L.A. District Attorney Will Not Press Charges Against Men Who Attacked Transwomen In Viral Video

The L.A. County District Attorney has decided not to pursue charges at this time against the men who carried out a hate crime against three transwomen of color.

Eden The Doll, Jaselene Whiterose, and JoslynFlawless were attacked in Hollywood while waiting for their rideshare pickup. In the attack that went viral on social media, the men hit them, stole from their purses, and threatened to kill them for apparently no reason. Even more shocking was the fact that bystanders egged the attackers on while a police car was seen driving past the assault without stopping. Jaslene was knocked unconscious after being struck in the head, while Joslyn was threatened with a crowbar by the attackers.

29-year-old Carlton Callway and 42-year-old Willie Walker were arrested for the attack but were released Tuesday afternoon. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office said that charges have been halted, citing “further investigation.” That means the case has been sent back to the Los Angeles Police Department.

“Our office has asked for further investigation,” said Greg Risling. “No charges have been filed at this time. Once the investigation is complete, the case will be reviewed for filing consideration.”

“The district attorney has decided to temporarily reject the case from further investigation, meaning that the individual that was arrested will be released today,” a lawyer can be heard on the call saying to Eden The Doll, who shared a video of herself speaking to him. “The DA that was assigned this case feels that he needs more time to review the evidence. Now whether that’s typical standard procedure, I don’t know.”

Now, LGBTQIA+ activists are speaking out against the attack, and are fighting to get the women the justice that they deserve.

“We want to make sure the case is being investigated as a hate crime,” said Terra Russell-Slavin, director of policy and community building at the L.A. LGBT Center, according to ABC 7. “The community is watching. I think if people are being asked to report, part of that is building the trust to make those reports and ensure the matters are going to be taken seriously.”

A Change.Org petition has begun to circulate demanding charges to be filed, and a GoFundMe has also circulated to assist the victims.