Podcasts > Rotten Mango > #343: Teens Kill Transgender Classmate To See If “It” Will Scream Like A Girl Or Boy

#343: Teens Kill Transgender Classmate To See If “It” Will Scream Like A Girl Or Boy

By Stephanie Soo & Ramble

Dive into the gripping and tragic narrative surrounding the murder of Brianna with "Rotten Mango," where hosts Stephanie Soo and Rui Qian meticulously dissect the biases and failings exhibited by the legal system and media in this harrowing case. The episode unveils the premeditated violence rooted in transphobia, as the perpetrators harbored a morbid curiosity about Brianna's reaction under duress, cruelly aiming to decipher her gender identity through her screams. As the hosts illuminate, the inability of the Cheshire police and judiciary to recognize the crime as a hate crime, and the media's disrespectful coverage, reflect broader societal issues around gender and identity.

The ripple effect of Brianna's murder extended far beyond the courtroom, instilling a heightened sense of fear and vulnerability within the transgender community and among Brianna's personal connections. Stephanie Soo and Rui Qian explore the rise in crisis calls and the grief echoed by friends and family alike. Nonetheless, out of the depths of tragedy, Brianna's mother, Esther, channeled her heartache into the creation of "Peace In Mind." Esther's initiative, in collaboration with the Mindfulness in Schools Project, aims to bring about change and resilience in the face of adversity by imparting mindfulness education to children across England and Wales. With "Rotten Mango," listeners are invited to reflect on the case's profound impact and the ongoing fight for justice and understanding within marginalized communities.

#343: Teens Kill Transgender Classmate To See If “It” Will Scream Like A Girl Or Boy

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#343: Teens Kill Transgender Classmate To See If “It” Will Scream Like A Girl Or Boy

1-Page Summary

Brianna's tragic murder highlights significant failings within both the legal system and media. The hosts of the discussed case unveil how transphobia and a sinister attraction to serial killers spearheaded her death. Scarlett and Eddie's murder of Brianna was fraught with premeditation, stemming from transphobic hatred and a macabre obsession with violence. Chillingly, Eddie had previously expressed a desire to test if Brianna would scream in a masculine or feminine manner, indicating their deep-rooted disgust. Despite several prior attempts on her life, the Cheshire police and the judiciary failed to classify the murder as a hate crime. This was even though the judge acknowledged transphobia as an escalating factor. Media coverage was equally irresponsible, with mainstream outlets misgendering Brianna, neglecting her transgender status, and at times, even attempting to rationalize the motivations of her murderers. Scarlett and Eddie's ludicrous finger-pointing and denial of their actions in court further underscored the miscarriage of justice, as they evaded responsibility and offered implausible defenses.

Impact on minorities and Brianna's family and friends

The murder caused a ripple effect of fear and sorrow across the transgender community and personal circles. After the crime, transgender individuals reported a spike in crises, with calls to helplines increasing by 31%, underscoring the palpable sentiment of fear that permeated the community. Brianna’s friends within the trans community similarly conveyed their grief and amplified sense of vulnerability, with some feeling too frightened to even leave their homes. Brianna's mother, Esther, amidst her deep sorrow, voiced in court her anguish over the attack and the agony of knowing it came from one of Brianna's perceived friends. She outlined the various challenges her daughter faced, such as autism, ADHD, and anxiety, which might have compromised her ability to sense danger. In an effort to bring about positive change from her loss, Esther created Peace In Mind, a nonprofit teaching mindfulness in schools across England and Wales. This initiative works in collaboration with the Mindfulness in Schools Project to offer curricula and teacher training focused on equipping children with skills to handle negative emotions and stresses constructively.

1-Page Summary

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Scarlett and Eddie are individuals involved in the murder of Brianna. They exhibited premeditation in their actions, driven by transphobic hatred and a fascination with violence. Eddie had expressed disturbing intentions related to Brianna's gender identity before the murder. Their behavior in court included denying responsibility and offering implausible defenses, highlighting a miscarriage of justice in the case.
  • Misgendering in media coverage occurs when a person's gender identity is not respected or accurately represented in news reports or articles. This often happens when transgender individuals are referred to using incorrect pronouns or names that do not align with their gender identity. Misgendering can be harmful and disrespectful, contributing to the erasure of transgender individuals' identities and perpetuating discrimination and stigma. It is essential for media outlets to use the correct gender markers and names when reporting on transgender individuals to show respect and uphold their dignity.
  • The Cheshire police and judiciary faced criticism for not categorizing Brianna's murder as a hate crime despite acknowledging transphobia as a factor. This decision raised concerns about the handling of the case and the recognition of bias-motivated crimes. The failure to label the crime as a hate crime highlighted potential shortcomings in addressing and prosecuting offenses driven by prejudice. The handling of the case by the authorities sparked discussions about the need for improved sensitivity and understanding of issues affecting marginalized communities.
  • The murder of Brianna had a profound impact on the transgender community, leading to increased fear and vulnerability among transgender individuals. Crisis helplines saw a significant rise in calls, indicating heightened anxiety and distress within the community. Brianna's friends expressed deep grief and fear, with some feeling too scared to even leave their homes. The incident highlighted the ongoing challenges and risks faced by transgender individuals, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support for their safety and well-being.
  • Esther, Brianna's mother, created Peace In Mind, a nonprofit that promotes mindfulness in schools. This initiative aims to equip children with skills to manage negative emotions and stress effectively. Esther's background includes dealing with the challenges her daughter faced, such as autism, ADHD, and anxiety. She channeled her grief into a positive cause to help others cope with mental health issues.

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#343: Teens Kill Transgender Classmate To See If “It” Will Scream Like A Girl Or Boy

Injustice in the legal system and media regarding Brianna's murder

Discussing the case of Brianna's tragic murder, the hosts dive into the many failings of the legal system and media in addressing the crime with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserved, underscoring the potent mix of transphobia and a fascination with serial killers that led to her death.

Scarlett and Eddie premediated the murder due to transphobia and fascination with serial killers

The crime against Brianna was premeditated and fuelled by deep-seated transphobia and a morbid fascination with violence. Scarlett and Eddie shared a jealousy and obsession with Brianna, intensified by transphobic sentiments. For instance, Eddie Radcliffe sent a text before the murder saying, "I wanted to see if it would scream like a boy or girl," and described Brianna with dehumanizing language, such as "unnatural." Scarlett and Eddie made multiple attempts to kill Brianna previously, including plans to poison her by putting something like sodium hydroxide, or lye, in her drink. Stephanie and Rui discuss that several attempts on Brianna's life were made in the span of 10 weeks after Scarlett arrived at the school, revealing the extent of the duo's persistence and malice.

Police initially refused to classify Brianna's murder as a hate crime

Cheshire police refused to classify the murder as a hate crime, citing the presence of non-transgender people on Eddie and Scarlett’s previously crafted kill list as evidence that the murder did not specifically target Brianna for being transgender. The judge recognized transphobia as an aggravating factor but ultimately did not charge Eddie and Scarlett with a hate crime—a decision which left many in the trans community feeling unseen and invalidated.

Mainstream media misgendered Brianna and misrepresented the murder

The initial media reports failed Brianna, deadnaming her, and misrepresenting her identity by saying she had been "living as a girl for several months." Some publications avoided mentioning Brianna's transgender status, while others reduced her to only her transgender identity, often in the context of stating there was no evidence of the murder being a hate crime. On Twitter, people deadnamed and misgendered Brianna, with some trying to excuse the killers' actions.

Scarlett and Eddie blamed each other and made bizarre excuses in court

In court, Scarlett and Eddie engaged in a blame game, each denying responsibility for the crime. Eddie held a sign proclaiming his innocence, despite overwhelming evidence against him. He ...

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Injustice in the legal system and media regarding Brianna's murder

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Deadnaming is the act of using a transgender or non-binary person's birth name or former name that they no longer identify with after transitioning. It can be hurtful, disrespectful, and invalidating to the individual's gender identity. Transgender individuals often choose a new name that aligns with their gender identity as part of their transition process.
  • Misgendering is when someone uses language or pronouns that do not align with a person's gender identity. It often involves referring to a transgender person with the wrong gender pronouns or using their previous name instead of their chosen name. This can be hurtful and disrespectful to the individual's identity and can contribute to discrimination and marginalization.
  • Deadnaming is the act of using a transgender person's birth name that they no longer identify with after transitioning. It can be hurtful and invalidating to the individual's gender identity. Transgender individuals often choose a new name that aligns with their gender identity as part of their transition process. Deadnaming can be unintentional or deliberate, but it is generally considered disrespectful and harmful.
  • The mention of discussing cannibalism in the context of the defendants' fantasies suggests that they engaged in disturbing conversations or thoughts related to consuming human flesh. This detail underscores the extreme and macabre nature of their discussions and plans surrounding the crime. It indicates a level of depravity and abnormality in their mindset and the seriousness of their violent intentions. The reference to cannibalism adds a chilling layer to the already disturbing na ...

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#343: Teens Kill Transgender Classmate To See If “It” Will Scream Like A Girl Or Boy

Impact on minorities and Brianna's family and friends

The tragic loss of Brianna had a profound and widespread impact, not only within her personal circles but also among the broader communities to which she belonged.

Transgender community had 31% spike in crisis calls and felt unsafe after the murder

In the aftermath of the murder, the transgender community experienced a significant increase in distress, as highlighted by a spokesperson for Mermaids UK who mentioned a 31% increase in helpline calls that week. Friends from Brianna’s trans community echoed this sentiment, sharing their grief and fear, with some stating that they didn't feel safe enough to leave their homes anymore.

Brianna's mother started nonprofit to teach mindfulness in schools

Through unimaginable grief, Brianna's mother, Esther, delivered an impact statement in court about the unexpected nature of the attack and the devastating realization that it had been carried out by someone Brianna considered a friend. She spoke of the challenges Brianna faced including autism, ADHD, and anxiety, which left her with a diminished ability to recognize danger.

Hoping to transform her tragedy into som ...

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Impact on minorities and Brianna's family and friends

Additional Materials

Clarifications

  • Mermaids UK is a UK-based charity that provides support and resources for transgender and gender-diverse individuals, particularly young people and their families. They offer helpline services, support groups, and educational resources to help individuals navigate issues related to gender identity. Mermaids UK plays a crucial role in advocating for the rights and well-being of transgender individuals and raising awareness about the challenges they face in society.
  • Brianna faced challenges related to autism, ADHD, and anxiety, which impacted her ability to recognize danger and navigate social situations effectively. These conditions may have influenced her experiences and interactions with others, contributing to her vulnerability in certain circumstances. Autism is a developmental disorder that can affect social skills and communication, while ADHD can involve difficulties with attention and impulse control. Anxiety may have added an extra layer of complexity to Brianna's daily life, affecting her emotional well-being and responses to stressors.
  • Brianna's challenges, including autism, ADHD, and anxiety, could have impacted her ability to recognize danger due to difficulties in processing social cues, impulsivity, and heightened anxiety levels. Individuals with these conditions may struggle with understanding subtle social signals, regulating impulsive behaviors, and managing overwhelming feelings of anxiety, potentially affecting their judgment in assessing risky situations. These challenges could have made it harder for Brianna to accurately perceive and respond to potential threats in her environment, contributing to her vulnerability in certain situations.
  • Peace In Mind, founded by Brianna's mother Esther Jai, is a nonprofit organization focused on teaching mindfulness in schools. The initiative collaborates with the Mindfulness in Schools ...

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