Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Charges Dropped In Deadly Beating Of Transgender Woman
By
Lauren Evans
Published Nov 20, 2013
Modified Nov 20, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Lauren Evans
Published Nov 20, 2013
Modified Nov 20, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Misdemeanor charges against a Harlem man accused of fatally beating transgender woman Islan Nettles have been dropped, due to confusion over who was involved in the assault.
The Manhattan DA will continue to investigate homicide charges against 20-year-old Paris Wilson, DNAinfo reports, but the case has been complicated by the confession of a second suspect who claims that he was the assailant, despite the fact that he was too intoxicated to remember the attack.
Though prosecutors believe only one person assaulted the 21-year-old Nettles in Harlem in August, witnesses are divided on whether it was Wilson or the other, unidentified man who committed the crime. The inconsistency has thus far prevented the DA's office from bringing the case before the grand jury.
Nettles was out with two transgender friends the night of August 17 when several men began stalking the them on Frederick Douglass Boulevard near 148th Street. Police say that they believe the incident was sparked after Wilson made a pass at Nettles and was shocked to learn she was not born a woman.
Tagged
harlem
hate crime
islan nettles
murder
transgender
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens mother charged with murder in death of 5-year-old daughter, NYPD says
Francis Cabello, 32, was arrested and charged on Thursday.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 16, 2026 at 11:57 a.m. ET
NYC’s whiplash weather continues into weekend with heavy winds, chilly temps, NWS says
Friday expect scattered showers and thunder, cooler temperatures Saturday, and a sunny Sunday.
By
Monica Melton
News
NYC’s whiplash weather continues into weekend with heavy winds, chilly temps, NWS says
Friday expect scattered showers and thunder, cooler temperatures Saturday, and a sunny Sunday.
By
Monica Melton
Early Addition: Winning an affordable housing lottery is great unless it's not
By
James Ramsay
Mamdani and 100+ NY officials urge parking lot owners to ban ICE
By
Arya Sundaram
NYC ambulance response times have grown 41% as life-threatening calls rise
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .