Chicago Jury Acquits Suspect in Stanton Murder Case
A jury found Tremon Hill not guilty in the 2018 killing of Dejanay Stanton.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in LGBTQ+
A Chicago jury acquitted 25-year-old Tremon Hill of murder charges related to the 2018 death of Dejanay Stanton. The verdict, reached after a three-day trial, follows an eight-year wait for resolution in the case of the 24-year-old victim.
Why it matters
The acquittal has sparked calls from family members and advocates for a formal examination of the legal proceedings. The case has intensified demands for greater accountability and protections for the Black transgender community in Chicago.
Dejanay Stanton was 24 years old at the time of her death in the Bronzeville neighborhood. The trial of Tremon Hill concluded after three days of proceedings.
The players
Dejanay Stanton
She was a 24-year-old transgender woman who was killed in Chicago in 2018.
Tremon Hill
He is a 25-year-old individual who stood trial and was acquitted of the murder of Dejanay Stanton.
Valerie Griffin
She is the mother of the late Dejanay Stanton.
Transfemicide Working Group
This body released recommendations in June 2026 aimed at addressing violence against transgender women.
The details
Following the acquittal, advocates and family members held a press conference to challenge the outcome and demand transparency in the legal process. The city is currently developing a broader LGBTQ+ policy plan intended to address systemic violence.
Timeline
Dejanay Stanton was killed in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago in October 2018.
The Transfemicide Working Group released recommendations to address violence in June 2026.
A jury acquitted Tremon Hill on October 23, 2026.
A press conference was held to address the acquittal on October 30, 2026.
City departments face a November 9, 2026, deadline for feedback on a new LGBTQ+ policy plan.
Culture Shift
The acquittal complicates the integration of community feedback into the city's five-year LGBTQ+ policy plan. This outcome highlights the ongoing tension between grassroots advocacy for safety and the limitations of current legal outcomes for transgender women.
Residents in Chicago may see continued public demonstrations as advocates push for changes in how such cases are handled. The outcome serves as a benchmark for community members monitoring the city's progress on its pending LGBTQ+ safety policies.
The takeaway
This case underscores the persistent gap between policy recommendations aimed at protecting marginalized groups and legal outcomes in the courtroom. Families and advocates continue to press for systemic reforms to ensure accountability.
What happens next
City officials expect to deliver the five-year LGBTQ+ policy plan to the mayor before Thanksgiving 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local advocacy and legislative developments in the Chicago LGBTQ+ section.
