Akhenaton Jones Convicted in Dominique Fells Murder

Akhenaton Jones was convicted of first-degree murder for the 2020 killing of Dominique Rem’mie Fells, a 27-year-old transgender woman in Philadelphia. Fells was stabbed over 40 times, dismembered, and her remains were found in the Schuylkill River. Forensic evidence, including Jones' DNA on the murder weapon, a hazmat suit, and an electric saw, linked him to the crime, as did surveillance footage showing him transporting Fells’ remains. The case experienced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the first trial ending in a mistrial and a second resulting in a guilty verdict on all charges. While prosecutors called the murder exceptionally hateful, Pennsylvania law does not permit hate crime charges for gender identity or sexual orientation. Fells' family thanked the court for justice and emphasized the ongoing pain of her loss.