Trial Begins for 2018 Murder of Dejanay Stanton
The legal proceedings are underway at the Leighton Criminal Court Building regarding the death of Dejanay Stanton.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Tremon Hill is standing trial for the 2018 murder of Dejanay Stanton in a Chicago alley. Prosecutors allege that the then-17-year-old defendant lured the 24-year-old victim to the 4000 block of South King Drive to hide their relationship.
Why it matters
The case highlights concerns regarding violence against transgender individuals in Chicago. Prosecutors claim that Hill tracked Stanton using cellphone texts and location pings before the fatal shooting.
The trial is currently active at the Leighton Criminal Court Building before Judge Pamela Stratigakis. Detectives used recovered deleted phone conversations to help reconstruct the events of August 30, 2018.
The players
Tremon Hill
He is a 25-year-old man currently on trial for a murder that occurred when he was 17 years old.
Dejanay Stanton
She was a 24-year-old victim who was found deceased in a Chicago alley in 2018.
Pamela Stratigakis
She is the judge presiding over the murder trial at the Leighton Criminal Court Building.
The details
Prosecutors contend that Hill, who was 17 at the time, arranged a meeting with Stanton in July 2018 before the incident in the Bronzeville neighborhood. Stanton's phone was discovered on the driver seat of a sedan parked in the alley where she was found at 11 a.m. on August 30, 2018.
Timeline
July 2018: Tremon Hill arranged a meeting with Dejanay Stanton.
August 30, 2018: Dejanay Stanton was killed.
October 21, 2026: Trial proceedings began.
Legal Context
This trial exists within the broader context of the 400 fatal attacks on transgender people since 2013, 60% of whom were Black trans women. The proceedings reflect ongoing efforts in the justice system to address and prosecute violence against this demographic.
The ongoing trial at the Leighton Criminal Court Building marks a significant step in the judicial process for the local Bronzeville community. Residents and stakeholders may follow the proceedings for updates on the legal resolution of this 2018 homicide.
The takeaway
The case underscores the importance of digital forensic evidence in modern criminal investigations. Authorities rely on recovered communication logs and location data to establish timelines in cases involving historical incidents.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Sex Crimes section.
