On February 24, 2024, a South Carolina man named Daqua Lameek Ritter became the first individual to face a federal murder trial for a hate crime based solely on gender identity. Jurors found him guilty of a hate crime in the murder of Dime Doe, a transgender woman, in 2019. This historic conviction marks the first successful federal hate crime trial focused exclusively on gender identity.
Ritter was also found guilty of using a firearm in connection with the killing and obstructing justice. His sentencing date has not been set, and he faces a maximum penalty of life imprisonment without parole.
Prosecutors argued that Ritter killed Doe due to his anger over the exposure of their secret romantic relationship in the small town of Allendale, South Carolina. Text messages obtained by the FBI revealed Ritter’s growing frustration with the public knowledge of their affair.
Without referencing specific news articles, this summary describes the historic federal hate crime conviction against Daqua Lameek Ritter for the murder of Dime Doe, a transgender woman, in South Carolina. The article discusses the significance of this landmark verdict and its implications for future legal proceedings related to hate crimes based on gender identity.
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