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Accident – Death – Obituary News : Title: Tragic Death of Transgender Man Sparks Changes in Police Reporting and Transgender Education
Meta Description: The misidentification of a transgender man who was fatally shot in a string of random attacks has led to changes in police reporting and cultural competence training for law enforcement in southeast Michigan.
It was a hot August evening, with temperatures in the mid-80s, when police received a distressing call about an individual lying motionless on the ground in a mobile home park near Ypsilanti. The victim, 26-year-old Jean Butchart, had just started a new job that day at the Van Buren Estates Mobile Home Community. Tragically, he was shot in the head by a stranger and succumbed to his injuries, becoming one of several victims in a series of violent attacks. The incident shed light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals and the need for improved awareness and sensitivity in law enforcement.
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders initiated CPR but soon discovered the fatal head injury. They immediately contacted the police, who began their investigation. However, in the days that followed, bureaucratic mishaps resulted in Jean being misidentified in official records. Although Jean had been living as a transgender man for several years, the paperwork identified him as a woman using his birth name, Catherine. This error sparked outrage among Jean’s family and friends, who accused media outlets of “deadnaming” and “misgendering.”
An investigation by MLive revealed that the misidentification was a result of a clerical error. The Van Buren Township Police had correctly identified Jean as male, but the paperwork sent to the prosecutor’s office led to the mistaken assumption that it was a typo. The error was promptly rectified, but it also prompted changes in southeast Michigan, including the implementation of training programs for police departments on how to report crimes involving transgender individuals.
Advocates argue that this case highlights the evolving issues surrounding transgender victims and the challenges they face when their lives are thrust into the public spotlight. “Deadnaming” is the act of using a transgender person’s discarded name, and it unfortunately occurs in some instances. However, it’s essential to recognize that not all instances stem from malice; society is still learning and evolving.
Jean, known for his love of bandanas, the outdoors, and often referred to as “Nature Boy,” was attacked while pulling weeds on his first day of work. The suspect, Matthew Torrey Tiggs Jr., was seen fleeing the area after the gunshots were heard. Jean’s death was not a hate crime but a random act of violence. Tiggs is currently awaiting trial for second-degree murder and other violent crimes related to the attacks.
Upon investigating the scene, law enforcement officials discovered that Jean’s driver’s license identified him as male, but his legal name remained Catherine Terese Butchart. Witnesses who were present at the scene correctly identified the victim as Jean. The discrepancy resulted from the arduous and expensive process of legally changing one’s name. However, changing one’s gender on state identification has become more accessible and efficient due to a recent rule change by the Michigan Secretary of State.
Detective Michael Long, following protocol, used Jean’s legal name and gender in the investigative report. However, the report failed to include Jean’s preferred pronouns. The prosecutor’s office, which boasts a progressive approach to transgender interactions, quickly rectified the mistake and issued an apology. They have since taken steps to ensure that police officers receive cultural competence training to better handle cases involving transgender individuals.
The incident has prompted a significant shift in transgender education among southeast Michigan police departments. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, in collaboration with the Fair Michigan Justice Project, has organized training sessions to ensure fair treatment of transgender victims and witnesses. The training has been well-received, and additional sessions are planned for all Wayne County police departments and the sheriff’s office.
While Jean’s legacy will be forever marked by tragedy, his death has served as a catalyst for change. It has shed light on the challenges faced by transgender individuals and the importance of cultural competence training in law enforcement. Through these efforts, the hope is that future incidents will be handled with greater sensitivity and respect for transgender victims..
