In a landmark federal hate crime trial, a South Carolina man was found guilty on Friday (Feb. 23) of the murder of a Black transgender woman, marking a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for marginalized communities.
According to the Associated Press, jurors deliberated for approximately four hours before reaching a verdict, convicting Daqua Lameek Ritter for the 2019 killing of Dime Doe.
Prosecutors alleged that Ritter fatally shot his clandestine lover three times in the head with a .22 caliber handgun in a bid to keep their relationship hidden. The verdict found Ritter guilty of not only murder but also of committing a hate crime, obstructing justice, and using a firearm to carry out the crime. With these convictions, Ritter now faces a potential life sentence without parole, pending a sentencing date.
Throughout the four-day trial, the focus remained on the secretive relationship between Doe and Ritter. Prosecutors presented evidence, including text messages and witness testimonies, painting a picture of Ritter’s escalating rage as rumors of their affair spread through the small town of Allendale, which boasts a population of 7,579.
Ben Garner, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Carolina, emphasized the motive behind the crime, stating to Wis News 10, “He killed her to silence her.”
Similarly, Brook Andrews, who holds the same judicial position, highlighted the significance of the case in the broader context of combating violence targeted at individuals based on their gender identity or other protected characteristics, 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.”
While this trial represents a historic milestone in federal hate crime prosecution, it is not the first instance where such crimes have been pursued by federal officials. In a prior case, a Mississippi man was convicted after confessing to the murder of a 17-year-old transgender woman in 2017. He accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 49 years in prison.
Ritter’s defense during the trial was undermined by conflicting statements. He claimed not to have seen Dime Doe on the day she was found dead, yet police body camera footage presented a different narrative.
Video evidence from a mid-afternoon traffic stop depicted Doe in the passenger seat, with a tattoo on the left wrist matching Ritter’s. Later, her lifeless body was discovered in the same vehicle parked in a driveway, casting doubt on Ritter’s assertions.
