Man gets life in prison for hate crime murder of trans girlfriend

A man has been sentenced to life in prison for the hate crime murder of Black transgender woman Pebbles LaDime “Dime” Doe.

In February, a jury unanimously found Daqua Ritter guilty of the murder of 24-year-old “Dime” Doe. He was accused of shooting her in August 2019 in what prosecutors described as a fit of rage sparked by news of their relationship spreading more widely.

Ritter appeared in federal court in Columbia, South Carolina, on Thursday (October 17) and was convicted on hate crime, firearms and obstruction charges. Judge Sherri Lydon said the “senselessness of the crime” warranted a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

Doe’s mother, Debra Saab, spoke during the sentencing, saying, “Every day is a struggle,” adding that Ritter “should not see the light of day.”

Lawyers are supporting Dime Doe’s family after the judge imposed a life sentence on her convicted killer, Daqua Ritter @wachtfox pic.twitter.com/oLbGx5F9pw

— Claire Foley (@clairefoleytv) October 17, 2024

FBI Supervisory Special Agent in Charge Anthony Snead said, “This case is evidence of years of hard work and our prioritization of civil rights investigations, including hate crimes, where individuals are targeted with violence because of their protected characteristics.

“We want to emphasize to these communities that the FBI is listening. We listen to you, we stand with you and we will use all the tools we have to seek justice for the victims, their families and all communities.”

‘Historical case’

After the guilty verdict, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division said, “This case is historic. This defendant is the first to be found guilty in a trial of a hate crime motivated by gender identity under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

“We want the Black trans community to know that you are seen and heard, that we stand with the LGBTQI+ community and that we will use every tool available to seek justice for the victims and their families.”

The court heard Ritter lured Doe to a secluded spot before shooting her three times in the head. He then burned the clothes he was wearing, threw away the murder weapon and lied repeatedly when questioned. The prosecution proved that the crime was committed because of Doe’s gender identity.

Family and friends said Doe would be remembered for having a “bright personality” and being the “life of the party.”

At least 27 transgender and gender-expansive people have been murdered so far this year, according to data from the Human Rights Campaign. Nearly three-quarters of those were people of color, while 48 percent were black trans women.

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