"Prosecutors said Karlow shouted insults and called her a "drag queen" before punching her in the mouth when she attempted to record the harassment. Witnesses said multiple attackers then punched and kicked her while shouting anti-transgender slurs. Holcepl suffered broken teeth, facial injuries, and a brain bleed before escaping to a restaurant for help."
"Jurors determined the assault met Washington state's legal definition of a hate crime, concluding Holcepl was targeted because of her gender identity. During sentencing in King County Superior Court, prosecutors also referenced a recorded jail call in which Karlow said: "If I didn't hate trans people before, I do now, absolutely. I think that Donald Trump should kill them all.""
"Assistant prosecutor Yessenia Manzo told the court that attacks like the one on Holcepl reinforce fears many transgender people feel about their safety in public spaces. According to reports, Karlow appeared largely remorseless during sentencing proceedings as the judge imposed an 84-month prison term for the 2025 attack."
Andre Karlow was sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of second-degree assault and committing a hate crime against transgender woman Andie Holcepl in March 2025. The attack occurred in Seattle's University District when Karlow and other men harassed Holcepl, with Karlow punching her after she attempted to record the incident. Multiple attackers then continued assaulting her with punches and kicks while shouting anti-transgender slurs. Holcepl sustained broken teeth, facial injuries, and a brain bleed. A jury determined the assault met Washington state's hate crime legal definition based on her gender identity. During sentencing, prosecutors presented a jail recording where Karlow expressed extreme anti-transgender views. This was not Karlow's first offense; he previously assaulted a transgender fare ambassador in 2024.
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