Minneapolis man sentenced to 30 years in murder of trans woman
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A man who shot and killed a trans woman in south Minneapolis last November has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison.
Damarean Bible, 25, was sentenced Wednesday after a jury found him guilty of second-degree murder in August. Bible admitted to fatally shooting Savannah Ryan Williams, 38, early in the morning on Nov. 29.
Several members of Williams’ family spoke at the hearing. Through tears, her mother Kim Stillday told the court her family is still grieving.
“She was my best friend and meant everything to me,” Stillday said. “As a person, Savannah was funny. She would light up any room she walked into.”
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Members of the family and prosecutors for the state asked the judge for the 367-month sentence — the highest possible for Bible’s crime, according to Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty.
“There is no explanation other than this was a cold-blooded, brazen killing,” Prosecutor James Hannemon said in the sentencing hearing. “Ms. Williams did nothing to provoke this crime. She just had the great misfortune of coming across a person who valued her life so little.”
Bible told investigators that he shot Williams after a sex act. During the trial, he claimed that he acted in self-defense and said Williams made him feel suspicious. His attorney asked the judge for leniency in his sentence, pointing to his age, the lack of other violent crimes in his record and health conditions that require frequent doctor visits.
Bible spoke briefly during Wednesday’s hearing, addressing Williams’ family.
“I completely apologize,” Bible said. “I feel like I do need to sit down and do some time.”
The case drew attention from advocates for queer and transgender rights, who said it’s an example of the disproportionate violence trans women — particularly trans women of color — face. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has reported increased bias crimes against transgender people since 2018; the Human Rights Campaign has also reported a nationwide increase of violence based on gender identity over the last year.
Representatives from Minnesota’s Queer Legislative Caucus said at a press conference following the sentencing that they’re committed to stepping up safety for trans and queer people in Minnesota.
“Our trans people of color in the state of Minnesota, in the city of Minneapolis, around the country, are pushed to the edges of our society, and when we do not take care of the people who are under our care, tragic outcomes occur,” Rep. Leigh Finke said.
Bible did not face a charge for a bias crime. Moriarty said there wasn’t enough evidence to prove Bible’s motive. But she said it shook the trans community nonetheless.
“We must work to combat this repulsive behavior,” Moriarty said. “While nothing can change the fact that Savannah's family will have to live with the pain of her loss for the rest of their lives, we asked for an extensive sentence to ensure that Mr. Bible will not be able to harm anyone else.”
Bible will serve about 20 years in prison and the following time on supervised release.