A murder trial is underway in DeKalb County for a man accused of killing a gay rights activist, then strangling and mutilating the corpse of his cellmate.

Donte Lamar Wyatt is facing trial in the death of Catherine Han Montoya, a member of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. The trial, held before Judge Asha Jackson, is expected to last at least a week.

Authorities have said Wyatt stabbed his estranged wife in Henry County on April 13, 2015, before breaking into Han Montoya's home on Moreland Avenue.

He allegedly raped and strangled her with a scarf.

In a separate case, he allegedly strangled his cellmate at the county jail and scraped out his eyeballs.

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Instructor Daniel Jean-Baptiste reminds students to "measure twice, cut once" while using a hand saw at the Construction Ready accelerated summer program at Westside Works in Atlanta on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. The program provides training for careers in construction and the skilled trades. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com