Scott Weinberger

It was the prosecutor's contention that Nikki's murder was at least partly motivated by her identity as a trans woman, news that invoked pain and outrage from Nikki's family, her friends, and throughout the community.

It was the prosecutor's contention that Nikki's murder was at least partly motivated by her identity as a trans woman, news that invoked pain and outrage from Nikki's family, her friends, and throughout the community.

Despite Bogdanov's own admission of being with Nikki on the night she disappeared, as well as his own stated anger over learning that she was a trans female, the case against him was still based largely on circumstantial evidence.

Despite Bogdanov's own admission of being with Nikki on the night she disappeared, as well as his own stated anger over learning that she was a trans female, the case against him was still based largely on circumstantial evidence.

One way was to figure out where he had been during those several weeks immediately following her disappearance. A job once again tasked with the Digital Forensics Crimes Unit.

One way was to figure out where he had been during those several weeks immediately following her disappearance. A job once again tasked with the Digital Forensics Crimes Unit.

But again, there's still no physical evidence that ties him directly to the crime.

But again, there's still no physical evidence that ties him directly to the crime.

About a month before the trial, the defendant's lawyers disclosed that Bogdanov would be claiming he indeed was responsible for Nikki's death, but that he had merely acted in self-defense.

About a month before the trial, the defendant's lawyers disclosed that Bogdanov would be claiming he indeed was responsible for Nikki's death, but that he had merely acted in self-defense.

Trials are unpredictable, especially when a panic defense could be introduced. That may be some of the reasons why, and I see that these plea deals find themselves involved in the case, because even if the sentence is left severe, that what may result from a trial, for prosecutors, a lesser conviction may seem like a better certainty than the uncertainty of what this kind of defense could bring.

Trials are unpredictable, especially when a panic defense could be introduced. That may be some of the reasons why, and I see that these plea deals find themselves involved in the case, because even if the sentence is left severe, that what may result from a trial, for prosecutors, a lesser conviction may seem like a better certainty than the uncertainty of what this kind of defense could bring.

And doing part of the public outcry, really just with Nikki's murder, Washington state actually banned this gay panic defense from being used shortly before beginning this trial.

And doing part of the public outcry, really just with Nikki's murder, Washington state actually banned this gay panic defense from being used shortly before beginning this trial.

Bogdanov's trial began in September of 2021, and it was clear from the beginning that pursuing justice for Nikki would not be a quiet event.

Bogdanov's trial began in September of 2021, and it was clear from the beginning that pursuing justice for Nikki would not be a quiet event.

The COVID pandemic meant the courtroom would be mostly empty, but cameras guaranteed that the trial would be broadcast around the country.

The COVID pandemic meant the courtroom would be mostly empty, but cameras guaranteed that the trial would be broadcast around the country.

Bogdanov's self-defense claim meant he needed to convince the jury that Nikki posed such a grave threat to him that killing her was justified. The entire trial and his freedom were riding on it.

Bogdanov's self-defense claim meant he needed to convince the jury that Nikki posed such a grave threat to him that killing her was justified. The entire trial and his freedom were riding on it.