On Thursday, November 9, Kendrell Lavar Lyles, who had pleaded guilty earlier this week to the murder of 22-year-old transgender woman Muhlaysia Booker, was sentenced to 48 years in prison.
Muhlaysia's mother, Stephanie Houston, angrily addressed Lyles: "Damn you! Nothing but hell and death is going to come to you and I tell you right now satan, and I’m talking to you Kendrell Lyles, you are the devil and you have no victory here, your rein is over here, devil!" Muhlaysia's sister, La'Quincia Taylor, branded Lyles a coward, stating, "I wanted to get up here and ask you why you did it, but I know why you did it. You’re a coward. You're no man. That gun made you feel like you had power, but you got no power. I serve a good God, and you will reap what you sow." As reported by NBC DFW.
Family members and friends submitted victim impact statements, which the defendant disregarded. Houston recounted how Lyles had shot Muhlaysia through her head and neck before discarding her body on the streets. Muhlaysia was a sex worker and a victim of discrimination and violence due to her transgender identity.
The jury learned about Muhlaysia's previous physical assault in April 2019, a month before her murder, and how a video of the attack had since gone viral. On the occasion, a group of brave women intervened and rushed her to a hospital after she was beaten by several men following a car accident.
Jordan Ford, a close friend of Muhlaysia's, during spoke in trial about her role as a mentor within the LGBTQ+ community and her commitment to raising awareness of the violence transgender people continue to face. Ford stated, Muhlaysia "refused to be silenced in adversity" and inspired many with her unwavering determination as reported by NBC DFW.
Although the family wished for a more severe punishment, the prosecution believes justice for Muhlaysia has been served. Michael Chang, an assistant district attorney for Dallas County, remarked that Lyles also faces two murder charges in Collin County for the 2019 killings of Leticia Grant and Kenneth Cichocki. Ahmad Goree, Board President of the Muhlaysia Booker Foundation.
Outside the courtroom, Muhlaysia's mother vows to continue advocacy, voicing her wish to change the world's view of transgender individuals involved in sex work out of necessity, and to highlight their right to live "healthy, long lives," NBC DFW reported.
