In the early morning hours of December 7, 2018, the life of a vibrant 36-year-old Black transgender woman, known to her loved ones as Keanna Mattel, was tragically cut short on a Detroit street. Police identified her as Kelly Stough, but she was a beloved figure in the city's ballroom scene under the name Keanna Mattel. She was found fatally shot at the corner of East McNichols and Brush Streets, a devastating end for a woman who had previously spoken out against the violence faced by the
transgender community.
The investigation into Mattel's death quickly led to an arrest. Albert Weathers, a 46-year-old Baptist pastor from Sterling Heights, was taken into custody in connection with the shooting. Weathers, who was married with children, initially claimed that he had shot Mattel in self-defense during an attempted robbery. He told authorities that after dropping his daughter off at school, Mattel attempted to rob him, and he fired his weapon. An hour after the shooting, Weathers clocked into his job at the Great Lakes Water Authority before contacting the police to report the incident.
As the case unfolded, a different narrative began to emerge. Prosecutors from the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced their intention to present evidence that Mattel's transgender identity was a motive for the killing. The case was assigned to a special prosecutor from the Fair Michigan Justice Project, a collaboration dedicated to handling crimes against LGBTQ individuals. Testimony during legal proceedings revealed a more complex relationship between Weathers and the transgender community. One transgender woman, who was a sex worker, testified that Weathers was a frequent customer in the Palmer Park area, known for soliciting the services of transgender sex workers. She described his attitude as aggressive and intimidating, particularly regarding payment.
Initially, Weathers was charged with open murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, with his bond set at $1 million. The legal process took over four years to reach a resolution. In August 2023, Albert Weathers pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and a felony firearm charge. In exchange for his plea, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for the murder and an additional two years for the gun charge. The victim's mother expressed her gratitude for the resolution of the case. The Wayne County Prosecutor, Kym Worthy, emphasized the commitment of her office to protecting the transgender community, stating that Keanna Mattel 'will not be forgotten. She mattered.'
