Historic Verdict: S.C. Man Sentenced to Life for Murder of Black Trans Woman

Daqua Lameek Ritter's conviction marks the first under federal hate crime law for violence against a transgender person.

Daqua Lameek Ritter was sentenced to life in prison for the 2019 murder of Dime Doe, a Black transgender woman, in South Carolina.
Ritter's conviction is the first under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act involving a murder motivated by gender identity.
The Justice Department emphasized the importance of defending civil rights and prosecuting acts of violence against the LGBTQI+ community.
The case highlights the ongoing violence faced by transgender individuals, particularly Black trans women, amidst rising anti-LGBTQ hate crimes.
Federal prosecutors demonstrated that Ritter murdered Doe due to anger over rumors about their relationship, leading to his conviction on multiple charges.