Homicide Victim Identified as Transgendered Person, Duanna Johnson

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Updated: 12/29/2008 11:10 am
MEMPHIS, TN – Duanna Johnson was found shot to death in North Memphis, according to her lawyer.

Memphis police say it happened just before midnight at Hollywood near Staten Avenue, Sunday, November 9, 2008.

According to detectives, when officers arrived at the scene, they found the body lying in the street. Police say a witness heard gunfire and then saw three people running away from the scene. Investigators do not have any suspects at this time.

Lawyer Murray Wells confirmed to Eyewitness News that the person who was killed is his client Duanna Johnson. He says Johnson was often in the area where she was killed.

Murray says Johnson was trying to leave Memphis and go back to her hometown of Chicago. According to Murray, Jonson was just about homeless trying to live in Memphis. He says the apartment where Jonson was living did not have power. Murray says he was helping Johnson buy a bus ticket to Chicago.

Johnson was the subject of an alleged video taped beating that happened in June of 2008. Johnson, who had been arrested on a prostitution charge, said former Memphis Police Officer Bridges McRae beat her after making derogatory remarks about her sexuality. Johnson said another man, Officer J. Swain, held her down during the beating. Both officers were fired from the department.

Memphis Police are asking anyone with information about Duanna Johnson’s death to call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.
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messi9999 - 11/25/2012 10:01 PM
0 Votes
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persontoperson - 11/17/2008 4:55 PM
0 Votes
You have to stay the way God made you? Hmmm...guess that person has never heard of hermaphrodite. From time to time, the body's chromosomes do not meet the mind's thought process. The person's physicality does not meet what the mind perceives it to be, therefore we have transgendered individuals. People living out the perception that the mind and heart feels. Besides, it is not for any of us to judge the other. There is only one true judge of our lifestyles...leave it to Him.

new user - 11/15/2008 6:51 PM
0 Votes
Everybody know that the po po's did it. He ain't the first and surely not the last. My heart goes out the Mr.Larry Neal family don't give up!

Vickie - 11/14/2008 3:24 PM
0 Votes
The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is asking that we all help collect money for the Duanna Johnson's Funeral Fund. The TTPC website has a link to donate money to Duanna Johnsons' Funeral Fund. Please go to the site and donate at least a little. If we all help out just a little we can take care of Duanna Johnson's final expenses. http://ttgpac.com/

Denouncer - 11/13/2008 9:17 AM
0 Votes
I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERYONE IS SO SHOCKED THERE ARE PEOPLE ON HERE BEING IGNORANT ABOUT SOMEONE BEING MURDERED. AND THEN SOMEONE IS TRYING TO GIVE EXCUSES FOR THESE IGNORANT EVIL COMMENTS. IF YOU ARE TELLING ME THAT A PERSON SHOULD BE MURDERED BEING THEY ARE SELLING SEX, THEN EVERY WOMEN WHO EVER ENTERED PROSTITUTION SHOULD BE KILLED. YOU GUYS WILL NEVER EVER CHANGE UNTIL YOU ARE DEAD AND GONE. AND GOD IS GOING TO LET ALL OF YOU REMEMBER HOW YOU FELT AND ACTED WHEN SOMEONE WHO YOU DISAGREED WITH THEIR LIFESTYLE WAS A VICTIM OF BRUTALITY OR MURDER. YOUR HEARSS ATRE LIKE COLD ICE, AND THE DEVIL IS SMILING AT ALL OF YOU WHO DOES HIS WORK. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT THE ONE WHO DID THE MURDER, DOES NOT EXCLUDE YOU FROM SIN. WISHING HARM ON A GAY PERSON IS A SIN

Denouncer - 11/13/2008 9:13 AM
1 Vote
No matter what happens they are not going to catch the murderers. We are a long way off from complete justice for every US citizen. First it was lack luster police work for African Americans, and now it is for sexual orientation. Look at what the two officers did to this person before the murder. I hope God catches those cowards, and allow them to suffer their fate soon. Anyone who has any kind of good feelings towards this tragedy, are nothing more than the devil's workers doing his hate for him.

lynngal - 11/12/2008 2:23 PM
1 Vote
Its definitely a set up.The white police in Memphis still have that KKK mentality and there is a double standardand they will use any means necessary to get back @ you. I've lived in Memphis all my life and know how they operate,my brother was home on leave from the navy and was walking to Orange Mound Comm. Ctr and was told he looked liked the ni...r they had been looking for,and it could'nt have been him because he had just gotten in town after being deployed in Iraq for 2 yrs. they told him to get the squad car and kicked him in his but when he went to bend and get in the car. When they found out my mom's 1st cousin was chief of police - suddenly everybody was so apologetic,so the moral is treat everybody with respect and dignity.they had something to do with this guys death!!!

lynngal - 11/12/2008 2:15 PM
0 Votes
Its definitely a set up.The white police in Memphis still have that KKK mentality and there is a double standardand they will use any means necessary to get back @ you. I've lived in memphis all my life and know how they operate,my brother was home on leave from the navy and was walking to Orange Mound Comm. Ctr and was told he looked liked the n...r they had been looking for,and it could'nt have been him because he had just in town after being deployed in iraq for 2 yrs. they told him to get the squad car and keep him in his but when he went to bend and get in the car. When they found out my mom's 1st cousin was chief of police - suddenly everybody was so apologetic,so the moral is treat everybody with respect and dignity.they had something to do with this guys death!!!

prettieloud - 11/12/2008 1:37 PM
0 Votes
saviourlisa - if the incident was caught on tape how is the VICTIM lying. Sounds like you'll help the problem stay a problem.

prettieloud - 11/12/2008 1:35 PM
0 Votes
saviourlisa - it was caught on tape so how is the VICTIM lying. sounds like your down with the problem.
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