Virginia on Wednesday became the 12th state to ban the gay and trans “panic” defense, a controversial legal strategy that allows a defendant to explain violent crimes based on their discovery of the victim’s gender identity.
Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed legislation that bans use of the defense for murder or voluntary manslaughter charges. The bill (HB 2132) passed the state House 58-42 and Senate 23-15 in February.
LGBTQ advocates hailed the bill as a significant step in rolling back the trans panic defense in states ...
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