February 26th 2024.
After much anticipation, a verdict has finally been reached in a groundbreaking case that marks the first federal gender identity-based hate crime trial in the United States. As many may recall, this case involves the murder of a Black trans woman, known in court documents as "Dime Doe", by a man named Daqua Lameek Ritter.
As reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the jury reached a decision on February 23rd, finding Ritter guilty of a hate crime as well as obstructing justice for his use of a firearm. This case is especially significant because it is the first of its kind to go to trial, as previous cases were resolved through plea deals.
During the four-day trial, the prosecution focused on Ritter's sexual relationship with the victim, which he had been trying to keep secret. However, when their relationship was exposed, Ritter became angry and allegedly murdered Doe to prevent any further exposure. Despite attempts by the defense to argue lack of evidence, the prosecution's witnesses painted a different picture.
One witness, Kordell Jenkins, testified to seeing Ritter driving a car that Doe had previously driven and later building a fire with Ritter in which he placed a bag. Although Jenkins couldn't see the contents of the bag, he assumed it was filled with items Ritter didn't want, including clothes he had worn earlier.
Ritter's main girlfriend, Dalasia Green, also testified and claimed that Ritter acted strangely after she confronted him about the affair and asked if he had killed Doe. According to Green, Ritter "dropped his head and gave [her] a little smirk." It was also revealed that Green may have played a role in motivating Ritter to commit the murder, as she allegedly called him a homophobic slur after finding out about his relationship with Doe.
Text message exchanges between Ritter and Doe were also presented as evidence, with one dated July 29, 2019, showing Doe complaining about Ritter's lack of reciprocation and Ritter responding by saying she didn't need anything extra.
After the guilty verdict was announced, assistant U.S. attorney for the District of South Carolina, Brook Andrews, spoke to reporters outside the courthouse, stating, "This case stands as a testament to our committed effort to fight violence that is targeted against those who may identify as a member of the opposite sex, for their sexual orientation or for any other protected characteristics."
Although a sentencing date has not been announced, Ritter faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. In a press release from the Department of Justice, Assistant Attorney General Kirsten Clarke declared that this verdict is a powerful message that Black Trans Lives Matter. She continued, "The jury's verdict sends a clear message: bias-motivated violence will not be tolerated and perpetrators of hate crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Clarke also acknowledged the historic nature of this case, as Ritter is the first to be found guilty in a trial for a hate crime based on gender identity under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. She expressed support for the Black trans community and vowed to use all available resources to seek justice for victims and their families.
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