CA - Sonia Dawes, 11, stabbed to death, Laguna Niguel, 21 Sept 2005

An 11-year-old girl was found dead by her grandmother in a Laguna Niguel condominium early Wednesday, and her uncle, who was living with the family, was booked on suspicion of murder, authorities said.

The man, identified as 26-year-old William Orren Dawes, was booked for murder, Amormino said.
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/5001135/detail.html

THis is where I live and of course the whole town is just so upset by this tragedy.

JBean said:

THis is where I live and of course the whole town is just so upset by this tragedy.

Click to expand...

Any rumors as to why he killed her? I have a guess, but just wondered what rumor says.

I would imagine that this is a sexual abuse crime but without further knowledge....it is just a guess.

mysteriew said:

Any rumors as to why he killed her? I have a guess, but just wondered what rumor says.

Click to expand...

No rumors yet, but I will let you know what I hear. It's not very far from where that 16 year old boy killed the older woman last year with a hammer while she slept .

Inmate Name:

Dawes, William Orren

Booking Number:

2277159

Date of Birth:

04-17-1979

Sex: Male

Race: White

Height: 5' 08

Weight: 150 lbs.

Hair Color: Blond

Eye Color: Blue

Occupation:

UNEMP

Next Appearance Date:

09-22-2005

Next Appearance Court:

HARBOR JUSTICE CENTER SOUTH

Housing Location:

Intake Release Center (Men)

Custody Status:

In Custody

Bail Amount:

Ineligible

Arrested on:

09-21-2005 at 05:09

The girl's uncle, who was living with the family, was arrested on suspicion of murder after the girl died later Wednesday at a hospital, authorities said.

The girl's uncle, who was living with the family, was arrested on suspicion of murder after the girl died later Wednesday at a hospital, authorities said.

"We don't know the motive," Amormino said. "We're looking at all aspects."

Authorities withheld the name of the dead girl and did not immediately say how she was killed. NBC4's Robert Kovacik reported that she had been stabbed. http://www.nbc4.tv/news/5001135/detail.html

Apparently the little girl adored the uncle. he had recently been released from jail for assault with a deadly weapon and some drug charges. The mother (who also has some petty drug arrests)was unstable and both the mother and uncle drifted in and out of her life. Her main support came from her grandmother.

The knife was actually found on him. Still no idea why he killed her.

>>Sheriff's officials said they had no motive for the killing and few details were available about what happened inside the condo leading up to Sonia's death.

William Dawes, who has a criminal record for assault with a deadly weapon and receiving stolen property, was sentenced June 17 to 90 days in jail for possession of drugs, Orange County Superior Court records show. He was released from jail recently and was staying with his mother, Sonia's grandma.

Birth records show that Sonia's mother is Lauren Michelle Dawes, 26. Court records show that Lauren Dawes has a record of petty theft and drug possession and has served several jail terms, along with a 16-month prison term. She was sentenced to 120 days in jail on June 12 for possession of drugs with intent to sell.

Some neighbors said they knew Sonia lived with some sort of family turmoil. They knew Sonia's mother would pop in and out, and they'd see her uncle sporadically. They would also hear loud arguments coming from their home.

"We'd hear screaming from the house," said Michelle McCoy, who lives a few units away. "We didn't know whether it was the girl being violent or if it was the grandmother instigating it. It went on for an hour. We called the cops. We knew she was young and thought she could be in danger<<

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_685526.php

A man with a history of drug abuse and violent behavior was in custody Thursday on suspicion of stabbing to death his 11-year-old niece in her bed, authorities say.

An autopsy was completed Wednesday afternoon, but at the request of homicide investigators, the cause of death was not made public.
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/5006620/detail.html

Friday, September 23, 2005
Plea postponed for man charged with killing niece

William Dawes reportedly argued with his sister before allegedly stabbing Sonia Gabrila Mandujano-Dawes, 11, more than a dozen times


Friday, September 23, 2005
Plea postponed for man charged with killing niece
William Dawes reportedly argued with his sister before allegedly stabbing Sonia Gabrila Mandujano-Dawes, 11, more than a dozen times

SANTA ANA – A man accused of fatally stabbing his niece as she was in her bed may have been angry at the girl's mother, a spokesman for prosecutors said today.

William Orren Dawes, 26, who made his first court appearance in Santa Ana, had his arraignment on charges of murder and personal use of a deadly weapon postponed until Oct. 7.

He is accused of stabbing 11-year-old Sonia Gabrila Mandujano-Dawes numerous times in the chest.

The coroner said Gabriela was stabbed more than 25 times, while prosecutors said it was more than a dozen times.

A witness said Dawes was high on methamphetamine hours before his niece was killed.

http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/homepage/abox/article_687223.php

This case is so sad. Why do people mess with drugs!? :furious:

That poor little girl. Killed by someone she put on a pedestal.

fran

A man accused of fatally stabbing his niece as she was in her bed may have been angry at the girl's mother, a spokesman for prosecutors said Friday.

William Orren Dawes, 26, who made his first court appearance in Santa Ana, had his arraignment on charges of murder and personal use of a deadly weapon postponed until Oct. 7.

Deputy District Attorney Howard Gundy said Dawes could face a sentence of 50 years to life in prison if convicted.

The circumstances of the crime do not qualify Dawes for the death penalty, "although the crime in this case is as heinous as any we've seen in a death penalty case," Gundy said.
http://www.nbc4.tv/news/5013526/detail.html

Filed 2/25/10 P. v. Dawes CA4/3

THE PEOPLE,
Plaintiff and Respondent,
v.
WILLIAM ORREN DAWES,
Defendant and Appellant.

Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court of Orange County, William
R. Froeberg, Judge. Affirmed.

snip

A jury found defendant William Orren Dawes guilty of murder in the first degree and found it to be true he personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon within the meaning of Penal Code section 12022, subdivision (b)(1). (All further statutory references are to the Penal Code.) The jury also found defendant to be legally sane at the time he committed the murder. The court sentenced him to 26 years to life in prison.

Appeal denied. Just copying out original sentencing information. Entire appeal at link:
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/opinions/nonpub/G041340.PDF