THE MURDER OF TEENA BRANDON

THE MURDER OF TEENA BRANDON

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TEENA BRANDON INTRODUCTION

     Brandon Teena, hoped he could start a new life, in a new

place, where no one would know that his sexual identity was 

trans. Instead, he was outed in a humiliating fashion in front

a roomful of people. After which, he was brutally raped and

murdered by two male acquaintances. In the aftermath, many

journalists at the time, framed the story as curiosity at "best",

or an outright "joke" at worst.

    Teena's death was a watershed moment in LBTBQ history.

Not only did it expose an experience, of anti-trans-violence. 

Arguably, this case helped changed the course of hate laws in

the United States for years to come after the tragedy.

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EARLY LIFE

    Born on December 12, 1972. Brandon was originally given the

name Teena Renae Brandon. He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska

and raised by single mother Jo Ann Brandon.

   Since Brandon's father died in a car accident before he was

born, his mother greatly struggled to financially support both

him and his sister. Both children were sexually abused by a

male relative for years during childhood.

   Growing up, Brandon was often depicted as a "tomboy." He

preferred to dress in masculine clothing over traditionally female

clothing. By the time he was in high school, he first began dating

women. He used masculine names like "Billy" and "Brandon;"

eventually settling on "Brandon."

   Though popular with the girls; some people did not know he was

trans. Teena struggled to focus in class much of the time high 

school. He began skipping classes regularly, and, inevitably was

expelled from high school. Around the same time Teena was

failing out of school, Teena too, began struggled in relationship

with mother. Teena's mother was openly against her showing

and exploring her sexual identity.

    Seeing few options for future success, Teena supported himself

by working odd jobs and dabbling in petty crimes like forgery

and stealing checks and credit cards. Longing for a fresh start,

Brandon moved to Falls City region of Nebraska by his 21st

birthday.

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BRUTAL RAPE AND MURDER

  While exploring the Falls City area Brandon settled in a small

town called Humbolt. Soon thereafter, he moved in with a young

single mother Lisa Lambert. Brandon befriended some locals as

well including John Lotter and Marvin Nissen. Brandon soon

began dating 19 year-old Lana Tisdale.

  However, everything started falling apart on December 19, 1993.

That day Brandon was arrested for writing bad checks. When his

girlfriend, Lana Tisdale, came to the jail to bail him out, she was

shocked to see Brandon being housed in with female inmates.

At the point, with Lana's pressing questions, Brandon disclosed

that he was intersex. It's an unsubstantiated claim that he had

previously made. He also added that he was hoping to receive

sex re-assingment surgery.

   It's unclear how his disclosing this information affected the

relationship with Lana. Regardless, Teena and Lana stayed on

good terms and stayed in touch. However, it wasn't just Lana

who become aware of Brandon's trans status. Details about the

arrest were published in the local paper; which included her real

name: "TEENA BRANDON." This meant that Brandon was outed,

and ALL of his new acquaintances all became aware of his 

gender.

   When word of Brandon's trans status got to Lotter and Nissan,

that the two men became furious with Brandon at a Christmas

Eve party at Lana's house. At the party, both Lotter and Nissen

violently confronted Brandon. Not only did Lotter and Nissen

physically attack Brandon, they kidnapped him, and took turns

raping and beating Brandon over a course of hours. After the

attack, they drove Brandon home, while threatening to kill him

if he ever came forward to report the beating and or rape. Teena,

despite their threats and warning, opted to make a report with

the local sheriff about what she had endured.

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PRESSING CHARGES

    Richardson County Sheriff Charles Laux, refused to take a

report from Teena. He refused to believe her or take her

seriously. Instead, he asked her demeaning questions about her

trans status, implying she was at fault, and discussing her

sexuality instead. Though Sheriff Laux called in Lotter and Nissen

for questioning. regarding the alleged beating and rape, but the

men were released, without charge, afterwards. Unfortunately,

this left plenty of time for Lotter and Nissen to carry out revenge

for her going to the Sheriff. The very day that the men were

brought in to talk to the sheriff, Lotter and Nissen broken into

the farmhouse of single mother Lisa Lambert; where Brandon

had been staying since moving to Falls City. Lisa Lambert, a friend

staying over, Phillip Devine, and Teena Brandon were all found

shot and stabbed to death the next day. The only person spared

for murder by Nissen and Lotter was Lambert's 8 month old baby;

who was left alive and unharmed.

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AFTERMATH

   Nissen and Lotter were arrested shortly thereafter; and, charged

with murder. They both were eventually found guilty in a court

of law. Initially, Lotter received the Death Penalty, and Nissen

received Life in Prison. However, Nebraska abolished the Death

Penalty and Lotter's sentence was commuted from DP to life in

prison.

   Jo Ann Brandon, Teena Brandon's mother sued Richardson

County Sheriff Laux for failing to protect her daughter. Initially,

she was offered a sum of around 17k, but Teena's mom kept

fighting with the sheriffs office for years. Eventually, she settled

with the Sheriff's department with 98k.

  As for Sheriff Laux himself, he forced little consequence for

his choices that lead up to the murder of Teena Brandon.He

received a "verbal reprimand ." He additionally was required to

personally apologize to the victim's mother; Jo Ann Brandon.