In a heartbreaking chapter of true crime, DeAllen Price, 29, has been sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison for the 2021 murder of his girlfriend, Taya Ashton, 20. This story, originally reported by DC News Now, WUSA, and WTOP, highlights the tragic reality faced by many transgender individuals and raises questions about hate-fueled violence.
Ashton, a young woman just starting her life, was shot and killed in her Maryland apartment by Price. He admitted his guilt in court, pleading guilty to second-degree murder and using a firearm in a violent crime. According to Assistant State's Attorney Sherrie Waldrup, Price and Ashton were in a relationship, and the attack occurred after he learned about Taya's transgender identity.
"He told the court that he was in an intimate relationship with Taya, and that that evening was when he first learned about her trans identity," Waldrup explained, according to DC News Now. "He then shot her."
This chilling confession, described by Waldrup as "disturbing," sent shockwaves through the community. Shortly after Ashton's death, the Human Rights Campaign spoke out against the violence targeting transgender individuals, particularly Black transgender women.
"Taya deserved to live a full life," stated Lindsey Clark, Associate Director of the Transgender Justice Initiative at HRC. "This violence against our community is unacceptable. We must all stand together – friends, family, allies, everyone – to raise our voices and dismantle the stigma and violence that transgender and gender non-conforming people face every day."
Price's sentencing, while bringing a measure of justice for Taya's family and friends, cannot erase the tragedy of her life cut short. This case serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat hate-fueled violence and advocate for the safety and acceptance of all people, regardless of their gender identity.
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