Defendant ‘Confessed’ to Murder, Prosecution Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 26, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said Feb. 26 that a defendant “confessed” to the murder of a transgender woman.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged involvement in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Street, NE in 2016. Brothers Cyheme and Shareem Hall are also charged with the murder.

The prosecution told the jury that Johnson, 23, confessed to his girlfriend that he is responsible for Dodds’ death.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said there is no evidence that his client was involved.

Both Cyheme, 23, and Shareem, 25, testified that Johnson shot Dodds and that Little, 28, was the getaway driver. According to the prosecution, the brothers entered plea agreements in exchange for their testimony. A plea has not been filed as of Feb. 26.

Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, told the jury that her client knew nothing about the robberies or Dodds’ murder. Harden said that even though Little’s GPS monitor placed him at the scene, it doesn’t mean he was involved.

But, the prosecution said Little knew what was going on and wanted to be a part of it.

During the hearing, the defense also sought to discredit the brothers’ testimonies by saying they both previously admitted to lying to law enforcement. The defense said the brothers are only cooperating in exchange for a lighter sentence. A sentencing date has not been scheduled for the brothers. 

The prosecution refuted the defense’s claim and said the Hall brothers came forward, accepted responsibility and admitted to being involved in the robberies.

The jury began deliberating on Feb. 26.