Dana Rivers
Dana Rivers is an American mass murderer, convicted of killing a family of three. Rivers, a male who identifies as a woman, was notable as a transgender rights activist, prior being arrested for and eventually convicted of triple homicide. [1][2]
Personal life
Rivers, born David Warfield, grew up in the San Francisco area. They served three years in the US Navy before pursuing a career in education.[1]
They were a labor leader in Orange County for the American Federation of Teachers.[3], and elected twice to the Huntington Beach Union High School District during the 1980s.[3] They were also a baseball coach and a white-water rafting instructor.[4]
Rivers attributed their past alcoholism and three failed marriages to suffering from gender dysphoria.[4]
In June 2000, Eugene Schrang performed surgery on Rivers, which included a penile inversion and breast enlargement.[5]
Discrimination case
Rivers gained global attention in 1999 when she was fired as a teacher because she came out as a transgender woman to her students at Center High School in Antelope, California.[1] Before coming out, they had been recognized as an outstanding teacher by the school.[1] But, when she started to discuss her transition, she was warned not to discuss such matters at the school, and ultimately the board voted 3–2 to fire her for coming out to students.[1] Rivers sued the school board for the dismissal, and she eventually received $150,000 over the matter.[1][6]
Murders
In 2016 Rivers was charged with killing three members of a family in Oakland, California. The bodies of Patricia Wright and Charlotte Reed, who were married, were found in their home. The body of the couple's son, Toto Diambu, was found outside of the home.[1] In 2017, Rivers pleaded not guilty to the charges.[7] In 2018 she was ordered to stand trial on the murder charges.[8] After years of delay, Rivers' jury trial on charges of murder began in late October, 2022.[9] After a brief deliberation, November 16th, a jury found Rivers guilty on all charges.[10] Rivers' insanity defense shall be considered on December 5, 2022.[11]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Andrews, Travis M. (November 18, 2016). "She gained fame as an early transgender advocate. Now, she's charged with triple homicide". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ Goldberg, Noah (November 17, 2022). "Transgender activist and former teacher found guilty of triple murder". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ a b Bailey, Eric (October 11, 1992). "Teacher's Firing Over Gender Change Stirs Controversy". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 30, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ a b Nieves, Evelyn (September 27, 1999). "After Sex Change, Teacher Is Barred From School". New York Times. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
- ^ "Sex Change Operation Ignites Controversy". ABC News. January 6, 2006. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ Gartrell, Nate (November 17, 2022). "Dana Rivers guilty: Oakland jury takes less than a day to return triple-murder verdict". Mercury News. Retrieved November 20, 2022.
- ^ "Woman Pleads Not Guilty To 3 Counts Of Murder". SF Gate. July 5, 2017. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ "Transgender Activist Ordered To Stand Trial For Oakland Triple Murder". CBS San Francisco. March 7, 2018. Archived from the original on July 11, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2022.
- ^ Helling, Steve (October 12, 2022). "Ex-Teacher Faces Murder Trial After Family of 3 — Including Teen Son — Are Shot, Stabbed in Calif. Home". People. Retrieved November 8, 2022.
- ^ Gluck, Genevive (November 16, 2022). "Prominent Trans Activist Found Guilty for 2016 Triple Homicide of California Family". reduxx.info. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ Goldberg, Noah (November 17, 2022). "Transgender activist and former teacher found guilty of triple murder". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 20, 2022.