Judge Removes Separation Order Between Murder Defendants

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 10, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A judge ordered Feb. 10 that two murder defendants would no longer have to be separated while in jail.

Jolonta Little, 26, and Monte Johnson, 21, are charged with felony murder while armed in a bias-related crime, conspiracy in a bias-related crime, robbery while armed in a bias-related crime, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon in a bias related crime, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for allegedly shooting 22-year-old Deeniquia Dodds, a transgender woman, on the 200 block of Division Avenue, NE in 2016.

Defense attorney, Brandi Harden, requested for a separation order between Little and Johnson to be removed. The separation order was filed on Feb. 4, 2019.

Johnson’s attorney, Kevin Irving, along with Harden, asked for Little and Johnson to be released to a halfway house or be allowed visitors while incarcerated.

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted the request to lift the separation order. The caseload was transferred from DC Superior Court Judge Milton Lee on Dec. 31, 2019. 

Judge Dayson also denied sending Little and Johnson’s to a halfway house or allowing him to have visitors while in DC Jail.

The prosecution is expecting the trial to last for at least three weeks. Judge Dayson set a new trial date for Jan. 11, 2021.

A status hearing is scheduled to occur on June 22.