Sacramento Man Convicted Of Hate Crime For Transgender Beating

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A man was convicted of a hate crime for assaulting a transgender woman because he was embarrassed, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Trayvon Kirkendoll, 23, was convicted of assault with force likely to produce great bodily injury for the July 3 assault at a market in Oak Park.

Prosecutors say Kirkendoll saw the transgender woman enter the store and started talking to her. When he learned the victim was transgender, Kirkendoll became embarrassed, then angry and left the store.

When the victim tried to leave, prosecutors say Kirkendoll and two female companions who were waiting in his car approached her. They told the victim Kirkendoll wasn't gay and then kicked, punched and stomped her. During the assault, prosecutors say "they referred to the victim with derogatory insults, which referenced their perception of her sexual orientation."

Kirkendoll will be sentenced on July 23. He faces a maximum of 13 years in prison.