The extraordinary life and death of David Burgess

[Anonymous]

A beautiful article, sensitively written and a truly sad loss. I remember the case but do not recall the outcome. Does anyone know what happened to the case?

[Anonymous]

The accused, Nina Kanagasingham, has been charged with murder and is being held in custody pending her next appearance on 11 February where she will be able to enter a plea to the charge:
http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/nov/david-burgess-tube-death-%E2%80%93-nina-kanagasingham-appears-old-bailey

A very sad tale and it will be interesting to know what is the rest of the story (assuming all is revealed). Nice to see the media use approprriate pronouns, and generally, not play up the transgender aspects of the case in a sensationalist (Jerry Springer-ish) manner.

Quote:

David Burgess tube death – Nina Kanagasingham appears at Old Bailey

Published: 4th November, 2010
by DAVID ST GEORGE

A WOMAN alleged to have pushed a cross-dressing human rights lawyer into the path of a Tube train has made a brief appearance at the Old Bailey.

Father-of-three David Burgess, 63, a Canadian-born solicitor well known in legal circles, died last Monday after the incident at King’s Cross station.

Mr Burgess, who lived off Dean Street in Soho, worked for Luqmani Thompson and Partners in Wood Green. He specialised in assisting asylum seekers and victims of torture.

As an escort he used the name “Sonia” and said he was looking for paid meetings with men.

Sri Lankan Nina Kanagasingham, 34, of Chichele Road, Cricklewood, who is awaiting a sex change, appeared before Judge Timothy Pontius to confirm her identity and her wish to be referred to as a female.

She was remanded in custody and will be asked to enter a plea to a murder charge at her next appearance on February 11 next year.

Prosecutor Sarah Counsell revealed that 12 members of the public were “significant witnesses” to the inci­dent on the Piccadilly line platform at 6.30pm.

Several travellers thought that when the victim went under a train it was “a joke which went wrong”, said Miss Counsell.

The death of Mr Burgess had “a great impact on members of the public at the station and the driver involved”. Miss Kanagasingham was detained at the scene but made no comment to police.

The prosecution said they had “limited know­ledge” of the back­ground but had established that the two people concerned had known each other for a year. They met up shortly before the incident and were involved in an argument.

Psychiatrists are to interview the accused and a decision will be made at a later date as to whether she should be granted bail, the court heard.

[Anonymous]

From a quick google search on the net, It appears the sensitivity employed in this article is very much the exception rather than the rule. Incidentally the Guardian has a branch on it’s website dealing with transgender issues:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/transgender

[Anonymous]

I felt very moved by this article. It is written honestly and sensitively and without any hint of sensationalism. A tribute to a wonderful trans-woman. And though the detail is light there is enough there to indicate the similarity with many of our stories. The struggles and the eventual emergence of our true selves, regardless of the background.

It is tragic that Sonia was murdered but at least she lived her later life as she wanted to. Her friends speak of her courage at not always passing but doing it anyway and doing it proud. But the photos show a beautiful woman and that I’m sure is how she will be remembered because it seems that was when she was happiest.

Thank you for posting that link.

Best wishes
Roisin x.