DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas County jury convicted a transgender woman of manslaughter after rejecting a claim of self-defense in the fatal shooting of a man during a fight at a Bishop Arts District apartment complex.
On June 22, 2026, a jury found 33-year-old Devin Lee Paxton guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of 27-year-old Bennie Singleton. Paxton was originally charged with murder, but the case ultimately resulted in a manslaughter conviction.
Judge Stephanie Huff later sentenced Paxton to 10 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and entered an affirmative deadly weapon finding.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tyler Mayer and Maxim Ternosky, with assistance from District Attorney investigators Mindy Fancher and Zachary Johnston, Paralegal Pamela Betts and Victim Advocate Sandra Walker. The Dallas Police Department investigated the case.
According to prosecutors, the shooting occurred on Jan. 30, 2025, at an apartment complex in the 400 block of South Beckley Avenue near the Bishop Arts District.
Investigators said Paxton was visiting a friend's apartment when Singleton began assaulting her. The altercation lasted approximately 10 to 15 minutes and eventually spilled into the hallway of the apartment building.
A neighbor's Ring doorbell camera captured much of the confrontation.
According to the police investigation, the video showed Paxton placing Singleton in a headlock while Singleton repeatedly struck her in the torso with closed fists as the two struggled.
During the fight, prosecutors said Paxton, who is prohibited from possessing firearms because of a prior felony conviction, reached into her purse, retrieved a handgun and opened fire.
Evidence presented at trial showed Paxton fired five rounds, including continuing to shoot after Singleton fled back into the apartment. The fatal bullet struck Singleton in the back.
Before trial concluded, Paxton requested permission to represent herself during a hearing and testified that she believed Singleton was attempting to rob her.
Defense attorneys argued the shooting was justified as self-defense.
After considering the evidence, jurors rejected the self-defense claim and found Paxton guilty of the lesser-included offense of manslaughter rather than murder.
Paxton elected to have Judge Stephanie Huff determine her punishment instead of the jury.
Judge Huff sentenced Paxton to 10 years in prison and entered an affirmative deadly weapon finding, which affects parole eligibility under Texas law.
