Angie Zapata's Murderer Sentenced to Life
Man Convicted for Murder/Hate Crime in Death of Transgender Woman
Apr 24, 2009
Allen Ray Andrade was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the death of Angie Zapata, an American transgender woman, in Colorado. He was convicted of first degree murder, hate crimes and theft for the brutal beating death of 18-year-old Angie. The trial marked the first time that Colorado’s gender identity-inclusive hate crimes statute was used in a murder case of a transgender person.
Angie Zapata's Life
Angie Zapata was born August 5, 1989 in Fort Lupton, Colorado. She had known she was transgender from a young age and at 16 she began living full-time as a woman. She had a large family and was the second of six children. Though being transgender could have made her an outcast, her family and friends were supportive of her for who she was.
Her brother, Gonzalo, spoke for the family in conveying their love for Angie even if she was seen as different by the rest of the world. "We want to make things clear: Angie was our sister, an aunt and a daughter. Life was sometimes difficult for her, and we learned along with her to understand that she was born a girl with a body that was wrong for her."
While she had the love and support of those around her, not everyone in their community was so understanding. Angie was harassed at school and when the administration did little to help her, she dropped out. After leaving school, she moved to Greely and began caring for nieces and nephews full-time.
The Murder of Angie Zapata
No one is quite sure how Angie met Allen Ray Andrade, but it is believed they came into contact through a mobile social networking site. On July 17, 2008, Andrade murdered Angie in her apartment after discovering she was transgender. He beat her with his fists and then continued to bash in her head with a fire extinguisher. Once determining she was dead, he stole Angie's car and fled the scene.
On July 28, 2008, Andrade was arrested inside Angie's car when police were responding to a noise complaint in an apartment complex. He told investigators, he had "killed it."
Conviction and Sentencing of Andrade
Andrade tried to claim he killed Angie without thinking after learning she was transgender. The defense tried to blame the victim for the crime, claiming Angie misled Andrade about her gender identity so when he discovered she had been born biologically male he went temporarily insane. The "trans panic" defense was unsuccessful. The jury deliberated for two hours before convicting Andrade of first degree murder, hate crimes, as well as car and identity theft. He was then sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The trial of Andrade was the first time that Colorado’s gender identity-inclusive hate crimes statute was used in a murder case of a transgender person.
After the sentencing, Gonzalo spoke for the family and delivered a message to the community and to politicians, “In memory of Angie, we call on Colorado’s leaders to pass a federal hate crime law to protect everyone. Justice was achieved for my sister today. A message was sent loud and clear that crimes targeting LGBT will not be tolerated in Colorado, and specifically Weld County." In an effort to carry on Angie's memory and support federal hate crime legislation, the Zapata family runs a End Hate Campaign to raise awareness.
Though the family may be able to see the man who murdered Angie behind bars, sadly they will never have true justice. Angie is still gone.
