A Defendant Targeted Another Transgender Woman Before Murder, Prosecution Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 4, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a murder trial, the prosecution sought to prove that a murder defendant previously targeted a transgender woman. The woman in question took the stand Feb. 4.

Jalonte Little and Monte Johnson are charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed and conspiracy, among other felonies, for their alleged role in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. According to the prosecution, Dodds’ death is being treated as a hate crime.

The woman, who works as a prostitute, told the jury that nearly a week prior to Dodds’ murder, she was walking home after work when Little assaulted her. Apparently, Little, 28, got out of the car and told her he would give her money in exchange for sex, but she declined.

The witness said Little went to his car, pulled out a gun, pointed it at her and told her to strip.

The witness said she was able to identify Little because she previously saw him in his white car. She also said Little gave her a ride home a few weeks prior to the incident.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Johnson, Little along with brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, were involved in a series of robberies targeting transgender women. The prosecution said Little was the driver and that Johnson and the Hall brothers committed the robberies. Apparently, during Dodds’ robbery, there was a struggle and Johnson shot Dodds in the neck while the brothers stole her purse.

During cross-examination, Defense attorney Brandi Harden said her client, Little, was not charged in the assault of the witness. Harden pointed out that the witness gave inconsistent accounts of the night Little pointed a gun at her. Apparently, the witness told a grand jury that her assaulter let her put her shirt back on and that he never got out of the car. Harden also said the witness gave varying accounts of the car ride home.

Following the witness’s testimony, the defense requested a mistrial, saying the witness and prosecution failed to exclude the word “robbery” from their testimony and line of questioning after the judge directed them to do so. According to Harden, referring to the event as a robbery creates prejudice against her client due to the nature of Dodds’ death.

However, the prosecution said the jury is unlikely to remember the instances where the assault was called a “robbery” because of the extensive amount of evidence in the case as well as the length of the case.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Milton Lee said he plans to address the motion when the trial resumes on Jan. 5.

In addition to Johnson and Little, the Hall brothers are also charged with Dodds’ death. The prosecution said the brothers were offered a plea deal and plan to testify against Little and Johnson, 23. As of Feb. 4, a plea had not been filed.