Transgender Woman’s Death Was a Hate Crime, Prosecution says

By D.C. Witness Staff - January 29, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During opening arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution sought to prove two defendants were involved in a string of robberies that targeted transgender women, ultimately killing one of them. But, the defense said, “things aren’t always as they seem.”

Jalonte Little and Monte Johnson are charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed and conspiracy, among other felonies, 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. According to the prosecution, Dodds death is being treated as a hate crime.

Brothers Shareem Hall, 25, and Cyheme Hall, 23, are also charged with Dodds’ death. The prosecution said the brothers entered into a plea agreement and plan to testify against Little and Johnson.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Little, 28, acted as the driver while Johnson, 23, and the Hall brothers assaulted and robbed transgender women and other individuals who were near them. Apparently, Dodds was on her way home when the trio approached her. The prosecution said Johnson held Dodds at gunpoint and ultimately shot her in the neck while the brothers stole her purse.

The prosecution also said Little tried to obstruct justice because they intercepted a letter from DC Jail that directed an unknown individual to “silence” government witnesses that “said too much.” They also say that Johnson confessed to his girlfriend the day after the murder.

On the other hand, Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Irving, said his client was not present at the murder and that the brothers were making him a “scapegoat.” According to Irving, the brothers told the police multiple stories of the murder.

“This case is exactly about Shareem and Cyheme Hall,” Irving said. “Two brothers with an incentive to take the blame off themselves.”

Little’s defense attorney, Brandi Harden, conceded that her client was wearing a GPS tracking monitor that placed him near the crime scene. However, she noted that the GPS device doesn’t inform anyone what her client agreed to or what he knew.

Harden also sought to discredit Shareem, saying that he was previously arrested and charged in an unrelated armed home invasion case. Harden also said Cyheme couldn’t be trusted and noted that, at the time of the murder, he was a fugitive in Maryland and Virginia.

The trial is scheduled to continue on Jan. 29.