COLUMBIA, S.C. — After several hours of deliberation, a jury found DaQua Ritter guilty on all three counts in the landmark federal hate crime trial for gender-identity-based murder. What makes this trial historic is it is the first to where the defendant is found to be guilty by trial verdict for a hate crime motivated by gender under the Matthew Shephard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, passed in 2009. This was a federal case tried in a federal court in South Carolina. As of yet, South Carolina does not have a hate crimes law.
Ritter had been charged with killing LaDime Doe, a transgender woman in Allendale on August 4, 2019.
Ritter was charged with a hate crime for the murder of Doe because of her gender identity, using a firearm in connection with a hate crime, and obstruction of justice. With the guilty verdict, Ritter could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine Ritter's sentence at a later date after considering the US Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Friday, the final day of the court case, started with the prosecution resting their case Friday morning around 10 a.m. following testimony from an FBI New York field office special agent, who testified they arrested Ritter on Jan. 30, 2023.
The prosecution played multiple recordings in which the FBI asked questions about Ritter's interactions with Doe on the day of the murder. The special agent testified Ritter's story changed several times regarding the last time he saw Doe.
During cross-examination, the defense questioned if he cooperated with all their requests, to which she responded, "Yes."
Following the prosecution's close, the defense didn't put up any witnesses and rested their case.
After some legal discussions, closing arguments began.
The prosecution continued to stand by law enforcement and Allendale community members' testimony and laid out the timeline of Ritter's movements on the day of the murder.
The prosecution laid out all of the evidence from the timeline of August 4, stressing Ritter was spotted at 2:40 p.m. and was then in the car with Doe when she was pulled over at 3:04 p.m. and issued a speeding ticket. At 3:22 p.m., Doe texted her mom about the speeding ticket. Then, at 3:55 p.m., Doe searched her phone to see how many points go on the license.
The prosecution said between 3:55 p.m. and 4:40 p.m., no texts or calls were made, making it the "murder window." At 4:40 p.m., Ritter allegedly texted Xavier Pinckney off Dime's phone. Then, at 4:41 p.m., Pinckney called Dime's phone.
The prosecution said Ritter walked half a mile to his uncle's house, where a witness testified he came to the home and was rushed, adding his uncle drove him to the store.
At 6:05 p.m., Doe's body was discovered.
The defense argued that Ritter didn't kill Doe, that testimony from those in the community was confusing, and that the jury should question all of the testimony they heard.
The jury began deliberations Friday afternoon, rendering a guilty verdict Friday evening.
FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Columbia Field Office Steve Jensen said of the verdict, “Justice has prevailed in this case. This guilty verdict underscores the importance of upholding the rights and dignity of all individuals. This outcome will never completely erase the pain Doe’s family faces, but it is our hope that it brings a measure of closure to this tragic and heinous crime.”
The FBI Columbia Field Office investigated the case, with the assistance of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Allendale County Sheriff’s Office, and Allendale Police Department.