I am suggesting that another word should be used in crime reporting given the connotation in general speech.

Blue “pro-trans laws” state btw.

In crime reporting, slaying does not have any sort of positive connotation. It is just another word for murder, killing, or homocide. The article mentions the disproportionate rates that black trans women experience violence and homocide.

This is bizarre. "A gangland slaying" is a classic term. And murder, slaughter, killing, homicide, etc. all have their own positive connotations as well.

Let's not call it slaying. That has a sort of positive connotation (e.g., slayed the beast, slayed the dragon, slay queen). Let's call it brutal murder, slaughter, killing, homocide, or a similar term.

This isn't a statement on whether that particular guy was guilty.

Trans panic defense I'd wager :(

He will be found not guilty in that red state.