"In a federal murder case that hinged on trans issues and the dangers of sex work, a 22-year-old sex worker has been sentenced to five years for the killing of a man who picked her up for sex and drove her to the Crissy Field parking lot. Leniyah Butler, the young trans sex worker who was convicted in April of the killing of 32-year-old Hamza Walupupu in November 2023, was sentenced last week to five years in a federal women's prison."
"As the Chronicle reports, federal prosecutors were seeking a 13-year prison term for Butler, calling the killing "callous and deliberate," while Rizk had argued for two years, writing in a court filing, "Twenty four months is surely sufficient for a young, impaired Black transgender victim of trafficking who shot an older, drunk, ill and violent trick' who attacked her out of fear for her life.""
"Ultimately US District Judge Susan Illston appears to have taken some pity on Butler, who initially had difficulty showing remorse for the crime, but later said in a sentencing hearing, "I just want to apologize to the victim's family I wish I could show more emotion, but what I've experienced, what I've been through in life, it's kinda hard to show emotion. I'm deeply sorry.""
Leniyah Butler, a 22-year-old trans sex worker, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for the November 2023 killing of 32-year-old Hamza Walupupu and sentenced to five years in a federal women’s prison. The killing occurred on federal property at Crissy Field, which placed the case in federal court. Butler was acquitted of second-degree murder. Defense counsel argued the shooting was an act of self-defense, citing Butler’s status as a trafficking victim and the alleged violent behavior of the client. Prosecutors sought a longer sentence, calling the killing deliberate. Butler expressed apology but displayed limited outward remorse during sentencing.
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