Milwaukee transgender women’s homicide trial; jury selection is underway

MILWAUKEE – Jury selection will resume Tuesday morning, June 4, as well as opening statements, in the trial of the man accused of shooting and killing a transgender woman in Milwaukee.

After more than a year, Cordell Howze’s manslaughter trial was scheduled to begin on Monday, June 3.

Howze was accused of killing 31-year-old Cashay Henderson and setting her apartment on fire.

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“I talked to him about what would be valid defenses, what would be appropriate defenses to present to the jury, and I talked to him — I made it clear what my thoughts were,” said defense attorney Stephen Sargent.

Fire crews were called to an apartment fire at 29th and Villard last February.

Inside, they found Henderson’s body.

Two days later, Fox Valley police were involved in a low-speed chase.

Inside the car – Howze.

The Neenah man has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide, criminal possession of a weapon and arson.

According to the criminal complaint, Howze told his friend, “I got the body of a disgusting transsexual.” His friend knew that meant Howze had killed a transgender person.

The friend also said Howze showed a video that appeared to show a dead woman with blood on her head and a fish tank with a snake in it, like the one found in Henderson’s apartment.

Howze’s mother told investigators she gave him a Gucci and Rolex purse, which investigators say belonged to Henderson.

Howze initially pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, but this was thrown out by the court after two doctors examined Howze.

On Monday morning, the parties discussed some preliminary matters.

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“I plead my innocence,” Howze said.

The state said ballistics and DNA tests were conducted, but were largely inconclusive. But all the reports were turned over to the defense, along with the files from Howze’s arrest in Fox Valley.

A jury of 17 women and 18 men was included in the jury selection process.

The trial is expected to take place next week.