Leniyah Butler, shown here during her trial in March, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for killing a man who had solicited her for sex.

Sketch: Vicki Behringer

A transgender sex worker convicted of voluntary manslaughter was sentenced to five years in prison by a federal judge October 31, as she and the victim’s family spoke out. 

Defendant Leniyah Butler was remanded to a women’s prison, and will continue to receive hormone therapy, Judge Susan Illston of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California ruled. That decision was pursuant to a request by Butler’s defense attorney David Rizk.

“It’s a unique set of circumstances, but I think prison is required here,” Illston said. “I am going to sentence Miss [Leniyah] Butler to five years in prison.”

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