A South Carolina resident was sentenced to life imprisonment by a federal court for the murder of a Black transgender woman, a case that garnered attention due to its implications for hate crimes linked to gender identity. This historic ruling took place on Thursday in Columbia, with U.S. District Judge Sherri A. Lydon presiding over the case of Daqua Lameek Ritter. He holds the distinction of being the first individual in the U.S. to be convicted of homicide motivated by gender identity bias.

In February, Ritter was found guilty of a hate crime related to the 2019 shooting death of Dime Doe. Following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs remarked on Doe’s courage and rightful expression of identity, emphasizing that no one should lose their life simply for being themselves.

Prosecutors advocated for the maximum penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, citing federal sentencing guidelines. In contrast, defense attorneys requested a sentence that would eventually allow for Ritter’s release, arguing that there was insufficient evidence to prove the murder was premeditated. They submitted letters from his family, including his mother and children, appealing for leniency.

The case revolved around the fact that Ritter shot Doe three times with a .22 caliber handgun, allegedly out of concern that their relationship would be publicly exposed in the small community of Allendale. Testimony from Doe’s close friends revealed that her transition to living openly as a woman was well-known in the area and that her new lifestyle included dressing feminine and engaging in relationships, including one with Ritter, whom she had met during his summer visits from New York.

Further investigation uncovered text messages indicating that Ritter wanted to maintain secrecy about their affair, urging Doe to erase their conversations. He also claimed that his girlfriend at the time, Delasia Green, had used a homophobic slur upon discovering their relationship, which may have contributed to his resentment and subsequent actions.

Ritter’s defense pointed to a limited selection of messages they submitted as evidence, mentioning instances where Doe showed support for Ritter. During the trial, Ritter attempted to deny being with Doe prior to her death. However, body camera footage captured him in proximity to the crime scene shortly before Doe was discovered deceased in her vehicle.

Despite the lack of physical evidence linking Ritter to the crime and the absence of processed gunshot residue tests, the relationship between Ritter and Doe was cited as key in establishing motive, according to the prosecution. Additionally, another individual involved in the case, Xavier Pinckney, received a sentence of three years and nine months earlier this year for providing false information to investigators regarding Doe’s death.

Although hate crimes based on gender identity have been prosecuted in federal courts before, few cases have progressed to the trial phase. A notable prior instance involved a Mississippi man who accepted a plea deal in exchange for a 49-year prison sentence related to the killing of a transgender teenager.