Prosecutors say Nikki Kuhnhausen, 17, vanished from Vancouver, Washington, in June 2019, simply hours after assembly David Bogdanov, then 25, and exchanging messages on Snapchat. 4 months later in a gathering with police, Bogdanov informed them the final time he had seen Kuhnhausen was when he requested her to get out of his automobile, after she informed him she was transgender. He informed police he was "shocked to search out that out. And simply uncomfortable and actually, actually disturbed." Bogdanov informed police he had no thought the place Kuhnhausen went after she left him. "This can be a narrative and a narrative that performs out … on a regular basis," says Devon Davis Williamson, a transgender activist and co-founder of the Justice for Nikki Process Power. "When trans folks go lacking, they're normally discovered deceased." Six months after she disappeared, Kuhnhausen's physique was found by a hiker on Larch Mountain. Bogdanov was arrested after cell tower knowledge positioned his telephone the place Kuhnhausen's physique was discovered. "More often than not in our tradition and our nation, if a trans individual is killed, there may be not an arrest made," Williamson says. "We expect it is proper round 30% of trans people who find themselves murdered … have somebody arrested and absolutely prosecuted." At his trial, Bogdanov mentioned he killed Kuhnhausen in self-defense when, he says, she reached for his gun. He testified that he panicked after realizing she was lifeless and dumped her physique at Larch Mountain. He was discovered responsible of her homicide and malicious harassment, a hate crime. He was sentenced to the utmost, 19-and-a-half years in jail. Kuhnhausen's mom and supporters from the Justice for Nikki Process Power labored with legislators in Washington to cross Nikki's Regulation. It is designed to forestall defendants charged with violent crimes from utilizing sexual orientation or gender id as an excuse for violence, the so-called "homosexual" or "trans panic protection." "I would like her loss of life to imply one thing to somebody who might ponder hurting one other transgender individual," says Woods. Lisa Woods will always remember the day her life modified eternally. It was June 6, 2019. That is when her daughter Nikki Kuhnhausen seemingly vanished. Woods says they talked each day earlier than work. Lisa Woods: I might name her every single day and speak to her earlier than my shift. … She stopped answering. Instantly, her mom's instinct kicked in. Woods had a badfeeling. Lisa Woods: That first day I took her sweatshirt and I made it right into a pillowcase. And I slept together with her image and my Bible. Jamie Yuccas: Did you concern that one thing had occurred? Lisa Woods: I knew one thing had occurred. Woods filed a lacking individual's report. At first, buddy Arielle Fox wasn't too involved. Arielle Fox: Misplaced her telephone or one thing. Traditional Nikki transfer. Arielle knew all about Nikki's strikes, in spite of everything they'd been finest pals since childhood. Arielle Fox: She's like … the energetic buddy that is simply … all the time excessive power. Arielle Fox: After I first met Nikki, she was nonetheless going by Nick. … However she was undoubtedly nonetheless Nikki at coronary heart. Taylor Watts was a childhood buddy as properly. Taylor Watts: We lived throughout the road from one another — I need to say third and fourth grade. … She stood out, . She was, like, cheerful. Was caring. She was simply Nikki. Changing into Nikki could be one thing of an evolution, however Woods says she and her massive household all the time knew. Lisa Woods: Very hardly ever did anyone name her Nikolas. Nikki started life as Nikolas. However from a younger age, Woods says Nikki had a robust sense of self. Lisa Woods: There's this one image with a blonde wig on as a result of the babysitter was a hairdresser and he or she snuck into her wigs. Jamie Yuccas: So, she all the time knew who she was. Lisa Woods: Uh-huh. Yeah. She broke her arm, and he or she had a pink solid. Her brothers have been so mad that I let her decide a pink solid … I am like, "she picked the colour! It is her damaged arm." It was round sixth grade that Nikki made her gender id public. Lisa Woods: She determined that she was going to be Nikki on a regular basis, not simply at house … so she began dressing as herself. Jamie Yuccas: As a girl, younger girl? Lisa Woods: As a younger girl. Woods says Nikki was extensively accepted for who she was, particularly amongst a sure "in" crowd. Lisa Woods: The cheerleaders liked the way in which that she did her make-up they usually needed her to do their make-up, as properly. And she or he hoped that zeal would at some point flip into her dream job. Lisa Woods: She needed to be Nicki Minaj's hair and make-up artist. Jamie Yuccas: That was her objective. Lisa Woods: Mm-hmm. Like most teenagers, Nikki liked to submit on-line … Lisa Woods: Someday she got here house and informed me "Mother, I am Fb well-known." … particularly TikTok tributes to her idol, that different Nikki – Nicki Minaj. Jamie Yuccas: How necessary do you assume social media was to Nikki? Lisa Woods: It was fairly necessary. … She liked taking selfies. She liked what number of likes she obtained. Woods says Nikki additionally preferred combating for the underdog. Lisa Woods: I used to be referred to as to the varsity … on many events as a result of she had been suspended for hitting somebody, however it was all the time a state of affairs the place she was defending another person. Nikki's dad and mom had divorced when she was younger. Mom and daughter remained shut as Nikki turned a teen. Lisa Woods: We'd go get our nails accomplished. … We'd simply drive round and go by the water and stroll by the water. However in highschool, issues would start to vary. Arielle Fox: Nikki was going to high school, however she would not make it on a regular basis. And she or he'd be onerous to get ahold of typically. She simply would not get up. She'd miss the bus. Woods says she knew what was unsuitable. Nikki had began abusing medication. Lisa Woods: She mentioned to me, "Mommy, I do not assume I can do my homework with out being excessive." And she or he was 16. Buddies say Nikki had began utilizing methamphetamine. Lisa Woods: That is once I realized I used to be speaking to an addict as a substitute of my daughter. Woods says there have been many makes an attempt to get Nikki into rehab to assist her kick medication for good, however nothing appeared to stay. For months, Nikki continued to wrestle. Simply how harmful Nikki's habit was turned obvious to Woods in 2018. Lisa Woods: I obtained a name at work … from a detective. Woods was informed Nikki had been shot six occasions. Lisa raced to the hospital anticipating the worst, however when she arrived … Lisa Woods: Two of her girlfriends have been there and he or she had her make-up all accomplished. And she or he was sitting up laughing they usually have been doing selfies. And I regarded on the detective, and I am like, "I believed you mentioned she was shot six occasions?" It was a miracle says Woods. None of Nikki's accidents have been life-threatening. Lisa Woods: It missed each main artery — in her neck, inside thigh, twice within the abdomen, in her leg and the again of her calf. Woods says Nikki informed her she was shot throughout a dispute over medication. Jamie Yuccas: What do you assume it says about Nikki, she was in a position to survive being shot six occasions? Arielle Fox: She was a — Taylor Watts: Champ. Arielle Fox: — robust cookie. Taylor Watts: Yeah. Very robust. The person answerable for Nikki's capturing was by no means apprehended. Woods hoped Nikki's brush with loss of life would function the inspiration for Nikki to show her life round. Jamie Yuccas: Did you assume, "OK, , we're on a special path now?" Lisa Woods: I did. I imply, she knew it was a miracle. She knew. Now, a yr later, Nikki was lacking. And Woods hoped for one more miracle. In June 2019, Lisa Woods had only one objective: discovering her daughter Nikki Kuhnhausen. All of Nikki's social media accounts had gone silent. Lisa Woods: We begin making flyers. Clark County prosecutor Kristen Arnaud. Kristen Arnaud: I keep in mind there have been flyers all over the place. You could not go to the grocery retailer with out seeing that flyer. Information of Nikki's disappearance in Vancouver, Washington, began to get extra consideration. KOIN NEWS REPORT: She vanished greater than two weeks in the past and at this time was listed on the Nationwide Heart for Lacking & Exploited Kids web site. Police talked to Nikki's roommates and discovered the final time they'd seen her was the day she vanished. Nikki was heading out the door to fulfill a person she'd met simply hours earlier than. However who was he? Clark County prosecutor Colin Hayes says her social media messages supplied investigators with their first clue about who Nikki was seeing that night time. Colin Hayes: We've their Snapchat messages, so we all know that he picked her up. It will have been someplace 5 a.m.-ish or so. "He" was 25-year-old David Bogdanov, who labored at his family-owned building enterprise. Their exchanges gave police their first glimpse of a timeline when he and Nikki met. Kristen Arnaud: That was the final time she was seen alive by anybody else. Kristen Arnaud: So, detectives need to speak to him inside a few weeks of Nikki going lacking. The investigators tried his house. Kristen Arnaud: They left, , playing cards. I feel in addition they tried calling him, weren't in a position to come up with him. In addition they despatched Snapchat messages. However Bogdanov didn't reply. It appeared he had vanished — similar to Nikki. Weeks grew into months with none leads. Lisa Woods: I simply knew that she was being held towards her will or worse. In late September, practically 4 months after Nikki went lacking, investigators lastly heard from David Bogdanov. He mentioned he'd had telephone issues and had simply gotten their messages. Detectives requested him to return in for questioning, hoping he might assist the investigation. Colin Hayes: Till you speak to him and get the story, you do not essentially know if there is perhaps — possibly there was another person after that will have seen her. So, on October 2, Bogdanov voluntarily met with Detective David Jensen of the Vancouver Police Division. DET. DAVID JENSEN: David, are you conscious that that is recording? DAVID BOGDANOV: Yep. Of their recorded interview, Bogdanov informed Jensen he was out ingesting together with his brothers on June 6, when he observed a younger girl. It was on a block in Vancouver round 3 a.m. that David Bogdanov claims he first noticed Nikki alone. He says he walked over to her to examine to see if she was OK. They began speaking. DAVID BOGDANOV: I provided her my jacket 'trigger it was actually chilly outdoors. Bogdanov additionally provided Nikki a drink. DAVID BOGDANOV: I mentioned would you like some vodka trigger I obtained some if you wish to have a drink, simply to chill out a bit of bit. And she or he mentioned certain. Um, so. I simply gave her the bottle. DET. DAVID JENSEN: OK. DAVID BOGDANOV: To take together with her. He additionally gave Nikki his contact data. DAVID BOGDANOV: I did give her my Snapchat identify, um, needed to only trade Snapchats, and he or she did not have a telephone together with her. Bogdanov says he and Nikki then parted methods. Just a few hours later, Nikki despatched him the deal with the place she was staying with pals. Bogdanov drove over and picked her up. Kristen Arnaud: He mentioned he was going to assist her discover her telephone as a result of her telephone was lacking. Later that morning, Bogdanov says he and Nikki discovered themselves alone in his automobile. DAVID BOGDANOV: We have been kinda simply parked there within the driveway chit-chatting a bit of bit and — after which she informed me that she's not a she. Bogdanov says that is when Nikki informed him she was transgender. DAVID BOGDANOV: I used to be shocked to search out that out. And simply uncomfortable and actually, actually disturbed. And I requested her to please get out of the automobile, 'trigger that is simply actually bizarre for me. … She simply obtained out of the automobile and I took off. Colin Hayes: He is fairly obscure concerning the particulars at that time and simply says that was the final I noticed of her. Whereas he was unsure about some particulars of that night time, Arnaud says Bogdanov was clear on one subject. Kristen Arnaud: He went out of his option to guarantee that they knew that he discovered that anybody who was a part of the LGBTQI group, that he discovered them disgusting. LGBTQI is an abbreviation to check with lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex folks and communities. DAVID BOGDANOV: For me it is even disturbing once I'm round like a homosexual individual or anyone bi or transsexual or one thing else. … I simply obtained disgusted and I requested her to only get out. Bogdanov provided up one other piece of knowledge, although he was by no means requested. DAVID BOGDANOV: I want I might allow you to extra however I — I — I do not know. I am not the form of individual to — I am not even a violent individual in any respect, , nothing. Bogdanov's interview ended, and he left the police station. Then, on December 7, 2019, six months after Nikki vanished, a person strolling on close by Larch Mountain discovered one thing that may change this case eternally. Det. Joe Swenson: No person goes about their day anticipating that they will discover a physique. It was practically Christmas 2019 and Lisa Woods was aching for one miraculous reward – the secure return of her 17-year-old daughter, Nikki Kuhnhausen. She'd been lacking for six insufferable months. Lisa Woods: I prayed and prayed to carry my child house, simply carry my child house to me. However the unsettling discovery of a human cranium on December 7, 2019 introduced a swarm of native authorities to thickly wooded Larch Mountain, together with Detective Joe Swenson from the Clark County Sheriff's Workplace. Det. Joe Swenson: This was the path that we really entered into the realm, and there have been gadgets discovered instantly contained in the tree line. Beneath the dense cover of timber, the remnants of a human life had been scattered by animals down a steep ravine. Det. Joe Swenson: There have been a bunch of clothes gadgets discovered down there … particularly, a inexperienced jacket, some underwear… Det. Joe Swenson: There was a bandana. Det. Joe Swenson: There have been extra bone … jewellery. Jamie Yuccas: You additionally discovered a telephone wire. Det. Joe Swenson: Appropriate. Jamie Yuccas: What is the significance of that? Det. Joe Swenson: Once we discovered the telephone charging wire, it … was tied in a knot, however it was in a circle, about 4 inches in diameter … Tangled contained in the knotted wire have been synthetic, multi-colored hair extensions. After combing the rugged terrain for 2 days, detectives suspected somebody had been murdered. Det. Joe Swenson: We had a few lacking individuals' circumstances that have been form of on our thoughts. … We began speaking with extra detectives in different companies and studying, hey, this may very well be Nikki Kuhnhausen. And oh, come to search out out she's been lacking for six months. That is when the Vancouver Police started one other exhaustive search, says Swenson, evaluating proof pictures taken on the mountain to Nikki's private pictures discovered on-line in search of matches. Det. Joe Swenson: And truly discovered lots of photos of her carrying the precise gadgets that we had discovered up right here. And so, it was a very good affirmation initially to have the ability to say, yeah, we're fairly certain that is Nikki. A couple of week later, dental data verified the sufferer's id. It was Nikki Kuhnhausen, and it was homicide. The medical expert decided that Nikki had been strangled to loss of life with that cellphone charger wire. DET. DAVID JENSEN [to David Bogdanov]: Sorry for interruptin' your commute this morning… On December 17, 2019, Vancouver Police Detective David Jensen as soon as once more questioned the final recognized individual to see Nikki alive: David Bogdanov. DET. DAVID JENSEN: Sounded such as you mentioned, you have been going to go to your job web site. DAVID BOGDANOV: I went to work. DET. DAVID JENSEN: Yeah, you went to work. Bogdanov caught to his story: on the morning of June 6, after Nikki divulged she was transgender, he mentioned he was shocked and disturbed: DET. DAVID JENSEN: And that is while you have been like – DAVID BOGDANOV: Mainly kicked her out of the van… DET. DAVID JENSEN: — I am not into this…and kicked her out of the van, despatched her on her means. Bogdanov mentioned he then drove straight to work in close by Portland, Oregon. DET. DAVID JENSEN: So, on the time that we talked, I did not benefit from your whole telephone data, OK. However now there's been some preliminary evaluation accomplished. So that you left – your telephone left ... after which went east — out previous Larch Mountain. DAVID BOGDANOV: [Sits in stunned silence.] DET. DAVID JENSEN:What occurred on that journey? His cellphone data advised he had by no means pushed to work that morning – however really traveled in the wrong way to Larch Mountain. Det. David Jensen: That journey took about an hour spherical journey. … Up some logging roads. After which again once more. DAVID BOGDANOV: Suppose I wanna speak with a lawyer. DET. DAVID JENSEN: OK, all proper. So, you are being arrested at this time for the homicide of Nikki Kuhnhausen, whose stays have been found, who was strangled to loss of life, OK. … Arise for me please. Just a few hours later, Detective David Jensen informed Woods that they had discovered Nikki. Lisa Woods: And I fell to my knees and began screaming. And he got here in and held me till I might achieve my composure. Lisa Woods: After I calmed down, Dave informed me … " I need to ensure he was charged and behind bars earlier than I got here and informed you." Colin Hayes: Costs have been homicide within the second diploma and malicious harassment, which is now referred to as a hate crime in Washington. Jamie Yuccas: What have been your first reactions while you heard he had been arrested? Devon Davis Williamson: I imply, honestly, I used to be fairly shocked. Medical social employee Devon Davis Williamson and Linden Partitions are transgender activists. They launched the "Justice for Nikki Process Power." Devon Davis Williamson: More often than not in our tradition and our nation, if a trans individual is killed, there may be not an arrest made. We expect it is proper round 30% of trans people who find themselves murdered … have somebody arrested and absolutely prosecuted. Linden Partitions: Having somebody held accountable – I feel solely that may begin the therapeutic. Linden Partitions: And likewise carry consideration to a number of the issues that the trans group is burdened with... A part of their burden, says Partitions, resides with concern – concern of being misunderstood, concern of being attacked. A latest UCLA Regulation Faculty examine concluded that transgender persons are 4 occasions extra doubtless than non-transgender folks to turn into victims of violent crime – an explosion of hate the American Medical Affiliation has referred to as "an epidemic of violence." Lisa Woods: There was a vigil for her. … It was actually overwhelming to see how a lot love that the trans group had coming collectively for my daughter. Lisa Woods: And that is the place I met Devon. … She helped me discover focus and goal. She informed me that she was going to guarantee that no one forgot Nikki's identify. And that it was going to make a distinction. With assist from her new pals, Wooden's focus slowly shifted – from the horror of dealing with her daughter's violent loss of life to the hope of discovering justice for her homicide. Linden Partitions: Lisa was so pushed to see justice and to do proper for her little one. Devon Davis Williamson: And I feel that is given Lisa goal and drive to remain alive. LISA WOODS [at press conference]: She was a rainbow of sunshine. She was so assured in who she was. At a press convention simply days after Bogdanov's arrest, Lisa Woods turned an activist. LISA WOODS | KOIN NEWS REPORT 12/20/19 at vigil: I consider this man … I consider he killed her as a result of she was a transgender (sic). I consider that with all my coronary heart. By August 2021, David Bogdanov's day of reckoning was quick approaching. His homicide trial was simply two weeks away when prosecutors discovered he had modified his story dramatically. And he would take the stand to inform it himself. DAVID BOGDANOV [on witness stand]: She's leaping for my gun … and all I can assume is…"Oh my God, I am gonna get shot proper now." Vicki Matsuk, David Bogdanov's niece, doesn't consider her uncle is able to the homicide he's accused of committing. Vicki Matsuk: He would all the time get together with everybody. … At all times there for everybody, it doesn't matter what. Simply days earlier than the trial he reassured his sister, Lily. Lily Bogdanov: I simply keep in mind him … telling us to not fear. … He was prepared to only face no matter is coming. And Woods was additionally prepared. Lisa Woods: I simply prayed. I prayed for God to have his palms in it. The courtroom provided a zoom feed because the trial obtained underway in August 2021. Every day, household and pals rallied round Lisa Woods carrying pink masks to courtroom. Devon Davis Williamson: I feel sitting in a room with the person that murdered your child is tough, impossibly onerous. Opening statements started with a daring declare from the protection. ERIN MCALEER: Our consumer didn't strangle Nikki Kuhnhausen, inflicting her loss of life, as a result of she's transgendered (sic). Nikki Kuhnhausen is now deceased as a result of Mr. Bogdanov needed to defend himself towards her attacking him and presumably killing him. However the prosecution argued that was not the case. They insisted Nikki was the sufferer of a hate crime. COLIN HAYES: The defendant murdered Nikki after discovering out she was transgender. The defendant murdered Nikki as a result of his respect for human life was outweighed by his hatred for many who are homosexual and those that are transgender. The prosecution laid out its case with consultants testifying about these snapchat exchanges main as much as the homicide and cellphone data putting Bogdanov's telephone at Larch Mountain simply hours later. Jurors have been proven proof discovered on the scene: together with that telephone charging wire. The protection referred to as only one witness: Bogdanov himself. Legal professional Erin McAleer questioned Bogdanov about his non secular upbringing and his views about LGBTQI folks. DAVID BOGDANOV: I used to be taught that it's a sin. And it isn't OK. Lily Bogdanov: It is not David's life-style. … But when David comes throughout anyone, whoever it's, there isn't a hate. Bogdanov informed the jury what occurred when he and Nikki have been alone in his automobile. ERIN MCALEER: And what was Nikki doing at that time? DAVID BOGDANOV: She was smoking one thing out of a pipe. Bogdanov mentioned Nikki requested him to hitch her within the again seat. Earlier than he did, he wedged the gun he carried between the motive force's seat and middle console. DAVID BOGDANOV: That transitioned to us making out. ERIN MCALEER: Was there touching or anything? DAVID BOGDANOV: Sure. ERIN MCALEER: OK. Who was touching who? DAVID BOGDANOV: There was a bit of little bit of each. At first um – ERIN MCALEER: The place was she touching you? DAVID BOGDANOV: [Crying] She began touching me, my non-public space. Bogdanov mentioned the sexual encounter escalated rapidly, and that is when he realized Nikki was transgender. Bogdanov's testimony could also be disturbing to some. DAVID BOGDANOV: I used to be in shock. I simply felt deceived. … I freak out and I push her again. … And I begin freaking out saying, "you did not inform me, you are a dude." … And began yelling at her that she's a disgusting piece of crap. He mentioned he informed Nikki to get out of his automobile and he mentioned she reacted with violence. DAVID BOGDANOV: She kinda picked up her foot to attempt to simply kick me together with her foot from the passenger aspect. And … she simply jumps up and goes in direction of the middle console in direction of my gun. DAVID BOGDANOV: I am pondering, , I simply was deceived by this individual … and this individual's excessive on meth … and all I can assume is, "oh my God, I will get shot proper now." Devon Davis Williamson: The suggestion that Nikki might need gone for the gun form of defies logic. Bogdanov mentioned he tried to restrain Nikki by grabbing her jacket, however the materials was too slippery to get a very good grip. He claims in a determined try to save lots of himself, he reached for a cellphone charging wire. DAVID BOGDANOV: I seize that cable and put it round her … and pull her again like that and maintain her maintain her from going ahead, to the gun. Bogdanov mentioned he positioned the telephone wire round Nikki's arms and chest throughout their wrestle, however as he pulled, the wire slipped as much as her neck. DAVID BOGDANOV: The entire time she's attempting to combat me and simply reaching again and scratching at my face, attempting to gouge my eyes. ERIN MCALEER: So, in some unspecified time in the future does she cease struggling? DAVID BOGDANOV: Sure. Devon Williamson: The ligature used to kill Nikki was a telephone wire that was tied to an area of three.97 inches which finally ends up being about like this (demonstrates making a small circle with each palms). And in the event you can picture the bodily sensation of getting your throat constricted to an area this measurement, after which have it triple-knotted. After realizing Nikki was lifeless, Bogdanov mentioned he panicked. DAVID BOGDANOV: Very first thing I feel is I have to name the police. After which I feel that they are not going to consider me. You understand, I have been up all night time, not sober. There's medication within the automobile. There is a lifeless individual within the backseat. … At that time, I believed I have to do away with the physique. DAVID BOGDANOV: This was a really humiliating factor that occurred to me … I simply needed to place this behind me, like wishing it by no means occurred. Bogdanov mentioned that is when he drove Nikki's physique to Larch Mountain. DAVID BOGDANOV: I pulled her out of the automobile and there may be that spot by the highway, the place the hill simply went down actually steep, I simply form of pushed her down that. Then Bogdanov informed the courtroom he left the nation simply hours after killing Nikki, shopping for a last-minute ticket to Ukraine. ERIN MCALEER: Are you able to inform the jury why, why you left the nation? DAVID BOGDANOV: I used to be scared. An emotional wreck. And I used to be pondering I knew I wanted to give up my ingesting. And that I doubtless wouldn't have been on this state of affairs if I hadn't been ingesting … And I simply needed to get away. Kristen Arnaud: The truth that he had a number of totally different tales that he had had at the least two alternatives to offer this clarification to detectives and hadn't, the truth that he dumped the physique, the truth that he ran from the nation, all issues form of level to a responsible conscience and never somebody who thinks that their actions are justified. Either side made their case one final time throughout closing arguments. KRISTEN ARNAUD: His motivation your entire time has been … his hate, his rage, his disgrace for locating out that Nikki was transgender. It is not about concern. This case is NOT about self-defense. Protection lawyer Matthew Hoff strongly disagreed. MATTHEW HOFF: Nikki Kuhnhausen will not be right here at this time, not as a result of she was transgender, however as a result of Mr. Bogdanov was put in a life and loss of life state of affairs. Lisa Woods: She simply liked the digicam, ? Jamie Yuccas: It appeared just like the digicam preferred her again. Lisa Woods: Mm-hmm. Lisa Woods: Nikki was simply Nikki. She form of led the way in which. I simply adopted. Devon Williamson: She was very empowered and really steadfast in her id and I feel very sturdy, in all probability in a means that society struggles to deal with. After two weeks of an emotional trial – and greater than two years after Nikki Kuhnhausen's loss of life – would jurors consider David Bogdanov's declare of self-defense? Lily Bogdanov: David will not be the individual that they made him out to be. … David is type, David is caring. Or the prosecution's case, that he murdered Nikki after he discovered she was transgender. Kristen Arnaud: She was so sturdy in her id and that is in the end why she was killed. The jury deliberated for greater than two days. Linden Partitions: We weren't certain the way it was going to go, there was a risk of a hung jury. Lastly, on day three, they knowledgeable the choose that they had reached a unanimous resolution. JUDGE DAVID GREGERSON: We the jury discover the above-named defendant responsible of the crime of homicide within the second diploma, as charged in rely one. Verdict kind rely two: we the jury discover the above-named defendant responsible of the crime of malicious harassment. A hate crime in Washington. Devon Williamson: It is a win, it is a actually massive win. Colin Hayes: I am simply glad to get justice for Nikki's household. Two weeks later, Lisa Woods would ask the choose to impose the utmost sentence. LISA WOODS | VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT: [Crying] I will not see her smile, watch her graduate, see her married or watch her develop. Lisa Woods: I needed to point out how Nikki might have been … And so many issues that have been stolen from us. So many milestones that she'll by no means get to do. And I miss her every single day. Earlier than handing down the sentence, Choose David Gregerson addressed the courtroom saying he was "struck by the darker nature of this crime." JUDGE DAVID GREGERSON: It conjures up previous childhood legends of the boogeyman, of belief gone terribly unsuitable. Preventing again tears, the choose continued for nearly quarter-hour. JUDGE DAVID GREGERSON: The motion in direction of one thing resembling justice could also be seen as a step within the better total motion from darkness towards gentle. On this courtroom's view, that may and must be Nikki Kuhnhausen's legacy. Bogdanov was sentenced to the utmost — 19-and-a-half years for Nikki's homicide with 12 concurrent months for the malicious harassment cost. Kristen Arnaud: I feel it was applicable on this case. Colin Hayes: It does not essentially seem to be … an extended period of time when you concentrate on what he took from Nikki and Nikki's household. After sentencing, household, pals and supporters gathered outdoors the courtroom. Lisa Woods: She was only a child. She was simply an adolescent. He took her life, and he obtained the utmost. And that is what he deserves. DEVON DAVIS WILLIAMSON [addressing at a vigil held after sentencing]: Nikki's story has allowed us to take a large leap ahead. Woods' and Nikki's supporters have tried to discover a means for her legacy to assist and shield others. Linden Partitions: Discovering a option to memorialize Nikki and empower different trans youngsters to pursue their desires I feel is the subsequent step. And that occurred with the passing of laws in Washington State referred to as Nikki's Regulation. It is designed to forestall defendants charged with violent crimes from counting on a sufferer's gender id or sexual orientation – the so-called homosexual or trans panic protection. Kristen Arnaud: Nikki's legislation … makes it not possible to make use of what's referred to as the trans panic protection in courtroom … the place somebody says that they have been so uncontrolled once they came upon that somebody was trans … that you just basically aren't culpable on your actions. Washington is one in every of 16 states to cross comparable laws. Nikki's supporters hope her legislation will encourage much more states to comply with go well with. Jamie Yuccas: What's it prefer to know that your daughter's legacy — there is a legislation named after her? Lisa Woods: I am glad it is going to assist different folks. … I would like her loss of life to imply one thing to somebody who might ponder hurting one other transgender individual. Williamson and Partitions are pleased with what they achieved with the Justice for Nikki Process Power, and hope Nikki's story will assist the transgender group. Devon Davis Williamson: My hope … is that this work has created a domino impact and it will hopefully result in different trans youngsters and youths in comparable life conditions having a special life end result. As Lisa Woods strikes ahead with out Nikki, she carries a particular reminder of her daughter – a necklace she wears every single day. Lisa Woods: I simply obtained this for my birthday from my son, Alex … And he made it to place Nikki's ashes in … Jamie Yuccas: You all the time have Nikki near your coronary heart. Lisa Woods: Sure. Jamie Yuccas: How would you like Nikki remembered? Lisa Woods: For her loyalty to what she believed in, staying true to who she was, simply staying true to her household and pals it doesn't matter what. … Unconditional love for everybody. In keeping with the Human Rights Marketing campaign, there have been extra violent deaths of transgender and non-binary folks within the U.S. in 2021 than every other yr on file. Produced by Susan Mallie. Mead Stone is the producer-editor. Jennifer Terker is a producer. Gayane Keshishyan Mendez is the event producer. Emma Steele is the sphere producer. Greg Kaplan, Marcus Balsam and Phil Tangel are the editors. Lauren Turner Dunn is the affiliate producer. Anthony Batson is the senior broadcast producer. Nancy Kramer is the manager story editor. Judy Tygard is the manager producer.
"SHE WAS ALWAYS NIKKI"
THE SEARCH FOR NIKKI
AN UNSETTLING DISCOVERY
BOGDANOV TAKES THE STAND
JUSTICE FOR NIKKI
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