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Transgender man's killer gets life

The two left a nightclub together shortly before the 2003 slaying. The Largo man was arrested days later.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published September 20, 2006

LARGO - A Largo man who stabbed a transgender man to death after the two left a Clearwater nightclub together was sentenced Monday to life in prison.

William McHenry, 37, left Club Z109 with Lucas McCauley on the night of Dec. 6, 2003, and went to McCauley's home, 1701 Valencia Drive, Largo. There, authorities said, McHenry stabbed McCauley to death.

McCauley, 30, spent his days working as a unit secretary at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. At night, he frequented Club Z109 dressed as a woman named Reshae. The club caters to a gay and transgender clientele.

Law enforcement had considered the murder a possible hate crime, said Largo police Chief Lester Aradi. Monday's sentencing brought relief to those who were involved with the case.

"This was a particularly heinous crime and a very traumatic one for the victim," Aradi said.

Kim McCauley, Lucas' mother, found her son dead the next night in the living room of his apartment, which was next door to her home.

McHenry, who at the time was living with a 55-year-old female companion, was arrested and charged with murder within days of the slaying. After a four-day trial that started earlier this month, jurors found McHenry guilty.

Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge DeeAnna Farnell sentenced McHenry.

The murder sparked fear in the gay and transgender community. Shortly after the crime, Equality Florida, a gay advocacy organization, held a vigil for McCauley.

"With this particular case being brought to justice, it is certainly a step in the right direction," said Brian Winfield, communications director for Equality Florida. "It's good to see that at least in some cases, justice is served."

[Last modified September 20, 2006, 07:24:54]