Murder Suspect Appears in Court

The sailor accused of stabbing a transgender woman to death appeared before a Jackson County judge this morning.
Detective Leo Allen took the stand detailing what investigators determined to happen between 20-year-old Dwanya Hickerson and 25-year-old Dee Whigham in the St. Martin hotel on July 23rd.
Allen says autopsy results determined Whigham was stabbed 119 times and there were three slash wounds to her throat.
Allen says Best Western surveillance video shows the suspect, Dwanya Hickerson, and Whigham walking into the hotel room together. Twenty-three minutes later, Hickerson is shown leaving the room carrying items from inside such as a Coach bag.
The knife authorities believe Hickerson used was found on a Biloxi beach days later.
Evidence will now be presented to a grand jury.