Fly On Broken Wing

Fly On Broken Wing

A memorial video of a live performance that was held at MCCLA in west Hollywood.

Nicki Backer is at 2:38 from the end.

Crime of the Week: July 31

July 31, 2007 07:05 PM

Crime of the Week: July 31

Crime Stoppers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Metro police need help solving a murder mystery in which the victim was a man dressed as a woman.

It happened outside a club on Jan. 7 in South Nashville.

The body of 31-year-old Nakia Baker was lying on the ground next to his car in the parking lot. He was shot once in the head.

Police said Baker lived the lifestyle of a woman. When police found him, he was wearing women's clothes.

"Whether that has anything to do with his homicide or not, we're not certain," said Brad Corcoran, a Metro police detective.

Baker's body was in the parking lot of Club Adventura and Billiards at 3312B Nolensville Road.

Witnesses told police Baker was socializing inside the after-hours club until he left to walk to his car.

"We're looking for anybody that saw Mr. Baker in the parking lot or may have seen him walking up and down Nolensville Road," Corcoran said.

Baker's car was a blue Oldsmobile Intrigue. There was damage to the front of the car. It had a black light hooked up to illuminate the passenger compartment.

Police fear Baker's lifestyle make keep some witnesses from coming forward with information about the crime.

"Mr. Baker had a family that cared about him and the police department cares and we want to solve this crime," Corcoran said.

Callers to Crime Stoppers may remain anonymous.

If anyone knows anything about Baker's shooting death, they are encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME.

The information could be worth up to $1,000.

Info sought in Baker's death

Info sought in Baker's death
By TURNER HUTCHENS
trhutchens@dnj.com

Metro Police are looking for the public's help in the beating death of a transgender Murfreesboro man who was found shot to death in the parking lot of a Nashville bar.

The body of Nakia Ladelle Baker, 31, of Richardson Road was found next to his car at 3312-B Nolensville Pike behind Club Adventura & Billiards in the early morning of Jan. 7.

Baker — who lived as a woman but had not undergone surgery to change genders — was shot in the head by a handgun, Metro Police Detective Brad Corcoran said.

"There was some type of altercation in the parking lot and a struggle, and a gunshot," Corcoran said.

Although the death had initially been reported as a beating death, an autopsy found a bullet.

There were signs of a struggle around Baker's car, but no one in the area — including security guards — reported hearing a gunshot, Corcoran said.

Before the shooting, Baker had been in the bar along with several other transgender individuals, though the crowd inside the bar was mixed, Corcoran said.

Baker left the bar as it was closing down, but no one has reported seeing the altercation or the death, he added.

Corcoran said almost everyone who had been at the bar that night has been interviewed, and although there is still forensics and ballistic information being analyzed, it would be very helpful for a witness, or someone who had heard subsequent conversation about the shooting death, to come forward.

Metro Police spokeswoman Kristin Mumford said the case is still active, and that a CrimeStoppers reward of $1,000 was being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. Nashville CrimeStoppers can be reached by calling 742-7463. Anyone wishing to contact the detective directly can call 862-7680.

While it is upsetting for many people, She should be considered female. She lived and presented as a woman. It doesn't matter if she has had Gender Affirmation Surgery or not. Please, a little respect. Female pronouns please. Thank you Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 7:02 pm

Originally published February 23, 2007

Crime of the Week - Nakia Baker

Crime of the Week

February 6 , 2007

This week Nashville Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of $1000 cash for clues called in to 74-CRIME that help solve the murder of Nakia Baker on Nolensville Road in south Nashville.

On Sunday, January 7, 2007 at about five thirty in the morning, the body of thirty-one year old Nakia Baker was found lying on the ground, next to his car, in the parking lot of Club Adventura & Billiards at 3312-B Nolensville Road. This club is an after hours club that is frequented by men who dress in women's clothing. At the time Mr. Baker was found he was dressed as a woman. Police do not know if that is the reason why he was killed or if it contributed to his death. Witnesses told officers that Mr. Baker had been socializing inside the club until he left to walk to his car.

Mr. Baker's car was a blue Oldsmobile Intrigue that had body damage to the front of the car. It had a black light hooked up to illuminate the passenger compartment. Detectives would like anyone who may have seen Nakia Baker talking to someone by his car to call Crime Stoppers and share what they saw.

Mr. Baker was a resident of Murfreesboro, Tennessee but came to Nashville frequently to socialize and visit with his friends.

If you have information which might help Metro Police solve the murder of Nakis Baker in the parking lot of club Adventura & Billiards on Nolensville Road in south Nashville, call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME. If the arrest results in the arrest and prosecution, you could be eligible for a cash reward of $1000.

Crime stoppers will also pay up to $1000 for clues called in to 74-CRIME on any other major crime, wanted person, stolen property or drugs. Callers remain anonymous , they will only be known by the code number they are issued.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE INFORMATION ON ANY CRIME, CALL 74-CRIME (742-7463)

http://www.police.nashville.org/get_involved/crime_stoppers/cotw.htm

Obituary picture of Nakia Ladelle Baker

I found a bigger picture of Nakia Ladelle Baker at the site of the funeral home the family used.

Here is the text of the obituary.

Name:
Nakia Ladelle Baker

Private Service:

Obituary:
Nakia Ladelle Baker (Boo Boo) age 32, was born October 9, 1974 in Rutherford County. He was born to Ida M. Baker and the late Alonzo E. E. Baker, Sr. He departed this life on January 7, 2007.

He professed a hope in Christ at an early age at Stone River Primitive Baptist Church. He leaves to cherish his memory a loving and devoted mother, Ida M. Baker; brothers, Alonzo E. Baker, Jr. and Darrel D. Baker; sisters, Marissa Veals and Keisha Miles. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, an aunt, Johnnie Burford and friends.

Out & About - Letters: Cousin of Nakia Ladell Baker sends letter to Nashville and Murfreesboro mayors

Posted 01/11/2007

Dear Mayor Purcell and Mayor Bragg,

I am writing to you about the murder of a Nakia Ladell Baker. I do not know if you are aware that she was transgendered and this may be an issue of a hate crime. I am Tennessean at heart, being I born and raised in Murfreesboro. The victim was also my cousin.

I just wanted to know if the city and police have attempted to make any lead on the case. I hope the detective assigned to it, is making a serious effort to this homicide. I have noticed in the past that the police in the city really takes a blind eye to violent crimes among the gay community you have there. I also am aware that the citizens in the city are tied deeply to there faith, but you have to admit that a crime that could have been committed in the name of hate and fear is despicable.

I have enlisted the help of several national organizations and some in Tennessee from my home in San Francisco, CA. I have asked the LGBT paper Out & About, The Transgendered Political Coalition, ACLU, The Advocate news magazine, and the Human Rights Campaign to also investigate what the police might conveniently overlook.

This letter is not to be as a threat I just want justice to be done and for people to see that the stereotypes are untrue for the city of Nashville and the state of Tennessee. I know there is good in everyones heart and we all would like to live in a world where we do not fear what we do not understand.

Thank you so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Robert Shawn White
San Francisco, CA.
shawnjohn79@yahoo.com

Fwd: Update on Nakia Baker

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Marisaval@aol.com <Marisaval@aol.com >
Date: Jan 21, 2007 6:49 PM
Subject: Update on Nakia Baker

I promised all in attendance at the meeting Friday night that I would send
any new info I have on the Nakia Baker murder. Well, I talked to Nakia's
cousin, Shawn White of San Francisco, this afternoon, so this is what I learned.

Nakia was definitely transgender. She has been on hormones for years &
apparently transitioned between 1990 &amp; 1992 (he couldn't remember exactly when).
She was definitely not a man dressed in women's clothing for the weekend as the
police statement suggested (although that could still make Nakia trans even
if she did not live full time). And Nakia was the new name. Nakia kept her
birth name, Ladell, as a middle name.

The most amazing thing he said is that the police originally tried to call it
a "suicide attempt", as if a person would intentionally beat themselves to
death in the head in a parking lot in the middle of the night....They finally
switched positions when it became apparent Nakia was beaten by someone else.

Unfortunately, it seems that Nakia's mother "wasn't OK" with the gender
change. I don't know how long it will take for her to be willing to talk to us.

Marisa

--

=======================================================

Yahoo IM: vickiecd
Email: vickiecd@yahoo.com
http://vickiedavis.blogspot.com/
http://profiles.yahoo.com/vickiecd
Website Director of http://tvals.org/

Maybe some people want to be lesbians or gay men
to be a part of the crowd
but nobody wants to be transsexual to be part of a crowd --
they just want to be themselves.
Callan Williams

=======================================================

Nakia Ladelle Baker's Obituary photo

Transgender murder in Nashville

Police Looking For Leads In Fatal Beating

Jan 8, 2007 08:40 AM

NASHVILLE - Police are looking for help after the victim of a deadly beating was found behind a South Nashville pool hall.

A security guard spotted Nakia Baker's body, lying next to a car behind Club Adventura early Sunday morning.

Police said Baker had suffered trauma to his head. Investigators believe he may have gotten in some sort of confrontation in the parking lot.

If you have any information about this case, call Metro police.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Found Dead Wearing Women's Clothing

POSTED: 10:56 am CST January 8, 2007
UPDATED: 12:41 pm CST January 8, 2007

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Police have identified the man who was found dead Sunday morning near his car in south Nashville. Naklia Baker’s body was found near a club on Nolensville Pike. Investigators said Baker was dressed in women’s clothing and had suffered head trauma.

Witnesses reported he had been seen socializing in the club with other men dressed as women. Baker may have been involved in some type of confrontation in the parking lot, according to police.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRESS RELEASE


For Immediate Release: Dated January 10, 2007
From: Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC)
Contact: Marisa Richmond, Ph.D., Nashville
Contact Address: P.O. Box 92335, Nashville, TN 37209
Contact Email: TTGPAC@aol.com
Contact Cell Phone: 615-293-6199
Contact FAX: 615-353-1834
Website: http://ttgpac.com


TTPC Condemns Murder of Nakia Ladelle Baker in Nashville

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) condemns the murder of Nakia Ladelle Baker, a 31 year old transperson from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Baker's body was found beaten in a parking lot behind a nightclub in the Radnor neighborhood of Nashville in the early morning hours of January 7, 2007.

We also extend our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Nakia Ladelle Baker.

Baker's murder is the seventh documented murder of a person based on gender identity or expression in Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. Only four of these murders have been solved to date.

The murder of Nakia Ladelle Baker is also the second murder of a transgender person in the State of Tennessee in less than a year.

On February 16, 2006, 21 year old Tiffany Berry, a pre-operative transsexual, was shot three times in the chest after she had just stepped outside of her South Memphis apartment. She died a few minutes later. Memphis police describe it as a robbery-homocide, despite the fact that her purse was not taken, and claim that her being a transsexual was not relevant.

The board and members of TTPC encourage the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, as well as the Memphis Police Department, to investigate these crimes aggressively so that the perpetrators can be brought to justice. We also ask anyone with any information about these crimes to come forward.

The Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC) is an organization designed to educate and advocate on behalf of transgender related legislation at the Federal, State and local levels. TTPC is dedicated to raising public awareness and building alliances with other organizations concerned with equal rights legislation.

For more information, contact:

Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition (TTPC)
P.O. Box 92335
Nashville, TN 37209
TTGPAC@aol.com