Transgender Woman Was ‘Fighting for Her Life,’ Prosecution Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 22, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a transgender woman was “fighting for her life,” when she was shot and killed during a robbery.

Co-defendants Monte Johnson and Jalonte Little are charged with felony murder while armed and robbery while armed, among other offenses, for their alleged roles 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 in Dodds’ murder. 

The prosecution told the jury Feb. 21 that four men are responsible for Dodds’ death. He said Johnson, 23, committed the murder, and Little, 28, helped. Apparently, brothers Cyheme, 23, and Shareem, 25, also participated.

According to the prosecution, the brothers entered into plea agreements in exchange for their testimonies.

According to the brothers, Johnson was the shooter and Little was the getaway driver. The brothers admitted to participating in the robberies, but denied hitting or shooting anyone. 

Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, sought to discredit the brothers’ testimonies, saying they previously admitted to lying and constantly changed their stories. Irving said the brothers are only cooperating for a lighter sentence and that the information they provided may not have been the truth.

Irving also said the prosecution lacked physical evidence such as fingerprints or video footage. He said Johnson cannot be placed at the scene and, aside from the brothers, none of the witnesses could identify him as being one of the assailants.

The defense is scheduled to continue their closing arguments on Feb. 25.