US, MS: Suspect confesses in Hattiesburg slaying of Trans man

[ftmichael]

http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090805/NEWS/90805023/Suspect+confesses+in+Hattiesburg+slaying

Suspect confesses in Hattiesburg slaying
Hattiesburg American • August 5, 2009

HATTIESBURG — A man arrested and charged in the slaying of a transsexual told reporters that he stabbed the victim after they had an argument.

Devin Fortune, 28, appeared in Forrest County Justice Court today for his role in the stabbing death of Archie Avis Brooks, 47.

“I feel bad,” Fortune told reporters. “I regret what I done. I made a mistake.”


Murder suspect Devin Fortune, front, is lead from court today after making his initial appearance in the stabbing death of Archie Avis Brooks. (Photo: George Clark, Hattiesburg American)

Bond for Fortune, who is charged with one count of murder, was set at $1 million during his initial court appearance. Fortune is being held at the Forrest County Jail.

Fortune was arrested Monday in connection to the slaying of Brooks, who was born Karen Brooks, according to his mother.

Police found Brooks’ body in a second-floor unit of Oakwood Apartments in Hattiesburg.

Forrest County Deputy Coroner Jonathan Nobles said Brooks had been dead since July 26.

For more on this story, read Thursday’s Hattiesburg American.