Street gang member indicted in Alabama transgender teen's death

LUCEDALE, Miss. (AP)

A documented member of the Latin Kings street gang used a hammer to beat to death a transgender teen who once considered him a boyfriend. A George County grand jury indicted 28-year-old Joshua Vallum in the killing of 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson, of Theodore, Alabama. Williamson's death made national news last year when Caitlyn Jenner remembered her during an acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe award at the ESPY awards. The Sun Herald reports (http://bit.ly/1UVYae1) Vallum was transferred Friday from the East Central Mississippi Correctional Facility to the Jackson County jail to undergo a mental evaluation. He was to return to the prison in Meridian once the examination was completed. Vallum has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the case. His trial is set for Feb. 1. Read more: http://www.fox10tv.com/story/30982113/street-gang-member-indicted-in-transgender-teens-death#ixzz3xZ9FeQvw