A landmark federal trial concluded in South Carolina on Friday with Daqua Lameek Ritter being convicted of a hate crime for the murder of Dime Doe in 2019. The jury deliberated for approximately four hours before finding Ritter guilty of using a firearm in connection with the fatal shooting and obstructing justice. Ritter now faces a maximum of life imprisonment without parole, though a sentencing date has not yet been set.

The case marked the nation's first federal trial over a hate crime rooted in gender identity. Brook Andrews, an assistant US attorney for the district of South Carolina, emphasized the significance of combatting violence targeted at individuals based on characteristics like gender identity and sexual orientation following the verdict.

During the four-day trial, testimony revealed the secret sexual relationship between Ritter and Doe in the small town of Allendale, leading to a tragic outcome. Prosecutors argued that Ritter shot Doe three times with a.22 caliber handgun to prevent their affair from being exposed further. The prosecution cited witness testimonies, text messages obtained by the FBI, and police evidence, including body camera footage, linking Ritter to the crime scene.

Despite the defense's assertions of lack of physical evidence and questioning the credibility of witnesses, Ritter's behavior post-incident raised suspicions among acquaintances. Witnesses testified to seeing Ritter acting strangely, disposing of items, and making unusual requests. The trial also shed light on attempts to monitor the fallout from the killing, as depicted in Facebook messages exchanged between Ritter and his friend Xavier Pinckney.

The trial's conclusion serves as a legal precedent for addressing hate crimes based on gender identity at the federal level. The tragedy of Dime Doe's death underscores the ongoing need to combat violence against marginalized communities, as justice is sought for the victims and accountability is upheld for the perpetrators.