on Monday, January 8, sparked a demonstration outside the courthouse in Harford County.
Baltimore Safe Haven, a neighborhood LGBTQ+ advocacy group, organized the protest to make sure that the trans activist’s death was not unjustified and would spark change.
Iya Dammons, the leader of Baltimore Safe Haven, stated that “Harford County is ultimately sending a message to LGBTQ people that they are not giving out justice to transgender people.”
Delen was to be detained and charged with a hate crime, according to activists.
Renee Lau, another Baltimore Safe Haven supporter, said, “This person took a life.”
“He took the life of a person who cared and who would treat him with
the same respect as she would her own kids.” More investigation is required into this.
“It is unacceptable for someone facing a second-degree murder charge to be set free, and Meghan is unable to speak for herself.”
Prosecutors stated in a statement released on Tuesday (9 January) that they are “working diligently with the Bel Air Police Department and the authorities assigned to this case, who are conducting an extensive investigation, to examine all evidence and determine what additional charges are appropriate.” This is in response to calls for Delen to be charged with hate crimes.
The State vs. Brian Delen case’s next hearing is set for January 25. Delen could spend up to 85 years in prison if he is found guilty of his current charges.
Those who knew Lewis cherished their memories of her, especially for her activist work with the hungry and homeless LGBTQ+ community.
Lewis was described by friends on WJZ-TV as a “very open, loving, and beautiful person” who had started a patient support group for trans people traveling to Baltimore for life-saving surgery.
