Judge Accuses Murder Defendants of Delaying Trial

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 14, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A D.C. Superior Court judge and the prosecution in a murder trial accused two defendants Feb. 13 of deliberately causing a delay in the trial. Apparently, the men refused a search by court marshals and had to be escorted back to jail.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, 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. The prosecution is trying the case as a hate crime.

According to Judge Milton Lee, Little, 28, and Johnson, 23, refused to be searched by court marshals when they entered the building. As a result, Judge Lee said both defendants were escorted back to jail and thoroughly searched for contraband.

Apparently, this is not Little’s first time refusing a search. On Feb. 4, after entering the courthouse, he was found with contraband and was sent back to DC Jail after refusing an additional search. Judge Lee said the searches are “reasonable and appropriate” to ensure the defendants don’t have contraband.

Judge Lee said he is concerned that Johnson and Little may be doing everything they can to keep the trial from moving forward.

The prosecution agreed with the judge and said they think these are delaying tactics.

However, Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, refuted the prosecution’s claim, saying the defendants refused an unauthorized cavity search.

Johnson and Little’s refusal to be searched delayed the cross-examination of Shareem Hall, 25, who is a cooperating witness in the case.

According to the prosecution, Johnson, Little and brothers Shareem and Cyheme Hall, 23, are responsible for a string of robberies targeting transgender women, which ultimately led to Dodds’ death.

Shareem is scheduled to continue his testimony on Feb. 14.