PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — LGBTQ community leaders are calling for justice after the district attorney identified a suspect in connection with the death of 33-year-old Mar’Quis “MJ” Jackson, a Black transgender man killed in December 2022.
The victim’s sister, Markiya Jackson, held back tears Wednesday afternoon at social services nonprofit GALAEI in North Philadelphia, where District Attorney Larry Krasner announced an arrest warrant for 40-year-old Charles Mitchell.
On Dec. 14, 2022, police found Jackson face down in Mitchell’s backyard in North Philadelphia. Jackson had suffered multiple blunt force traumas to the head, according to the medical examiner.
Krasner urged the public to come forward with information that could lead to Mitchell’s arrest and prosecution.
“My brother deserves justice. My family deserves justice,” said Markiya. “I really hope someone comes forward very soon.”
Markiya stood with her family, LGBTQ community leaders and family of others lost to violence, including Shahere “Diamond” Jackson-McDonald and Tracy “Mia” Green, both Black transgender women, both victims of Philadelphia gun violence.
Activist and violence survivor Kendall Stephens said what started as a typical press conference quickly transformed into a moment of community solidarity.
“Finally they’re acknowledging our pain and that we’re human beings, validating our existence and experiences,” she said. “We’re seeing justice served.”
However, Stephens said, there is still work to be done. To help keep LGBTQ people safe, it will be important to “keep impressing upon state lawmakers to include us, LGBTQ folks, as protected classes under the existing Pennsylvania hate crime bill.”
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