Defendant’s Ex-Girlfriend Says She Was ‘Pressured’ Into Giving A False Testimony

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 31, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

After receiving an immunity deal, a witness recanted Jan. 30 her initial story about a homicide.

Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed, conspiracy and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged involvement in the death of 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, who was also known as Gregory Dodds, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE in 2016. This case is classified as a hate crime, according to the prosecution.

During the trial, Johnson’s ex-girlfriend told a jury that he did not confess to the murder. However, the girlfriend told a grand jury that she picked Johnson up after the murder when he confessed to “accidentally” shooting Dodds. She said he didn’t know the gun was loaded and that the robbery “didn’t go how it was supposed to go.”

Noting her conflicting statements, the girlfriend said the prosecution “pressured” her to give the initial testimony. She said detectives on the case did not inform her of her rights, denied her request for a lawyer and called her “a fucking liar.” She said the prosecution told her they would “lock her up.”

However, the girlfriend’s grand jury testimony showed that she was notified of her rights and was provided with a lawyer. The girlfriends’ lawyer was present in the audience during her testimony.

In addition to Johnson and Little, brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, are also charged with Dodd’s death. The prosecution said the brothers were offered a plea deal and plan to testify against Little, 28 and Johnson, 23. As of Jan. 30, a plea agreement has not been filed on the DC Courts’ website. 

According to the prosecution’s theory, Johnson, Little and the Hall brothers were involved in a series of robberies targeting transgender women, which resulted in Dodds’ death. 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.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Jan. 31.