Man who admits pushing trans woman into river will not face manslaughter charges
A man who admitted to pushing a trans woman into a river to her death will not receive a conviction.
Kenne McFadden, 26 was alleged to have been pushed into the San Antonio river by Mark Daniel Lewis, 20.
However, when the case was presented by the prosecution as heralding a manslaughter charge when Lewis admitted that he had pushed McFadden to the river, State District Judge Joey Contreras ruled that it did not rise to the level of criminal conduct that meant he had violated his probation.
“I think this is a terrible tragedy that occurred,” the judge said.
Yet in spite of those thoughts, he decided it was “not true” that Lewis had violated the terms of his probation.
Joanna McFadden, the victim’s mother collapsed in the courtroom and was taken to a hospital by paramedics after the ruling was made, reported The Houston Chronicle.
Lewis, who was seen kissing McFadden, alleged that he pushed her away when she attempted to grope him.
He did not attempt to rescue McFadden as she drowned in the river.
Misgendering the victim, Lewis said “I didn’t mean to push him into the river. I meant to push him away”.
The defence argued that the response was reasonable under the circumstances, while the prosecution argued that an excessive amount of force was used.
McFadden’s body was floating in the San Antonio River last April.