Man charged in homicide of Milwaukee transgender woman pleads not guilty by mental disease or defect

NEENAH, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Neenah man charged in the homicide of a 31-year-old transgender woman entered a plea of not guilty by mental disease or defect inside of a Milwaukee County courtroom June 15. 

Cordell Howze, 33, is facing a first-degree reckless homicide charge and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection to the death of Cashay Henderson. 

Henderson's body was found at the scene of an apartment fire near 29th and Villard on Feb. 26. The fire was determined to be caused by arson, and an autopsy later revealed Henderson died of multiple gunshot wounds. 

According to a criminal complaint, police spoke with a woman who stated that Howze told her he had "popped" a [expletive] in Milwaukee.

Records show the court found Howze does not lack substantial capacity to understand court proceedings or to assist in his own defense during a competency hearing in May. Howze pleaded not guilty and was bound over for trial at that time.

On Thursday, the court authorized two psychological evaluations that were separately requested by Howze's defense attorney and the prosecution.

Howze's plea comes one day after what would have been Henderson's 32nd birthday. Her family joined activists with COMMUNITYX and Diverse and Resilient Wednesday, June 14, to demand the state's justice system take Henderson's case seriously.

Henderson is the third trans woman to be killed in Milwaukee in the past nine months.

Howze's next court date is scheduled for July 14 at 8:30 a.m., when the judge will review the doctors' reports.