Accused murderer of transgender woman will not face hate crime charges

21-year-old transgender woman Zella Ziona was shot between the Montgomery Village Plaza and the Montgomery Village Crossing shopping centers last Thursday. 20-year-old Rico Hector Leblond has been charged with murder in connection with her death; however, despite pleas from Ziona’s family, Leblond will not be facing a hate crime charge as Montgomery County Prosecutor John McCarthy says that the time Leblond already faces is sufficient. The accused is being held without bail.