US — Port Richey, Florida. Patrick Hagan, a 6-foot-3, 280-pound martial arts expert who identifies as a woman, was using the women’s restroom at a bar in November 1997 when 40-year-old Cheryl Partsch questioned his presence as a male in the women’s restroom.
Offended by the woman’s query, the large brute pummeled her with his fist in response.
Ms Partsch lost five teeth due to the vicious punch. It was estimated that the damage would cost her as much as $60,000 in dental bills.
Mr Hagan argued that the punch was self defense, because he felt “threatened” when Ms Partsch confronted him. Ms Partsch was 10 inches shorter and 110 pounds lighter than Mr Hagan, a black belt in tae kwon do.
Several of his friends testified on his behalf. “He was just trying to protect himself,” drag show performer, Joseph “Jo Jo” Podoloski, insisted.
The defense attorney for Mr Hagan argued that he batterer should not be put in prison, as it would be an especially dangerous environment for a man like Mr Hagan, who presents in a feminine manner. Mr Hagan revealed that it was his intention to have gender-affirming cosmetic surgery.
A former septic-truck driver already on probation on a felony conviction for illegal dumping, Mr Hagan was ultimately sentenced to 2½ years in prison for the assault on Ms Partsch.
Mr Hagan’s friends denounced the six-person jury as too old and conservative to sympathize with the plight of the “transsexual community,” including Mr Hagan and his witnesses.
Ms Partsch, who was left suffering with chronic, severe headaches, expressed disappointment at the sentence.
“I think he should have to feel suffering like I have,” she said. “But it’s better than nothing. He’s guilty. I’ll take it.”
Read more from other sources
St. Petersburg Times
Cross-dressing man sentenced for battery
Patrick Hagan shuffled off to serve his 21/2-year state prison sentence wearing a black-and-pink print dress and a matching pink blouse.
Tampa Bay Times
Cross-dresser Guilty of Misdemeanor
NEW PORT RICHEY – Patrick Hagan goes by “Patty” and wears pantyhose and a skirt.
Did he go to a male or female prison? In Canada, he probably would have been sent to a female prison, despite brutalizing a woman.
Male, because this infamous incident occurred in 1997. Today, he might have been put in a women’s prison.
Men can be put in women’s prisons in the US today, depending on the state in which the crime occurred (some states, including California and New Jersey, place inmates according to whatever ‘gender identity’ the inmate declares when asked during processing).
Currently, federal crimes (crimes that cross state lines or violate national laws) will put inmates in the correct prisons, based on sex, as the last president reversed guidelines allowing inmates in federal prisons to be housed based on self-declared ‘gender’.