UPDATE: The murder trial for Carlton Champion Jr. begins Tuesday. Champion is accused in the shooting death of Ty Underwood.
Champion is represented by Melvin Thompson. The case will be heard in Judge Christi Kennedy's court.
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21-year-old Carlton Ray Champion Jr. is now being held in the Smith County jail on a $1 million bond .Champion is accused of killing a transgender woman in Tyler earlier this year was transported from Gregg County to Smith County Wednesday.
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A state judge revoked probation Thursday morning for a Longview man accused of killing a transgender woman in Tyler this past January.
Carlton Champion Jr. was serving the first of four years' probation for unauthorized use of a vehicle in Gregg County. However, 124th District Judge Alfonso Charles revoked Champion's probation, and sentenced him to six months' incarceration. Prosecutors asked for the revocation, after champion was arrested on the Smith County murder charge.
Carlton testified this morning to six probation violations, including not paying his probation fees or performing community work service.
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A Texas College football player is in jail, accused of murdering transgender woman Ty Underwood last month. Investigators say Carlton Champion Jr. and Underwood were dating.
This was the scene last month when Ty Underwood was found dead in her car.
Police believe Texas College student Carlton Champion Jr. shot her, right near the college.
“We have electronic evidence that they were texting back and forth, communicating that they were going to meet up,” Tyler Police Officer Don Martin said.
During the investigation, officers learned Champion was expecting sexual favors from Underwood that morning and found out she was transgender.
“It was probably more of dating relationship and it appeared to be a short duration, this isn't something that's been going on for a long time,” Martin said.
On January 29th, Champion was arrested for a probation violation out of Gregg County. Monday, officers added a first degree murder charge. Members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities are glad someone is behind bars tonight.
“The transgender community as with the other LGTBQ communities is subjected to violent crimes and it's important that this was investigated thoroughly and I'm glad someone has been arrested,” President of the Longview PFLAG chapter, Vik Verma said.
Tyler police officers feel the same way.
“We're thankful that we found the person responsible and the investigation is still ongoing and continues and now it will be more in the DA's hand now that we have a warrant,” Martin said.
Champion is in the Gregg County jail being held on a one million dollar bond. Champion will eventually be brought back to Smith County for this case. The investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney who will then present it to a grand jury.
Police have ruled out the possibility that Underwood's killing was a hate crime because she and champion were in a relationship.
