Man arrested in killing of transgender woman in Miami Beach sees charge changed to first-degree murder
The man accused in the beating death of a transgender woman just outside a Miami Beach ballet hall was denied bond during his first court appearance Thursday — and the charge against him was upped to first-degree murder.
Gregory Fitzgerald Gibert said very little during a brief hearing before Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer. The judge appointed a public defender to represent Gibert and set his pre-trial detention hearing date before another judge for Friday before upping the charge.
“It looks like he defiled the body by doing other things to the victim,” she said.
Glazer said a judge would likely also address a possible probation violation by Gibert, who has a lengthy criminal history and convictions for violent and non-violent crimes. Gibert attended Thursday’s hearing via video from jail.
Surveillance video near the Miami City Ballet at 2200 Liberty Ave. captured Gibert, 53, bashing the head of a transgender homeless woman named Andrea Doria Dos Passos, 37, as she slept, according to police. Her body was found early Tuesday morning by a ballet employee.
Dos Passos’ body, partially covered by a sweater, had lacerations on her face and the back of her head. Two wooden sticks were lodged in her nostrils, according to police. One exited just over her right eye. The other appeared lodged in a nose cavity. Police said the victim also suffered a puncture wound in her chest.
Police said Gibert was also seen on video surveillance placing the pipe allegedly used to kill Dos Passos in a trash bin. The pipe was retrieved by law enforcement.
What remains unclear: The connection, if any, between Dos Passos and Gibert.
And because police have not yet found a connection, Gibert has not been charged with a hate crime, which would automatically enhance any penalty if he is convicted.
Miami Beach Police
Chief Wayne Jones said the attack appeared to be random.
“At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that Andrea was targeted because of her sexuality or gender,” Jones said in written statement. “However, we understand the concerns within the LGBTQIA+ community. And I want to emphasize that MBPD is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all our community members.”