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Alleged Killer Of Local Transgender Woman Ruled Incompetent For Trial

Franklin County Sheriff's Office

A Franklin County judge has ruled the Columbus man accused of killing a transgender woman is not competent to stand trial. The judge says James Byrd has a mental illness. Byrd will undergo treatment over the next year before a new trial date is set. Byrd is accused of beating and fatally shooting 28-year-old Rae'Lynn Thomas last August following a fight inside the Tracy Circle apartment they shared with Thomas' mother. Authorities have not released a possible motive.

Jim has been with WCBE since 1996. Before that he worked as a reporter at another Columbus radio station, and for three newspapers in Southwest Florida.
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