Trial underway for man accused in slaying of transgender rapper

A Milwaukee man went on trial June 10 for killing Evon Young, a 22-year-old transgender man known in the city as rapper Yung LT.

Billy Griffin is one of five men arrested in connection with Young’s death. He is charged with first-degree intentional homicide.

On the first day of Griffin’s trial in Milwaukee, Annette Cross-Perry, Young’s mother, testified. She had notified authorities that her son, who called her every morning, was missing on Jan. 2.

Griffin was Young’s roommate, and he initially told authorities that Young arrived home on Jan. 1 but soon after left to meet with someone.

Weeks later, after attending vigils and helping Cross-Perry search for Young, Griffin allegedly confessed that he and four others – said to be members of a gang – had a role in killing Young and disposing of the body. The men, allegedly because they suspected Young of a stealing from them, bound the young man, beat him, placed a bag over his head and strangled him with chains. They then shot him several times.

Three others face trial this summer – 37-year-old Ron Allen, 23-year-old Devin Seaberry and 18-year-old Ashanti Mcalister.

Earlier this month, 27-year-old Victor Stewart pleaded guilty to second-degree reckless homicide and is scheduled to be sentenced in July. Stewart is expected to testify at Griffin’s trial this week.