A Mississippi prosecutor is seeking to block the public from testimony into possible gang ties to the suspect in the beating death of a transgender Alabama teenager, the Biloxi Sun Herald reported today.

District Attorney Tony Lawrence, the newspaper reported, wants to deny public access to testimony linking Josh Vallum -- the suspect in the beating death of 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson -- to the Latin Kings as well as testimony that might offer insight into his relationship with Williamson.

The report continued:

"Lawrence argues the testimony is expected to be "sensitive in nature" and could possibly expose the witnesses to possible "intimidation, threats or physical harm."

"In addition, Lawrence said the release of such testimony to the public before the trial would affect the ability to find an impartial jury for Vallum's trial."

Williamson, who was from Theodore, was dating Vallum.

According to an affidavit obtained by the Sun Herald, Vallum beat Williamson to death with a hammer behind his father's home in George County, Mississipp in 2015. He later buried her body in a shallow grave on the property.

While the exact date of the murder is not known, the indictment stated that Williamson died between May 30 and June 2 of last year.

Williamson's death was nationally recognized by Caitlyn Jenner at last year's ESPY Awards.

"They're getting bullied, they're getting beaten up, they're getting murdered and they're committing suicide. The numbers that you just heard before are staggering, but they are the reality of what it is like to be trans today... Just last month, the body of 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson, a transgender young woman of color, was found in a field in Mississippi stabbed to death," she said.