Mistrial Declared in Death of Transgender Woman

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A jury failed to agree on a verdict in the murder trial of a Germantown man charged in the October 2015 homicide of a transgender female in Montgomery County. Jurors were stalemated at 10-2, in favor of convicting Rico Hector Leblond, 20, of Germantown, when a judge declared a mistrial.

According to police, Zella Ziona, 21, of Montgomery Village was shot to death in the area behind 18312 Contour Road. Ziona was found and taken to an area hospital, where she died. Leblond and Ziona were friends, prosecutors said, but Leblond reportedly shot Ziona when she flirted with him in front of male friends, WTOP reports.

Ziona was born DeAndre Smith and Leblond was embarrassed by the flirtation, prosecutors said at the trial. But defense attorneys argued that witness accounts varied considerably with other suspects suggested as the possible gunman.

Leblond is charged with first-degree murder and faced a sentence of life in prison if convicted. Prosecutors say they will re-try the case.

»Photo of Rico Leblond courtesy of Montgomery County Police