March 1, 2016
He's No Homophobe: Trans Ex-Lover Testifies in Defense of Accused Mark Carson Killer
READ TIME: 1 MIN.
The case against the accused killer of a gay man in Greenwich Village in 2013 took an even more bizarre turn Tuesday when a transgender woman, who claims to be the defendant's ex-lover, took the stand to testify, The New York Daily News reports.
"Jane Smith" (her name withheld from the press and jury), 38, appeared in court in Tuesday to testify for accused killer Elliot Morales, who is also acting as his own attorney.
During testimony, Morales, who is being charged with murder as a hate crime, asked Smith if he had ever displayed any ill feelings towards gays, lesbians or "transexuals."
"Not that I recall," she replied.
According to Smith, she was always open with Morales (whom she met online) about being transgender.
During cross-examination, Smith admitted that her relationship with Morales was not romantic and just for sex.
"We were never in a relationship. It was a sexual relationship," she said. "Me and Elliot we hooked up throughout the years many times."
According to the NYDN, Smith has a criminal record that includes grand larceny and assault. She is currently on probation.
Morales is accused of the murder of Mark Carson, a gay man in New York City during the spate of anti-gay violence that plagued Gotham in the spring of 2013.
