Former Fort Bliss soldier Anthony Michael Bowden allegedly attempted to meet a transgender woman for sex the same day as the rosary for the woman he is accused of killing, according to testimony at his murder trial.

Chyna Fierro, whose legal name is Raul Fierro, testified that Bowden messaged her on the dating application Meet Me, seeking to meet for a sexual encounter.

Bowden first messaged Fierro on Aug. 19, 2016, which is almost two weeks after he is accused of fatally stabbing Erykah Tijerina on Aug. 8, 2016, at the Rio Grande Government Apartment Complex, 212 Lisbon St. near Fox Plaza.

Bowden sent Fierro a message stating “DTF,” which is asking if a person is willing to have sex.

Fierro replied “Wow” and said that Bowden was being inappropriate, especially since she was going to rosary of a “close friend whose was murder.”

Bowden messaged back, stating, “I’m just a really horny guy.”

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Fierro then tells Bowden that she is a transgender woman. He replies that he didn’t know that, despite it being in Fierro’s profile.

Bowden then sends another message seeking to arrange a meeting with Fierro.

Fierro testified that she never met with Bowden.

Fierro, when questioned by defense lawyers, said she knew Tijerina for about 16 years and that Tijerina made most of her money from being a prostitute.

Defense lawyers have claimed throughout the trial that Tijerina would meet with men for sex and then attempt to blackmail them.

They claimed that Bowden killed Tijerina in self-defense after Tijerina allegedly attempted to blackmail him by telling Fort Bliss officials about their sexual encounter and lying that he was her pimp.

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Fierro testified that she had heard Tijerina would blackmail men if they didn’t pay, but never talked to Tijerina about it.

In a statement Fierro gave to El Paso police, Fierro stated: “I knew Erykah was blackmailing her clients. She would say she would tell their families if they didn’t pay.”

El Paso County Deputy Medical Examiner Janice Diaz testified Wednesday about the injuries Tijerina suffered.

Tijerina had 24 stab wounds, including on the left side of her arms and upper shoulder area.

More:Autopsy: Transgender woman was stabbed 24 times

Bowden is accused of stabbing Tijerina to death with a chisel.

Diaz testified that Tijerina had wounds on her hands that could be defensive wounds.

However, when questioned by defense lawyers, Diaz said that she could “not definitively” tell whether they were defensive wounds.

Dr. James Schutte, an El Paso psychologist who has testified for defense lawyers in dozens of murder cases, testified that Bowden had autism spectrum disorder and other “borderline” mental health issues.

He claimed that the disorder could have impacted Bowden’s actions.

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The trial, which began Tuesday, is being held in the 384th District Court with Judge Patrick Garcia presiding.

Bowden faces up to life in prison if convicted on one count of murder.

Testimony continued Wednesday afternoon. Closing arguments are set to begin at 8:30 a.m. Thursday.

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Aaron Martinez may be reached at 546-6249; aamartinez@elpasotimes.com; @AMartinez31 on Twitter.