Guilty plea in New Westminster homicide
Posted June 9, 2014 11:58 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – Charles Neel has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of January Lapuz in 2012.
Lapuz, a transgender woman, was stabbed to death in her home.
Neel was originally charged with second-degree murder.
Vancouver’s transgender community says it’s relieved Neel has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Lapuz.
Alex Sangha of support group Sher Vancouver, says he and many in the LGBT community were worried this trial could go on for an extended period, so Neel’s plea provides some level of comfort and a move toward closure.
“I felt like we were all preparing for a long, drawn out trial, never knowing what the outcome was going to be and potential outcome of someone getting off. A guilty plea is welcomed news,” he says.
Sangha is remembering Lapuz as the social glue of the transgender community.
He says he hopes the legacy of her death continues to highlight the importance of looking after people in vulnerable communities.
