Dallas Man Sentenced To 10 Years Probation In Death Of Transgender Woman

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DALLAS (KRLD) - A Dallas man is given 10 years probation for killing a transgender woman, but her family says that's not enough.

Jonathan Kenney was living with Janette Tovar back in 2012 when she died after he slammed her head against concrete. Originally he was charged with murder, but later re-indicted on an aggravated assault charge. In exchange for a guilty plea...he got 10 years probation.

Marisa Anguiano is Tovar's cousin and says the family feels the DA's office handled the case differently because Tovar was transgender.

"We have had 4 different prosecutors, 2 different case numbers and several different advocates. None of them would return calls, set up meetings with us and we were ignored." she says. "It had everything to do with the fact she was transgender. I just know it."

In a statement the district attorneys office says "In a tragic case like this one, plea agreements are always difficult." They add that if Kenney violates probation, he could get life in prison.

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