Trans Woman Killed in SF Hit-and-Run: Self-Defense Claim

0:00It's April 17th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is California News Today, local news powered by AI. A 74-year-old transgender woman named Danielle Spillman was killed in a hit-and-run in San Francisco's South of Market Area this week. The driver, 30-year-old Valentino Amil, faces murder and felony hit-and-run charges after allegedly striking her with his black Mercedes sedan. Outside a car wash on Mission Street, just after 3.20 p.m. on Monday, prosecutors saved video footage shows it was an intentional act following a brief exchange between them. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins called it a tragic killing with no reason, vowing to hold the suspect accountable. Friends and the transgender community are mourning Spillman deeply, describing her as a kind, giving elder who volunteered at a local guitar shop, and through parties for those she cared about. They dispute claims she was aggressive or homeless, insisting she pulls no real threat. The defense argues Amil fear for his life during what they call an aggressive encounter,

1:03claiming self-defense as he accelerated away with his, family in the car headed to Disneyland. As memorials pop up and a larger vigil gets planned for next week, the case heads to court, spotlighting tensions around street interactions and accountability in the city.