Jurors on Wednesday convicted an East Bay man of murder in the 2021 death of a South Bay drag artist and trans woman who was beloved in the local LGBTQ+ community, authorities said.
Elijah Cruz Segura, 25, of Union City, was found guilty of second-degree murder in a San Jose courtroom of killing 24-year-old Natalia Smüt inside a Milpitas home the morning of April 23, 2021, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office.
The jury also affirmed a charging enhancement against Segura for using a knife. He faces a maximum punishment of 16 years to life in prison when he is sentenced, which is tentatively scheduled for January.
“I hope this makes clear that our officer feels strongly about fighting for the rights of transgender victims and members of the LGBTQ+ community,” prosecutor Rebekah Wise said Wednesday. “We wanted to do justice for her and the life that she led.”