The trial of transgender murder victim Angie Zapata goes to the jury today in Colorado, and marks the first time the state will try a case in which gender identity — recognized as a protected class by Colorado and 11 other states — gets hate crime status.

The killer, one Allen Andrade, claims he lost control upon learning Angie’s gender but prosecutors say the killing — by blunt force trauma with a fire extinguisher — was premeditated:

But prosecutor Brandi Nieto argued that Andrade learned the truth about Zapata’s gender 36 hours before he killed her. Andrade had accompanied Zapata to traffic court, where clerks called her Justin Zapata, Nieto said.

“This was not a snap decision,” she said.

Last month, a judge threw out Andrade’s confession to police, saying it came after the suspect told them he was through answering questions. Prosecutors say they intend to use statements he made to others, including, “It’s not like I . . . killed a straight, law-abiding citizen.”

Wow, what a heartless individual.

The L.A. Times reports that controversy has erupted in the courtroom as the defense attorney insisted on referring to Angie as “Justin” or “he”, while the prosecution referred to her as “she”.

The video above shows coverage of the trial from earlier this week. The question that remains is what Andrade will be charged with. Since his defense concedes he is guilty, it’s now up to jurors to decide whether he will be charged with 1st degree murder — which will mean life in prison without parole — or a lesser charge.

Via / L.A. Times