James Dixon, who pleaded guilty earlier this month to killing Islan Nettles in 2013 because she was transgender, was sentenced today to 12 years in prison. Prosecutors had originally asked for 17 years, and at today's sentencing, Nettles's family pleaded with the court, saying that 12 years is not enough.
"For him to only get 12 years—that’s not right," Nettles's 19-year-old sister, Sky Nettles, said today, adding, "My sister couldn't even speak. She didn't look like herself...She looked like a monster."