And now for something completely different …
Namely, Vonlee’s actually a guy. The former stripper and escort was, though, just one final sex change operation away from making the full switch.
And that’s where the murder comes in. Seems Vonlee’s aunt, Billie Rogers, needed some help in getting rid of her millionaire husband, Don. And Billie was willing to give Vonlee $100,000 for just that help.
Seems like Billie had a little gambling problem. In fact, it was enough of a problem that Don threatened to leave her … and Billie to seriously consider getting rid of him.
As for the actual act, Don first passed out from drinking (a regular happening for the notorious alcoholic). Vonlee then poured vodka down his throat to get him to a nice .44 blood level reading. Finally, Billie smothered him with a pillow.
All was good until Vonlee confided in her sometime boyfriend about the crime (as well as her being trans - he didn't know). He would subsequently go to the police.
Questioned, Vonlee sang, turning state’s evidence against Billie for a reduced sentence. Things got a little weird, however, with Billie getting off (but rather quickly dying of cancer) and Vonlee getting 20 to 40 years. Things got so screwed up, in fact, that the case went all the way to the Supreme Court. I’m afraid I’m not enough of a legal scholar to explain it here, unfortunately, so just Google “Burt vs. Titlow” for all the gory details.
Vonlee would end up in a men’s prison, where she was refused hormone therapy. And that resulted in major trouble with her breasts, which were then removed in a double mastectomy. She has been since transferred to a prison with some history of treating transgender prisoners, where she resides to this day.
Hard to believe, but you can find Vonlee out there on Facebook. Just look her up.
Michigan, 2000
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