Trial ordered for man in slaying of transgender woman

A man has been ordered to stand trial in the stabbing death of a transgender woman in north Philadelphia earlier this year.

Thirty-one-year-old Raheam Felton is charged with homicide and possession of an instrument of a crime in the May 18 death of 21-year-old London Chanel, also known as London Banks.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Felton was held on a general charge of murder after a hearing Tuesday.

A witness testified that Chanel accused Felton of “sexually touching” her, and he then attacked her, screaming “This is what we do to a snitch.”

Defense attorney Charles Mirarchi III argued that no evidence had been presented of any “specific intent” to kill.

But Assistant District Attorney Guy D’Andrea said the severity of the victim’s wounds demonstrated that intent.