The police said the attack on Nettles is being investigated as a hate crime.
Paris Wilson, 20, repeatedly punched Nettles, 21, in the face after he and a group of friends spewed slurs at the victim, cops said.
Nettles had two Facebook profiles — one identifying himself as man and using his birth name, Vaughn Nettles, and another as a woman.
Wilson was friends with Nettles’ “female profile,” the victim’s family said.
Delores Nettles said her son was walking with two transgender friends on W. 147th St. near Frederick Douglass Blvd. early on Aug. 17 when the conflict began in front of a police stationhouse.
“As Islan turned around and started arguing, (Wilson) beat him and he knocked my baby on the floor,” she said. “And he kept beating and beating and beating my baby.”
Cops said Wilson — about to enter his senior year at Buffalo State University — continued the beatdown, even after Nettles fell backward and struck his head on the pavement.
One of Nettles’ friends ran inside and alerted cops, who found the victim “unconscious on the ground with a swollen shut eye and blood on her face,” according to a criminal complaint.
Police arrested Wilson on a misdemeanor assault charge after Nettles’ friend identified him.
Nettles, who was brain-dead, was removed from life-support Thursday around the same time Wilson was being freed on just $2,000 bail.
The death was ruled a homicide Friday and charges against Wilson could be upgraded. The case is being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney’s hate-crimes unit.
At his Aug. 17 arraignment, Wilson’s public defense attorney said the suspect maintained his innocence.
The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury sometime before Wilson’s next court appearance on Oct. 4.
Nettles had two Facebook profiles — one identifying himself as man and using his birth name, Vaughn Nettles, and another as a woman.
Wilson was friends with Nettles’ “female profile,” the victim’s family said.
Delores Nettles said her son was walking with two transgender friends on W. 147th St. near Frederick Douglass Blvd. early on Aug. 17 when the conflict began in front of a police stationhouse.
“As Islan turned around and started arguing, (Wilson) beat him and he knocked my baby on the floor,” she said. “And he kept beating and beating and beating my baby.”
Cops said Wilson — about to enter his senior year at Buffalo State University — continued the beatdown, even after Nettles fell backward and struck his head on the pavement.
One of Nettles’ friends ran inside and alerted cops, who found the victim “unconscious on the ground with a swollen shut eye and blood on her face,” according to a criminal complaint.
Police arrested Wilson on a misdemeanor assault charge after Nettles’ friend identified him.
Nettles, who was brain-dead, was removed from life-support Thursday around the same time Wilson was being freed on just $2,000 bail.
The death was ruled a homicide Friday and charges against Wilson could be upgraded. The case is being investigated by the Manhattan District Attorney’s hate-crimes unit.
At his Aug. 17 arraignment, Wilson’s public defense attorney said the suspect maintained his innocence.
The case is expected to be presented to a grand jury sometime before Wilson’s next court appearance on Oct. 4.
Meanwhile, Nettles’ mom is left to plan a funeral.
“I just wish I had the opportunity to say goodbye to him. I’m never going to get that,” she said.
“I accepted him no matter what because I loved him at the end of the day ... My son was a beautiful woman.”
The heartbroken mother said Wilson should spend the rest of his life in jail.
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