Mistrial declared in case of Memphis police officer accused of beating transgender prisoner

Mistrial declared in transgender beating case

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A federal judge in Memphis has declared a mistrial for a former police officer charged with beating a transgender prisoner.

The mistrial was declared Monday after jurors began deliberating last Wednesday in the case against Bridges McRae. He was accused of violating the civil rights of Duanna Johnson, a biological male who lived as a woman.

Johnson was repeatedly hit in the face with handcuffs as she was being booked into jail on a prostitution charge in February 2008. McRae testified Johnson pushed and scratched him and he was trying to control her.

The 43-year-old Johnson was shot to death later in 2008 on a street corner near her home. No one has been arrested.

Prosecutors say they plan to charge McRae again. He will stay free on his current bond.