The Man Who Confessed To The NYPD In 2013 Of Murdering Black Trans Woman Islan Nettles Has Finally Been Arrested and Indicted, Yet Now James Dixon Pleads ‘Not Guilty’?


A Brooklyn man named James Dixon was arrested earlier today for the 2013 murder in Harlem of Islan Nettles, a 21 year-old Black woman of trans experience.  

Dixon, 24, has been indicted for both manslaughter and felony assault, and pled not guilty during today’s arraignment. However, Dixon’s not guilty plea is in complete contrast to his *written* and *video*confession of the crime he gave nearly two years ago. On August 21, 2013, just days after the attack, Dixon voluntarily turned himself in to the authorities and gave his admission of guilt statements to officers of the 32nd Precinct. Shockingly, he was still  released from custody and has been at large up until today’s arrest.

On August 17, 2013, Islan Nettles and her girlfriends were walking near Frederick Douglas Blvd and West 148th St in Harlem. A few men approached the women, including Dixon and his friend Paris Wilson, and soon began hurling transphobic and misogynistic words at Nettles. Things quickly escalated and ended with Dixon brutally beating Nettles to the point of her losing consciousness.

She died five days later in Harlem Hospital.

Let’s pray that the NYPD’s and the NYC court’s inadequate handling of this case back in 2013 doesn’t repeat itself this time around. Islan's family and friends have suffered enough and deserve peace. She was a beautiful young 21 year old girl just coming into her own and with big dreams.

Islan’s life mattered.

Dixon’s next court date is March 19th

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