James Dixon has rejected a plea offer of 12 years in prison if he pleads guilty. Now he will face up to 25 years behind bars if convicted of beating Islan Nettles to death on a trial that starts today.

Dixon came forward after police at first had detained Paris Wilson on a charge of assault. Dixon had fled the scene of the assault on Nettles, which was right outside a police precinct in Harlem.

Dixon admitted killing Nettles in a 2013 interview with police.

Dixon claimed he simply “had some words” with Nettles and that he did not remember them until NYPD Det. Thaddeus Hall, now retired, pressed him for the real story insisting Dixon’s version “didn't make sense.”

There's something that leads up to the altercation … so what transpired? Did you try to holler at her?

--Hall

Dixon finally admitted that "yes" he was trying to seduce Nettles until one of pals called out, "That's a man!"

Dixon said he had just been tricked days before by other women and had been "clowned" by his pals as a result.

Because, you know, a trans woman who looks good and appeals to this young man is "tricking" him.

He agreed that he felt his "manhood" was threatened by his streak of unknowingly hitting on gals who were born men.

I just didn't want to be fooled," he said, during the hour-long recording in which he was at times evasive but spoke matter-of-factly.

To me, it’s more than just a verdict. It’s about putting visibility out there that New Yorkers aren’t going to stand for folks doing violence against us.

--Lala Zanelli

This hope speaks to the heartrending irony of progress for transgender women in recent years. As their experiences garnered unprecedented attention through the likes of actress Laverne Cox and former athlete Caitlyn Jenner, they were also being killed in numbers greater than ever before.

--Washington Post