A transgender killer has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for “manslaughter” after brutally stabbing a Portland taxi driver to death on April 9, 2023.
Musa J. was convicted. Lopez, 30, is charged with first-degree manslaughter and one count of unlawful use of a weapon in the unprovoked fatal attack on Reece McDowell Lawn, 43.
Footage from inside the cab showed Lopez sitting in the back seat wearing a crown and women's clothing.
Lopez refused to apologize for the murder, instead playing the victim.
The Oregonian reports:
Lopez had gone out partying earlier that night in downtown Portland, but the evening took a turn for the worse, so Lopez called 911 and asked for a ride home. The operator told Lopez to call a cab, but the cab radio dispatcher entered the wrong address, Lopez said.
“I ended up in a very scary part of town where I was really scared,” Lopez said. “I refuse to apologize for the lack of help I so desperately needed.”
They often fear being targeted because they identify as trans people, Lopez said.
Lawhon was driving to the correct location when Lopez stabbed him in the neck using a brass-knuckle dagger.
Transgender killer Moses Jacob Lopez has refused to apologize in court and portrayed himself as the victim after he brutally murdered an innocent taxi driver. Lopez smiled and justified the murder, claiming there was no help from 911 services. pic.twitter.com/w8XCIVClBy
— US Crime (@OfficialUScrime) February 23, 2024
When Lawhon's mother spoke to the court and called Lopez a monster, the killer smiled.