Janette Tovar was a 43-year-old transgender woman. She was said to be a popular nightclub promoter.

Tovar had been in a relationship with Jonathan Stuart Kenney, 29, for over a year and were living together in October of 2012. From all reports, however, it was a "very turbulent relationship." According to the apartment manager, who dived on the floor below their apartment, the couple were always fighting and were at it again between 8am and 9am on October 15, when he heard Tovar yell, "Get off me." The couple left the apartment at that time...still fighting.

Kenney now admits to slamming Tovar's head into the pavement before they returned to the apartment. Kenney then beat Tovar again.

Around 4pm Kenney called 911 to report that Tovar was unconscious and unresponsive...but not before he posted the following on the Book of Face:

I love you my baby Janette, your my love my everything and I will miss you so much. Your the best thing that ever happened to me girl kisses!!!!!! I hope you can see me down here even though I can’t see you I feel your spirit still living in me. Rest in peace mi amor mi vida.

Tovar was determined to have died from blunt force trauma.

Three days after the death Kenney was arraigned on the charge of murder and held in lieu of $500000 bail. In October his bail was reduced to $50000 and he was released.

In May of 2013 the DA's office re-indicted Kenney on the charge of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury earlier this year. That charge carried a potential sentence of five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Kenney provided a taped statement to police shortly after Tovar’s death, admitting that he slammed Tovar’s head into the concrete, and he continued to assault her after they arrived home at their apartment, the arrest affidavit states.

There was an eyewitness to the assault on the street, but she disappeared.

Marisa Anguiano, Tovar’s cousin, said that friend...

... is engaged and wasn’t supposed to be out with friends that night, so she’s worried about the fate of her relationship if she comes forward. She also said the friend is concerned about being involved in a murder, especially one involving a trans person.

Kenney's plea hearing was set for October 1 but was suddenly rescheduled for yesterday. Anguiana believes that happened because she was raising a stink about the plea bargain.

Kenney pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault and was sentenced to ten years "deferred adjudication." Under the terms Kenney will spend no time in prison and will have no conviction on his record if he does nothing to attract police attention. If he violates the probation, he could still be sentenced to life in prison.

In a tragic case like this one, plea agreements are always difficult. We base plea decisions on the evidence available in any specific case and an overriding desire for justice for both victims and those charged with crimes. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Tovar family at this time.

--Messina Madson, first assistant for the Dallas County district attorney’s office

The probation sentence upset Tovar’s loved ones, who used Tuesday’s sentencing hearing to publicize their campaign for justice. They wore memorial T-shirts and held signs that referenced the Trans Lives Matter movement, including one that said “the world is watching.” They also brought Tovar’s ashes in a black box as a symbol of her solidarity.

Tovar' mother, Delfina Munoz testified during victim impact statements.

I see your face after three years. I am the mom of Janette,” she said through a translator. “I don’t think [10 years probation] is justice.”

Soon, however, her emotions took over. She began sobbing and yelling in Spanish. She did not wait for the translator. It didn’t matter if the court understood; it only mattered that she said what she needed to say. The translator relayed bits and pieces: “Why did you do this?” “What kind of person are you?” “God may forgive you, but I will not.”