He killed a trans woman because he “had to do it.” Now he’s going away for decades.
A Minneapolis man, Damarean Bible, was sentenced to 30 years and six months in prison for the murder of a trans woman.
“While nothing can change the fact that Savannah’s family will have to live with the pain of her loss for the rest of their lives, we asked for an extensive sentence to ensure that Mr. Bible will not be able to harm anyone else,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said.
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Bible, 25, was found guilty of second-degree murder of Savannah Williams, 39, in August. Two-thirds of this sentence will likely be served in prison, while the rest will be under supervised probation.
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Williams was a sex worker who was paid to have sex with Bible on November 29, 2023, at around 9 a.m. They met at the bus stop on Lake Street and traveled to a courtyard on the 3000 block at 4th Ave S. Bible shot her in the head and left her to die, reportedly having killed her because she “made him feel suspicious.” In a call with his father, he confessed to the crime, saying he felt bad but “had to do it.”
People who knew Williams suspect that her murder was motivated by bias. However, prosecutors didn’t seek bias crimes charges because they said they lacked evidence to prove a bias-related motive.
“The fact that we could not charge this as a bias crime does not change the impact that this crime has had on making our trans community feel less safe,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Across the country and in our community, hateful acts of violence against transgender people are on the rise. Every time a trans person is attacked, the entire community feels less safe.”
“Our community is still grieving and healing from the horrific violence that ended the life of our trans/two-spirit relative, Savannah Ryan Williams, and her family deserves justice,” said out state Rep. Brion Curran (D) in a statement.
Trans people, especially trans people of color, are at a heightened risk of becoming victims of violent crime. Hate crimes are on the rise across the nation, including in Minnesota, according to data from the Department of Justice.
Tori Cooper, Director of Community Engagement for the Human Rights Campaign’s Transgender Justice Initiative, said in a statement, “It is so clear to me that Savannah’s life touched so many, and that her absence lessens her community. Trans people are beautiful and powerful and resilient – and yet the epidemic of violence we face stole Savannah from those who loved her. Our condolences go out to Savannah’s partner and family as we all continue this long journey, building a world together where every trans person has a chance to thrive.”
“Whether or not this is a crime that was bias-motivated, what we know is true is that our trans people of color in the state of Minnesota, in the city of Minneapolis, around the country are pushed to the edges of our society,” said out state Rep. Leigh Finke (D). “And when we do not take care of the people who are under our care, tragic outcomes occur.”
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