Trials & Sentencings for March, 2024

[Niner]

For Friday, March 1st -

*Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 9am CET) – Germany/Portugal - Hazel Behan (20 @ time/now 40) (in her home, June 16, 2004, Praia de Rocha on the Algarve coast, 10 miles from Praia de Luz, Portimao, Portugal) - *Christian Stefan Brückner (Bruekner) (27 @ time of 1st crime (2004)/45/now 47) charged (Oct. 11, 2022) with sexual assault (suspect held a knife & brutally raped her. The accused then tied & gagged the woman to a table & raped her again. He then whipped the victim on the back with a whip he had brought with him & finally forcibly performed oral sex with the victim. The accused filmed large parts of the events with a video camera he had brought with him).
Germany/Portugal – *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - a 14 year old teenager (assaulted/hit the naked girl with a whip. Said to have brutally forced the girl to have oral sex. The accused also videotaped this act). Took place between Dec. 28, 2000 to April 8, 2006 on the Praia da Luz, Algarve coast, Portugal.
Germany/Portugal - *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - an elderly woman 70-80 yrs old a Tour Rep (tied up & raped the victim in her holiday apt. He then hit the victim several times with a whip. The accused is said to have recorded the entire event with a video camera). Took place around the same time (between Dec. 28, 2000 to April 8, 2006) on the Praia de Luz, Algarve coast, Portugal.
Germany/Portugal – *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - 10 year old German girl (Joana E.) (wearing only shoes & otherwise naked. He grabbed the child's wrist & began to perform masturbation movements on his naked penis). On Salema (Zalema) beach, near Praia de Luz, Portugal, April 7, 2007).
Germany/Portugal – *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - 11 year old Portuguese girl (pulled down his trousers & underpants & made masturbation movements on his naked penis in order to sexually arouse himself, until the frightened girl ran to her father for help. The suspect was arrested on the spot by the Portuguese police). Exposed himself in playpark, São Bartolomeu de Messines, June 11, 2017).
Trial began on February 16, 2024. (And continued on 2/23)
Trial dates: March 1, March 14, April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 25, May 2, 3 8, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, June 4, 5 6, 25, 26 & June 27, 2024. Expected to last up to 3 months.
Presiding judge Dr. Engemann. Prosecutor Ute Lindermann. Defense attorneys Dr. Friedrich Fülscher, Philipp Marquort, Dennis Bock & Atilla Aykac.
Brueckner is currently serving a 7 year sentence for the 2005 rape on a pensioner. While he is still the main suspect in Madeleine case, these above cases will be tried first & he will be charged with Madeleine later (maybe!)
Case info & charges & Brueckner info from June 1, 2020 thru January 18, 2024 & Trial Day 1 (Feb. 16, 2024) reference post #396 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...imes-praia-de-rocha-portugal-2.704227/page-10
Jan. 18, 2024 Update: More than 40 witnesses have been called in to testify, including up to half a dozen ex-lovers of Brueckner & a string of old acquaintances & friends. The last scheduled witness is a specialist in forensic psychology, Dr Christian Riedemann, who will take to the stand on June 27, 2024.
Feb. 23, 2024 Trial Day 2: Defense opening statement by Friedrich Fülscher & Ute Lindemann opened the prosecution case. Brueckner as details of his alleged sex crimes were detailed for the first time by prosecutor.
After reading the charges, Brückner's team of defense lawyers requested that three more witnesses be invited to the 40 that had been scheduled so far.
For more info see posts #473 (article) on page 24 & #483 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...imes-praia-de-rocha-portugal-2.704227/page-25
Trial continues on Friday, March. 1, 2024. The first witnesses, a German woman, who became a close friend of Brueckner & a man, who lived for long periods in Spain & Portugal, are due to give evidence next Friday.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, March 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 32)-VERDICT REACHED! (Day 3) (@ 10am ET) – CT – Jennifer Rebecca Farber Dulos (50) (May 24, 2019, New Canaan; still missing) – *Michelle C. Troconis (44/now 49) (Dulos’ GF) arrested & charged (6/1/19) & arraigned (6/3/19) with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence & hindering prosecution. Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Posted bond (on 6/3/19). These charges were dismissed (8/28/20) & recharged below.
*Charged (9/5/19) & arraigned (10/4/19) with tampering with evidence involving the borrowed car from work colleague & conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence (for 5/29/19). Plead not guilty. $100K bond. Posted bond (on 9/5/19). Off GPS 4/6/23.
*Charged (1/7/20) with conspiracy to commit murder (for 5/24/19). Plead not guilty. $2M bond. Bond reduced (1/8/20) to $1.5M & bonded out (on 1/9/20). Off GPS 4/6/23.
*Charged (8/28/20) with 2nd degree hindering prosecution, tampering with physical evidence & conspiracy to commit tampering with physical evidence (for 5/24/19). Plead not guilty. $500K bond. Posted bond. Off GPS 4/6/23.
Bond changed (3/1/24) to $6M Cash/Surety Bond; house arrest. GPS monitoring. Passports surrendered.
The declaration of death for Jennifer was3 officially issued by Judge William P. Osterndorf on October 24, 2023.
Jury Selection began on 10/4/23 & ended 10/26/23. Another jury selection after dismissed jurors on 1/10/24. Now 6 jurors & 2 alternates. (3 men & 3 women on jury/total: 4 women & 4 men). Jury started deliberations on 2/28/24. Day1-Time: ~5 hours. 2/29 (Day 2)- ~6 hours. 3/1/24 (Day 3): ~1 hour. Total deliberations: ~12 hours. Verdict: Guilty of all charges.
Trial began on 1/11/24. State rested their case on 2/21/24. Defense started their case on 2/21/24 & ended on 2/23/24. Closing arguments set for 2/27/24.
Superior Court Judge Kevin Randolph presiding for trial. Assistant State’s attorney Sean McGuinness & Supervisory assistant State’s attorney Michelle Manning & defense attorneys Jon Schoenhorn & Audrey Felson.
Contempt hearing on 3/21/24 @ 10am.
Bond info & Court info from 6/3/19 thru 12/6/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-11 (10/4-10/26/23), 2nd Jury Selection Day 1-2 (1/9 & 1/10/24) & Trial Day 1-31 (1/11-2/29/24) & Verdict Watch Day 1-2 (2/28 & 2/29/24) reference post #758 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-canaan-24-may-2019-arrests-67.705685/page-38
2/29/24 Friday Trial Day 32/Verdict Watch Day 3: Jury started deliberations at 10am. Note from jury (@ ~11am) reached a unanimous verdict on all 6 counts. Verdict: GUILTY of ALL charges:
Count 1: Conspiracy to commit murder, #2: Conspiracy to commit tampering-physical evidence. #3: Tampering with physical evidence. #4: Conspiracy to commit tampering-physical evidence. #5: Tampering with physical evidence. #6: 2nd degree Hindering prosecution.
State requests bond revoked or doubled. Significant flight risk. State wants strict conditions if the Judge doubles her bond rather than revoke it. $6M Cash Only/Surety bond. House arrest. GPS monitoring. Passports surrendered. Sentencing hearing on 5/31/24.
A scheduled contempt hearing has been moved to 3/21/24; Troconis allegedly had sealed documents displayed on her laptop in an open court during the trial. Judge Alex V. Hernandez will preside over the hearing. Judge Randolph & Troconis' attorneys, Felsen & Schoenhorn, have recused themselves from the hearing. The attorneys said it would be “inappropriate” for them to represent Troconis, who has hired attorney Robert Frost for the proceeding. State statute indicates that if a judge finds her in contempt, she could be fined up to $100, face up to six months in custody or both. Troconis was arrested on 3/1/24 for contempt charges. Case Number S01SCR24***.
Next contempt hearing on 3/21/24 @ 10am.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, March 4th thru Friday, March 8th:

Monday, March 4th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am CT) - TX - JeB (6) & JesB (9), abducted by Jame Burns their paternal grandmother in 2009 Black Ford Escape SUV, McKinney on Jan. 19, 2023. An Amber Alert issued are believed “to be in grave or immediate danger". The reason LE believe the girls to be in danger is due to her earlier meth-related arrest. Girls were found Jan. 22, 2023 & are safe. *Justin Lee Burns (34/now 35) “father” arrested & charged (1/21/23) & indicted (4/4/23) with 2 felony counts of kidnapping. Bond $50K. Failed to appear (5/26/23) bond forfeited & changed (5/26/23) to $100K & issued arrest of Burns. Rearrested 7/7/23. Bond forfeited (5/26/23).
Trial set to begin on 3/4/24.
Judge Benjamin N. Smith presiding.
Case & court info from 1/18/23 thru 12/8/23 reference post #178 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-black-suv-mckinney-19-jan-2023.658446/page-9
1/18/24 Update: Hearing was cancelled. Next pretrial hearing on 2/21/24 @ 8:30am & trial is set to begin on 3/4/24 @ 9am. 2/21/24 Update: Next trial set to begin on 3/4/24 @ 9am.
*Jame Lynn Burns aka Jame Lynn Roth & Jani L Roth (60/now 61) – 7/26/23 Plead guilty & sentenced to 5 years & credit 186 days served.

*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9:30am ET) – NY – Wendy Jerome (14) (Nov. 22, 1984, raped & severely beaten to death, found later that night lying in an alcove of Schools 33 & 11 at Webster Ave. a couple of blocks from her home) - *Timothy Lee Williams (20 @ time of crime/56/now 59) arrested & charged (9/9/20), indicted (9/28/20) & arraigned (10/22/20) with 2 counts of 2nd degree murder & intention. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
DNA familial search/Williams became a suspect after the New York State crime lab uploaded DNA from the crime scene to a database & came up with profiles of relatives.
Trial began on 11/29/23 & ended 12/16/23 in a mistrial.
Jury selection began on 2/27/24 & ended on 2/27/24. Trial began on 2/27/24.
Judge Alex Renzi. DA Sandra Doorley & assistant DA Lisa Gray, defense attorneys Don Thompson & Jessica Nacierio.
Court info from 9/9/20 thru 3/9/21 thru 12/6/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (2/27/24) & Trial Day 1-2 (2/28-2/29/24) reference post #146 here:
https://www.websleuths.co/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-8
2/29/24 Thursday, Trial Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 3/1/24.
The biggest witness in the trial is the DNA expert from South Africa. He is scheduled to testify Friday.
For more info see post #149 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-8
3/1/24 Friday, Trial Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/4/24.

Tuesday, March 5th:
*Jury Selection set to begin (@ 1:30pm ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection set to begin on 3/5/24.
Trial set to begin on 3/6/24 (thru 3/15/24).
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 1/9/24 reference post #17 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...jan-2023-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/
1/30/24 Update: Motion hearing with Judge Beau G. Liegeois presiding. Assistant DA Kevin Steuck appears on behalf of the State. Defendant Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Sotka. Defense stipulates to motion for joinder. Court grants motion. Court grants partial request to admit other acts. Defense may submit a brief regarding absence of mistake by 2/13/24. State to reply by 2/16/24. Present bond continued. Next final pretrial hearing on 3/1/24 @ 1:30pm.
2/12/24 Update: Letters/correspondence from attorney Rock. 2/16/24: Letters/correspondence from DDA Johnson. 2/19/24: Order granting State's Motion to admit other acts evidence as to intent & motive.
3/1/24 Update: Amended information re court actitivites. Motion in Limine-State's & Defense. Amended inormation-2nd amended. Final pretrical hearing held before Judge Beau Liegeois. Dept. DA Dana Johnson appears on behalf of State, defendant Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear for Sotka. Attorney Stephanie M. Rock for Sotka. Case is not resolved. Present bond continued. Next jury selection on 3/5/24 @ 1:30pm. Trial begins on 3/6/24 thru 3/15/24 all at 8:30am.

*Jury Selection begins (again) (Day 1) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018, Lake Forest; found Jan. 9, 2018; he was stabbed 19 times in his neck; 14 times on the left, 5 on the right & 1 stab wound in his left knee) – *Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20/now 25) arrested & charged (1/17/18) & arraigned (11/9/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty (again on 11/9/18). $5M bail, bail revoked (11/9/18). In custody of the Theo Lacy jail.
Trial was set to begin on 7/15/22 with jury selection was vacated for competency evaluation. Found competent (10/21/22) to stand trial.
Trial began on 2/7/24 with jury selection & ended on 2/8/24.
Jury selection began on 2/21/24 declared a mistrial. (Due to outburst from Woodward).
Jury Selection will begin again on 3/5/24.
Trial will begin when jury is selection-no date predicted.
Court hearings from 2/2/18 thru 2/21/24 & Jury Selection Days 1-4 (2/21-2/27/24) reference post #196 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ake-forest-2-jan-2018-8-arrest.618349/page-10
2/27/24 Update: Attorneys will return to court Tuesday to discuss how to move forward with jury selection. 2/29/24 Update: Woo
dward had some sort of an outburst in court that prompted his attorney to motion for a mistrial, which was granted by Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger. Jury selection & pretrial motions have been grinding on for weeks, but it appears jury selection could begin again next week, setting back testimony only about a couple of weeks. Trial continues with re start of jury selection on 3/5/24 @ 9am. On Tuesday, attorneys are expected to discuss whether to dismiss prospective jurors who are part of the larger jury pool for the trial but were not actually in the courtroom for the disruption. Starting jury selection from scratch would require a new pool of several hundred prospective jurors 7 further delay the trial’s start.


Thursday, March 7th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9:03am ET) - FL - Jaisyn Burgos (8) strangled by mother & ran errands with his dead body in car, Hialeah, Nov. 16 2023 - *Shaneka Ann McKinzie (36) arrested & charged (11/16/23) & arraigned (12/7/23) with 1st degree murder.
Trial set to begin on 3/11/24.
Case & court info from 11/16/23 thru 12/5/23 reference post #16 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...with-his-dead-body-in-car-nov-16-2023.696672/
12/8/23 Update: Order on defendant's motion to inspect & photograph hotel room. Next felony sounding hearing on 3/1/24 @ 9:05am. 12/7/23 Docket update: (23) Trial hearing scheduled on 3/11/24 @ 9am. 12/8/23: (24) Order: on defendant's motion to inspect & photograph hotel room.
2/12/24 Docket update: (26-29) E-Subpoenas for Jonathan Sabel, Theresa Luaces, Kevin Font, Kyle Viveiros & Sergio Fernandez.
3/1/24 Docket update (30) Report. Plea hearing set on 3/7/24 @ 9am.

*Status/Sentencing Hearing (Acosta only) (@ 9am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14, 9/15 & 9/18/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 9/14/23. Defense began their case on 9/15/23 & ended on 9/15/23 without calling any witnesses. Closing arguments on 10/13/23.
Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Polovin found not guilty (10/13/23) & Acosta found guilty of count 1 & 2 (10/13/23).
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1-5 (9/11-9/15/23) & thru 10/13/23 reference post #30 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...il-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/page-2
12/13/23 Update: Sentencing hearing continued by agreement on 2/13/24 @ 1:30pm. 12/30/23 Update: Acosta says he wants another trial. He’s claiming it wasn't fair, citing the admission of irrelevant documents & hearsay, improper testimony from state experts & prejudicial evidence including videos he says were not relevant to his investigation.
2/14/24 Update: Notice of filing. Motion/Petition for new trial filed. Next status/sentencing hearing on 3/7/24 @ 9am.
*JoAnn D. Cunningham (35/38 when sentenced/now 40) – 12/5/19: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 7/17/20 to 35 years in prison. Post conviction petition hearing on 6/1/22. Post conviction petition denied/dismissed. *Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (
60/63 when sentenced/now 65) – 9/18/20: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 9/18/20 to 30 years in prison. Will help prosecutors with case against welfare workers. On Jan. 21, the ARDC announced Andrew T. Freund, licensed as an attorney since 1984, had been disbarred after being convicted last year of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a child & concealment of a homicidal death. DOB 1958 after April.

*Plea Offer Hearing (@ am ET) – CT - Christine Marie Holloway (43) (last seen Nov. 27, 2019, found deceased on Dec. 2, 2019, Ansonia) & Vanessa Morales (17 mos.) (last seen Nov. 29, 2019, reported missing Dec. 3, 2019, Amber Alert on Dec. 4, 2019-not found) - *Jose Luis Morales (43/now 47) (BF) arrested (12/3/19), charged & arraigned (2/7/20) with felony murder, tampering with physical evidence & 2 counts of criminal possession of firearm (see below). Plead not guilty. Bond $5M.
Superior Court Judge Kevin Russo. Prosecutor Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Howard Stein & Defense attorney Edward Gavin.
First arrested (12/3/19), charged (1/22/20) & arraigned (3/5/20) with 2 counts of criminal possession of a pistol (2 stun guns). Plead not guilty. Bond $25K. CT Superior court in New Haven/transfer to Milford.
Court info from 12/4/19 thru 9/11/23 reference post #630 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-ansonia-28-nov-2019-arrest-2.490240/page-32
10/10/23 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 11/28/23 @ 10am. 11/28/23 Update: More than four years after police say Jose Morales killed Christine Holloway, he is likely to receive a formal plea offer in the case early next year. But his lawyer, Edward Gavin, doesn't expect any potential deal to call on Morales to reveal the whereabouts of his & Holloway's daughter Vanessa, who has been missing since police said he beat Holloway to death inside a Myrtle Avenue home in Ansonia in December 2019. Vanessa was one year old at the time. Gavin said after formally receiving the offer next month, Morales would then likely be brought back to court on 1/18/24 @ 10am to accept or reject it. Morales himself did not appear in the courtroom Tuesday.
1/18/24 Update: Morales was offered a plea deal in Superior Court on Thursday morning. The details of the offer were not made public. Morales is next due in court on 3/7/24 to accept or reject the offer. His attorney declined comment outside the courtroom. Morales appeared briefly in court in front of Judge Kevin S. Russo. The judge said the details of the plea offer have been shared with Holloway’s family.

*Trial set to begin for both (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Aranda Briones (16) (Last seen Jan. 13, 2019 near the Moreno Valley Community Park at Frederick & Cottonwood, Moreno Valley, not found) – *Owen Skylar Shover (18/now 23) ex-bf arrested (2/11/19), charged (2/15/19) & arraigned (3/1/19) & recharged (9/16/22) with 1st degree murder & special circumstance allegation of lying in wait. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
*Owen Skylar Shover charged (3/15/21) & arraigned (6/25/21) with bringing drugs into jail.
CA - Aranda Briones (16) (Jan. 13, 2019, Moreno Valley, not found) – *Gary Anthony Shover (21/now 27) arrested (2/11/19), charged (2/15/19) & arraigned (3/1/19) with 2nd degree murder & conspiracy to commit a crime. Held without bond. <<Charges dismissed on 9/16/22 & recharged (9/16/22) with a felony accessory after the fact. Plead not guilty. Bond changed to $10K (9/30/22). Out on bond (9/30/22).
Trial set to begin on 3/7/24 for both.
Court info from 2/15/19 thru 6/23/23 reference post #525 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...reno-valley-13-jan-2019-arrest.414244/page-27
9/15/23 Update: For both: Aranda: Next trial readiness hearing on 11/17/23 @ 8:30am. Owen: Drug charges: Hearing on 11/17/23.
11/17/23 Update: Hearings on 11/17/23 were disposed. Next trial set to begin on 3/7/24 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 4th:
*Trial set to begin-CANCELLED! Plead Guilty! (@ 9am CT) - TX - JeB (6) & JesB (9), abducted by Jame Burns their paternal grandmother in 2009 Black Ford Escape SUV, McKinney on Jan. 19, 2023. An Amber Alert issued are believed “to be in grave or immediate danger". The reason LE believe the girls to be in danger is due to her earlier meth-related arrest. Girls were found Jan. 22, 2023 & are safe. *Justin Lee Burns (34/now 35) “father” arrested & charged (1/21/23) & indicted (4/4/23) with 2 felony counts of kidnapping. Bond $50K. Failed to appear (5/26/23) bond forfeited & changed (5/26/23) to $100K & issued arrest of Burns. Rearrested 7/7/23. Bond forfeited (5/26/23).
Trial was set to begin on 3/4/24 with jury selection but was cancelled as Burns plead guilty on 2/23/24.
Judge Benjamin N. Smith presiding.
Case & court info from 1/18/23 thru 2/21/24 reference post #182 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...black-suv-mckinney-19-jan-2023.658446/page-10
2/23/24 Update: Probation (Judicial Officer: Wilson, Dan) Defendant appeared in person & by attorney. Defendant waived a jury trial & arraignment. Defendant warned & admonished. Defendant pleads guilty & is found guilty on their plea & on the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt of the offense. Punishment is assessed at 10 years confinement in TDCJ & a fine of $0. Imposition of sentence is suspended & Defendant is placed on probation for a period of 6 years under the terms & conditions ordered by the Court. Perform 30 Community Service hours. Serve 180 days in CCJ instanter. Have no direct communication with victims. RUA's, corrective thinking, jail time to run CC with all cases. Defendant's Plea Agreement packet; discovery acknowledgement; 2/26/24 Update: commitment issued; commitment to Sheriff's office. Payment agreement. 2/27/24 Update: Notice of Judicial clemency. 2/28/24 Update: Bill of cost.
3/4/24 Update: Cancelled jury trial.
*Jame Lynn Burns aka Jame Lynn Roth & Jani L Roth (60/now 61) – 7/26/23 Plead guilty & sentenced to 5 years & credit 186 days served.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 14)-VERDICT REACHED! (Day 4) (@ 10am ET) - NY – Susan Trott (70) (October 17, 2018, found in her apt. on Oct. 21, 2018, New York City) – *Anya Johnston (24/now 29) was indicted (10/30/18), arrested & charged (10/31/18) & arraigned (11/2/18) with murder (intentional). Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. Held without bond.
Anya had a history of mental health problems & was institutionalized in 2014 & 2016 for erratic behavior. Johnston’s early years in a Russian orphanage, where she’d been adopted. Johnston is currently hospitalized at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s undergoing psychiatric evaluation.
Trial began on 1/22/24 with jury selection & ended on 1/25/24. Opening statements & trial began on 1/26/24 & ended on 3/4/24 with a GUILTY verdict.
Judge Ruth Pickholz presiding. Assistant DA Hannah Yu & defense attorney Jeremy Schneider.
If the jury returns a “not responsible” verdict, Johnston would proceed to court hearings to assess her dangerousness & determine appropriate confinement to a NY forensic psychiatric center. Evaluations & court oversight would continue during treatment; such post-acquittal confinement can sometimes continue for decades.
If the jury convicts, Johnston would face a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison.
Court info from 11/2/18 thru 10/13/23 & Jury Selection Days 1-4 (1/22-1/25/24) & Trial Day 1-11 (1/31-2/28/24) & Verdict Watch Day 1 (2/28/24) reference post #118 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...oat-slit-killer-oct-2018-arrest.395918/page-6
2/29/24 Thursday, Trial Day 12/Verdict Watch Day 2: Jury continues deliberations. Trial continues on Friday, 3/1/24.
3/1/24 Friday, Trial Day 13/Verdict Watch Day 3: Jury continues to deliberations. Trial continues on Monday, 3/4/24.
3/4/24 Monday, Trial Day 14/Verdict Watch Day 4: Jury continued deliberations. Verdict: Found guilty on 2nd degree murder charge. Sentencing hearing on 5/1/24.
For more info see post #120 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...oat-slit-killer-oct-2018-arrest.395918/page-6

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, March 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Federal Case) (starts @ 9am (Subhannah), @ 9:30aam (Hujrah), @ 10am (Morton) & @ 11am (Siraj) MT) – NM – 11 children (ages 1 to 15 found August 3, 2018 in filthy NM compound, Amalia) - *Siraj Ibn Wahhaj (39/now 45), Laqman Lucas Allen Morton (40/now 45), Subhannah Wahhaj (35/now 40) (8 mos. pregnant back in 8/31/18) (wife of Morton) & Hujrah Wahhaj (35/now 40) (sister of Siraj) arrested (8/31/18) & indicted (9/12/18) & re charged & indicted (3/14/19) & arraigned (3/21/19) by FBI with 2 counts of conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, 2 counts of conspiracy to murder an Officer or employee of the U.S. (except Subhannah & Hujrah only 1 count), possessing a firearm while unlawfully in the U.S., conspiracy to commit kidnapping (except Siraj) & kidnapping (except Siraj). The these four defendants are charged with aiding & abetting Leveille & conspiring with her to commit the offense. (Violating federal firearms & conspiracy laws). All plead not guilty.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced it would not seek the death penalty against the four facing kidnapping charges.
Trial began on 9/25/23 with jury selection which was completed. Jury: 7 men & 5 women.
Trial began on 9/26/23 & expected to last about 4 weeks. Government rested their case on 10/5/22. Defense began their case on 10/6/23 & rested their case on 10/11/23. 10/17/23: Jurors found all defendants guilty.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge William P. Johnson presiding.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj & Lucas Morton are representing themselves, defense attorney Donald Kochersberger for Hurah Mahhaj, defense attorney Justine Fox-Young for Subhanah Wahhaj.
Case info & court hearings from 8/31/18 thru 9/21/23, Jury Selection (9/25/23) & Trial Days 1-14 (9/26-10/17/23) & thru 11/9/23 reference post #395 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-with-little-food-04-aug-2018.383594/page-20
12/14/23 Update: (1082) Order by Chief District Judge William P. Johnson as to Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, Hujrah Wahhaj, Subhanah Wahhaj & Lucas Morton granting [1081] Motion to Continue Sentencing Hearings filed by USA. Pending further notice, the Court hereby vacates the 1/31/24 sentencing hearings for Siraj Wahhaj, Hujrah Wahhaj, Subhanah Wahhaj & Lucas Morton. Furthermore, the parties shall advise the Court if they wish to have the sentencing hearings reset on the same day or in close proximity to the 2/20/24 sentencing hearing for Jany Leveille.
1/17/24 Update (1088) Notice of Sentencing hearings as to Subhanah Wahhaj, Hujrah Wahhaj, Lucas Morton, Siraj Ibn Wahhaj & Jany Leveille on 3/6/24 in Albuquerque Cimarron Courtroom before Chief District Judge William P. Johnson: Subhanah Wahhaj is set for Sentencing at 9am. Hujrah Wahhaj is set for Sentencing at 9:30am. Lucas Morton is set for Sentencing at 10am. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj is set for Sentencing at 11am. Jany Leveille is set for Sentencing at 1:30pm. If the 4 defendants set in the morning need additional time, the Court will carry over into the afternoon & commence Ms. Leveille's sentencing upon the conclusion of the other defendants' sentencings. If Ms. Leveille's sentencing can not be concluded on 3/6/24, sentencing will be continued on 3/7/24.
3/6/24 Update: U.S. Judge William Johhnson on Wednesday sentenced four family members to life in prison for convictions stemming from a federal terrorism & kidnapping case. The defendants were unsuccessful in their arguments that the severity of the sentences violated their constitutional rights. That will be just one of the arguments they plan to bring up when appealing their convictions. At trial, they suggested that the case was the product of "government overreach" & that they were targeted because they are Muslim. Siraj Ibn Wahhaj, the boy’s father & Leveille’s partner, was convicted of three terrorism-related charges. Wahhaj’s brother-in-law, Lucas Morton, also was convicted of terrorism charges, conspiracy to commit kidnapping & kidnapping that resulted in the boy’s death. Wahhaj’s two sisters — Hujrah & Subhanah Wahhaj — were convicted only on the kidnapping charges. Defense attorneys for the sisters argued that a life sentence was grossly disproportionate to the crimes their clients were accused of committing and that the women had no control over the situation. Prosecutors disputed those claims.

ALSO:
*Sentencing Hearing (Federal Case) (@ 1:30pm MT) – NM – 11 children (ages 1 to 15 found August 3, 2018 in filthy NM compound, Amalia) - *Maryam Jany Leveille (35/now 40) (wife of Siraj) plead guilty to a federal firearms charge & a conspiracy charge & faces up to 15 years in prison. She admitted acting with her four co-defendants to transport firearms from Georgia to New Mexico “for use in establishing a firearms & military tactics training range,” according to the plea agreement. Under the agreement, prosecutors agreed to drop the remaining charges against Leveille following sentencing.
Case info & court hearings from 8/31/18 thru 9/21/23, Jury Selection (9/25/23) & Trial Days 1-13 (9/26-10/16/23) & thru 10/20/23 reference post #391 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-with-little-food-04-aug-2018.383594/page-20
11/27/23 Update: Sentencing set for 11/27/23 at 1:30pm. Sentencing was continued on 3/6/24 @ 1:30pm. If Leveille’s sentencing can not be concluded on 3/6/24 after all other have been sentenced, then sentencing will continue on 3/7/24.
3/6/24 Update: Leveille who plead guilty to conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists & being in possession of a firearm while unlawfully in the United States. Under the terms of her plea agreement, she had faced up to 17 years in prison. Judge William Johnson sentenced her to 15 years, noting that Leveille had received treatment for a diagnosis of acute schizophrenia that followed her arrest in 2018. She had undergone competency evaluations & began taking medication.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, March 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 9am ET) – NY – Wendy Jerome (14) (Nov. 22, 1984, raped & severely beaten to death, found later that night lying in an alcove of Schools 33 & 11 at Webster Ave. a couple of blocks from her home) - *Timothy Lee Williams (20 @ time of crime/56/now 59) arrested & charged (9/9/20), indicted (9/28/20) & arraigned (10/22/20) with 2 counts of 2nd degree murder & intention. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
DNA familial search/Williams became a suspect after the New York State crime lab uploaded DNA from the crime scene to a database & came up with profiles of relatives.
Trial began on 11/29/23 & ended 12/16/23 in a mistrial.
Jury selection began on 2/27/24 & ended on 2/27/24. Trial began on 2/27/24 & ended on 3/8/24. Jury deliberations Day 1 (3/7/24): ½ hour. Day 2 (3/8/24): no time available. Verdict: Guilty of 2 counts of murder.
Judge Alex Renzi. DA Sandra Doorley & assistant DA Lisa Gray, defense attorneys Don Thompson & Jessica Nacierio.
Court info from 9/9/20 thru 3/9/21 thru 12/6/23 & Jury Selection Day 1 (2/27/24) & Trial Day 1-7 (2/27-3/6/24) reference post #158 here:
https://www.websleuths.co/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-8
3/7/24 Thursday. Trial Day 8: No mention of last State witness. State rested their case.
Defense witness: Timothy Williams. Defense rested their case. Closing arguments by DA Sandra Doorley & defense attorney Don Thompson. Jury began deliberations & will continues on Friday, 3/8/24.
3/8/24 Friday, Trial Day 9: Jury deliberated (no time available). Jury reached a verdict: GUILTY on both counts of murder. Sentencing hearing on 4/17/24.
For more info see post #160 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-8

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, March 7th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Acosta only) (@ 9am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14, 9/15 & 9/18/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 9/14/23. Defense began their case on 9/15/23 & ended on 9/15/23 without calling any witnesses. Closing arguments on 10/13/23.
Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Polovin found not guilty (10/13/23) & Acosta found guilty of count 1 & 2 (10/13/23).
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1-5 (9/11-9/15/23) & thru 12/30/23 reference post #34 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...il-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/page-2
2/14/24 Update: Notice of filing. Motion/Petition for new trial filed. Next status/sentencing hearing on 3/7/24 @ 9am. 2/20/24 Docket update: Order. 2/23/24: Certificate-mailing by clerk. 2/29/24: Response. Notice-filing.
3/7/24 Update: Sentencing hearing was reset on 6/6/24 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, March 11th thru Friday, March 15th:

Monday, March 11th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 7am CT) – MI – Zyaire Reed (13 mos.) (July 28, 2020, Ecorse) (Zyaire was killed, twin Zion Reed injured) – *Lisa Marie Reed (34/now 38) (“mother”) arrested & charged (10/21/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with felony murder & charged (7/31/20) with 1st degree child abuse. Plead not guilty. $30K bond.
Trial set to begin on 3/11/24.
Court info from 10/6/20 thru 10/13/22 reference post #151 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2020-mother-boyfriend-arrested.534912/page-8
7/14/23 Update: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Next hearing on 10/17/23 & trial set to begin on 3/11/24 @ 8am.
*James Edward Gibson, Jr. (34/now 38) (BF of mom) – Plead guilty on 10/13/22 to 1st degree premeditated murder & 2 counts of 1st degree child abuse & assault on prison employee. Sentencing hearing on 1/20/23 & sentenced to 30 years. Release date 10/18/53.

*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:30am ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) for Rhonda & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) for Paula & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection began on 3/5/24 & ended on 3/5/24. Jury: 8 women & 6 men with 2 alternatives.
Trial began on 3/6/24 (thru 3/15/24).
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. Brown County Assistant DA Kevin Steuck & DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 3/1/24 & Jury Selection Day (3/5/24) & Trial Day 1 (3/6/24) reference post #25 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/[/page-2[url] [COLOR=rgb(255, 0, 0)][SIZE=3][I]3...t-2018-arrest-2.398905/page-19[/SIZE][/COLOR]
8/14/23 Update: The trial is removed from its current settings of pretrial conference on 8/18/23, jury selection in Pulaski County on 9/7/23 & jury trial in Cole County on 9/11/23. The case is placed on the docket for case review via Webex 3/7/24 @ 9am. Judge William Earl Hickle presiding.
3/5/24 Update: Entry of Appearance Filed. Filed By: James Christopher Egan On Behalf Of: Givens. Proposed Order Filed. Order- Extension of Time; Electronic Filing Certificate of Service. Filed By: Debra M. Miles. Confidential Correspondence. Letter to Judge Hickle dated 3/5/24, - extension request.
3/6/24 Update: Objections Filed. Supplemental Motion stating Defense objection to DMH Request filed By: James C. Egan on behalf of Givens. Judge/Clerk - Note. Webex information for 3/7/24 case review: Join by computer. Proposed Order Filed. Proposed Order filed by James Egan. objections filed. Objections to DMH Request filed James Egan on behalf of Givens. Order. The hearing is public & attendance by Webex is permitted. No recording or screenshots are permitted.
3/7/24 Update: Hearing Scheduled. Scheduled For: 3/13/24 & 1pm. Judge William Earl Hickle, Cole Circuit. Hearing Held on 3/7/24. Case Review Scheduled. Order. On 3/7/24 the cause is called by Webex. Defendant & all counsel are present. The cause is reset for hearing on 3/13/24 @ 1pm at the Cole County Courthouse of all pending motions, including the request by DMH filed March 4, 2024 for extension of time.
*Charged (5/21/22) & arraigned (8/8/22) with felony damage to jail/jail property on 5/10/22. Plead not guilty.
Court hearings from 5/21/22 thru 2/7/23 reference post #379 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rson-city-24-oct-2018-arrest-2.398905/page-19
6/6/23 Update: Judge Cotton Walker presiding. State appears by prosecuting attorney Thompson, defendant appears by attorney Tarnowski. Case continued to 10/3/23 @ 9am for plea/trial setting hearing.
10/3/23 Update: State appears by Assistant prosecuting attorney Landrum. Defendant appears via video. Hearing continued/rescheduled to 3/12/24 @ 9am.


Wednesday, March 13th:
*Jury Selection continues (Day 3) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018, Lake Forest; found Jan. 9, 2018; he was stabbed 19 times in his neck; 14 times on the left, 5 on the right & 1 stab wound in his left knee) – *Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20/now 25) arrested & charged (1/17/18) & arraigned (11/9/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty (again on 11/9/18). $5M bail, bail revoked (11/9/18). In custody of the Theo Lacy jail.
Trial was set to begin on 7/15/22 with jury selection was vacated for competency evaluation. Found competent (10/21/22) to stand trial.
Trial began on 2/7/24 with jury selection & ended on 2/8/24.
Jury selection began on 2/21/24 declared a mistrial. (Due to outburst from Woodward).
Jury Selection began again on 3/5/24.
Trial will begin when jury is selection-no date predicted.
Court hearings from 2/2/18 thru 2/29/24 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/6/24) reference post #218 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ake-forest-2-jan-2018-8-arrest.618349/page-11
3/7/24 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 2: No info available. Jury selection continues on Wednesday, 3/13/24.


Thursday, March 14th:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 11am CET) – Germany/Portugal - Hazel Behan (20 @ time/now 40) (in her home, June 16, 2004, Praia de Rocha on the Algarve coast, 10 miles from Praia de Luz, Portimao, Portugal) - *Christian Stefan Brückner (Bruekner) (27 @ time of 1st crime (2004)/45/now 47) charged (Oct. 11, 2022) with sexual assault (suspect held a knife & brutally raped her. The accused then tied & gagged the woman to a table & raped her again. He then whipped the victim on the back with a whip he had brought with him & finally forcibly performed oral sex with the victim. The accused filmed large parts of the events with a video camera he had brought with him). Braunschweig Regional District Court
Germany/Portugal – *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - a 14 year old teenager (assaulted/hit the naked girl with a whip. Said to have brutally forced the girl to have oral sex. The accused also videotaped this act). Took place between Dec. 28, 2000 to April 8, 2006 on the Praia da Luz, Algarve coast, Portugal.
Germany/Portugal - *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - an elderly woman 70-80 yrs old a Tour Rep (tied up & raped the victim in her holiday apt. He then hit the victim several times with a whip. The accused is said to have recorded the entire event with a video camera). Took place around the same time (between Dec. 28, 2000 to April 8, 2006) on the Praia de Luz, Algarve coast, Portugal.
Germany/Portugal – *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - 10 year old German girl (Joana E.) (wearing only shoes & otherwise naked. He grabbed the child's wrist & began to perform masturbation movements on his naked penis). On Salema (Zalema) beach, near Praia de Luz, Portugal, April 7, 2007).
Germany/Portugal – *Charged (Oct. 11, 2022) & arrest warrant reinstated 11/18/22 - 11 year old Portuguese girl (pulled down his trousers & underpants & made masturbation movements on his naked penis in order to sexually arouse himself, until the frightened girl ran to her father for help. The suspect was arrested on the spot by the Portuguese police). Exposed himself in playpark, São Bartolomeu de Messines, June 11, 2017).
Trial began on February 16, 2024. (And continued on Feb. 23, Mar 1)
Trial dates: March 14, April 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 25, May 2, 3 8, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, June 4, 5 6, 25, 26 & June 27, 2024. Expected to last up to 3 months.
Presiding Judge Dr. Engemann. Lead Prosecutor Ute Lindermann. Defense attorneys Dr. Friedrich Fülscher, Philipp Marquort, Dennis Bock & Atilla Aykac.
Brueckner is currently serving a 7 year sentence for the 2005 rape on a pensioner. While he is still the main suspect in Madeleine case, these above cases will be tried first & he will be charged with Madeleine later (maybe!)
Case info & charges & Brueckner info from June 1, 2020 thru January 18, 2024 & Trial Day 1-2 (Feb. 16 &, Feb. 23) reference post #600 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...imes-praia-de-rocha-portugal-2.704227/page-30
March 1, 2024 Trial Day 3: Gov’t Witness: Manfred S. He claimed to have videos of Brueckner raping a pensioner & teenage girl.
For more info see posts #605, 609, 617 & 627 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...imes-praia-de-rocha-portugal-2.704227/page-32
And post #704 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...imes-praia-de-rocha-portugal-2.704227/page-36
Today Brueckner's defense team were given a USB said to contain child abuse images from the German FBI, the BKA. The data storage was uncovered at the paedophile’s box factory lair when he was named as a suspect in 2020 - but prosecutors resisted handing it over for years. Brueckner’s lawyers are fighting for the images it contains to be ruled out of use in the trial. Defender Dr. Friedrich Fülscher demanded in process, that evidence brought up by the prosecutor against Brückner must not be used. Specifically, it is about two Word files that were found on a USB stick of the accused. Trial continues on Thursday, March 14, 2024 @ 11am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 11th:
*Trial continues (Day 4)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 8:30am ET) - WI - *Rhonda Cegelski (58) & Paula O'Connor (53), stabbed to death, Jan. 29, 2023, Green Bay - *Richard Wendell Sotka (48/now 49) bf of Rhonda arrested (in Mississippi County, Arkansas on 1/30/23; arrest warrant filed 2/1/23), charged (2/1/23) & arraigned (3/10/23) with 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon & domestic abuse assessments) for Rhonda & 1 count of 1st degree intentional homicide (use of a dangerous weapon) for Paula & 1 count of felony bail jumping. Extradited from Arkansas to Wisconsin (2/2/23). Bond $2M. Plead not guilty.
Jury Selection began on 3/5/24 & ended on 3/5/24. Jury: 8 women & 6 men with 2 alternatives.
Trial began on 3/6/24 & ended on 3/12/24 with closing arguments. Jury began deliberations on 3/12/14 for an hour & found Sotka guilty of all charges.
Judge Beau G. Liegeois. Brown County Assistant DA Kevin Steuck & DA Dana J. Johnson. Defense attorneys Kirk B. Obear & Stephanie M. Rock.
Case & Court info from 1/30/23 thru 3/1/24 & Jury Selection Day (3/5/24) & Trial Day 1-3 (3/6-3/8/24) reference post #31 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/11/24 Monday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: No witnesses listed. The prosecution rested. The defense called no witnesses & rested their case.
The judge agreed to let the jury consider convicting Sotka of the lesser charge of 1st degree reckless homicide for both victims. A conviction on that charge carries up to 60 years in prison instead of an automatic life sentence. The prosecution said it was strongly opposed when the defense asked to let the jury consider a 2nd degree reckless homicide charge as well, which carries a maximum 25-year sentence.
For more info see post #32 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...23-suspect-arrested-in-arkansas.662958/page-2
3/11/24 Monday, Day 4/Jury Deliberations Day 1: Deputy DA Dana Johnson & Assistant DA Kevin Steuck appear on behalf of the State. Defendant Sotka in court, in custody. Attorney Kirk Bowden Obear & attorney Stephanie M. Rock in court for Sotka. Jury deliberated for an hour & finds defendant guilty on all 8 counts. Court orders PSI. Court revokes bond. Sentencing hearing scheduled for 5/20/24 @ 3pm.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, March 18th thru Friday, March 22nd:

Monday, March 18th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Both cases) (@ 1:30pm PT) - AZ - *Dalmer Hussen (18) (Sept. 24, 2000 attacking while walking home from a friend’s house in Phoenix, found Sept. 25, 2000 in a vacant lot) – *Lance David Ray (32 @ time of crime/52/now 56) was charged (12/27/20), indicted (1/7/21) & arraigned (1/19/21) with 2nd degree intentional murder. Held without bond. Plead not guilty.
*Lance David Ray (52/now 56) was arrested (10/23/20 in Bloomington, IN. & extradited to AZ) (in connection with 3 separate incidents in 2000 after DNA evidence linked him to the crimes for a 14 yr. old & 17 yr. old) & charged & indicted (10/23/20) & arraigned (11/25/20) with 2 counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, 2 counts of kidnapping (death/injury/sexual), 2 counts of sexual conduct with a minor & 2 counts of sexual assault. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 3/18/24 was cancelled. Plead no contest to 2nd degree intentional murder & 2 counts of 6 for sexual assault. Sentencing hearing on 3/18/24.
Crime info & Court info from 10/23/20 thru 1/30/24 reference post #90 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...al-assaults-2000-arrest-in-2020.554596/page-5
3/11/24 Update: No info on hearing. Next sentencing hearing on 3/18/24 @ 1:30pm.

*Trial set to begin (@ 1pm CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) – *Brittany Diann Drake (29/now 34) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the 1 death. Plead not guilty. $30K Surety bond. Out on bond (1/28/19).
Trial set to begin on 3/18/24.
Court info from 9/16/20 thru 10/30/23 reference post #587 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hot-marion-30-dec-2018-arrests.414840/page-30
10/31/23 Update: Hearing scheduling activity. Jury trial originally scheduled on 10/30/23 was rescheduled on 3/18/24 @ 1pm, reason Court's own motion, Judge Jeffrey D. Todd. Next pretrial conference hearing on 2/15/24 @ 8:30am.
2/15/24 Update: Next trial set to begin on 3/18/24 @ 1pm.
Accomplices:
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 29) – Blackwell - Found guilty on 5 of 6 charges & sentenced on 7/29/21 to 120 years in prison.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 33) – Blackwell - had bench trial on 3/10/20-found guilty & sentenced on 4/3/20 to 200 years in prison.

*Jury Selection continues (Day 4) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018, Lake Forest; found Jan. 9, 2018; he was stabbed 19 times in his neck; 14 times on the left, 5 on the right & 1 stab wound in his left knee) – *Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20/now 25) arrested & charged (1/17/18) & arraigned (11/9/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty (again on 11/9/18). $5M bail, bail revoked (11/9/18). In custody of the Theo Lacy jail.
Trial was set to begin on 7/15/22 with jury selection was vacated for competency evaluation. Found competent (10/21/22) to stand trial.
Trial began on 2/7/24 with jury selection & ended on 2/8/24.
Jury selection began on 2/21/24 declared a mistrial. (Due to outburst from Woodward).
Jury Selection began again on 3/5/24.
Trial will begin when jury is selection-no date predicted.
Court hearings from 2/2/18 thru 2/29/24 & Jury Selection Day 1 (3/6/24) reference post #218 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ake-forest-2-jan-2018-8-arrest.618349/page-11
3/7/24 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 2: No info available. Jury selection continues on Wednesday, 3/13/24.
3/13/24 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 3: No info available. Jury selection continues on Monday, 3/18/24.

and this one I have no info on (articles) & can not access the jail site anymore. I have left the case #s so -if anyone can access it - please let me know! TIA!

*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8am CT) – MI – Zyaire Reed (13 mos.) (July 28, 2020, Ecorse) (Zyaire was killed, twin Zion Reed injured) – *Lisa Marie Reed (34/now 38) (“mother”) arrested & charged (10/21/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with felony murder & charged (7/31/20) with 1st degree child abuse. Plead not guilty. $30K bond. Wayne County #21-000456-01-FC Murder & child abuse /#21-000458-01-FC child abuse
Trial began on 3/11/24.
Court info from 10/6/20 thru 7/14/23 & trial days 1-3 (3/11-3/13/24) reference post #159 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2020-mother-boyfriend-arrested.534912/page-8
3/14/24 Thursday, Trial Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Friday, 3/15/24.
3/15/24 Friday, Trial Day 5: No info available. Trial continues (?) on Monday, 3/18/24.


and that is it for the week...

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 18th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ am CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) – *Brittany Diann Drake (29/now 34) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the 1 death. Plead not guilty. $30K Surety bond. Out on bond (1/28/19).
Trial was set to begin on 3/18/24 was continued on 7/15/24.
Court info from 9/16/20 thru 2/15/24 reference post #588 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hot-marion-30-dec-2018-arrests.414840/page-30
3/18/24 Docket update: Order of continuance of trial by Court-granted. 3/19/24 Update: Next pretrial conference hearing on 6/13/24 @ 8:0am & trial will now begin on 7/15/24 @ 1pm.
Accomplices:
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 29) – Blackwell - Found guilty on 5 of 6 charges & sentenced on 7/29/21 to 120 years in prison.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 33) – Blackwell - had bench trial on 3/10/20-found guilty & sentenced on 4/3/20 to 200 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, March 25th thru Friday, March 29th:

Monday, March 25th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2:30pm MT) – CO - 29 day old baby boy with three broken ribs, right humerus fractured in two places, left fractured femur, "Buckle" fractures of the right & left tibia (bone bends but are not fully broken), black eye, bruises to chin, cheek, elbow & inside of mouth and significant traumatic brain injury on Sept. 20, 2017 & died on Dec., 2023 in Aurora. *Taja Shannon (?) indicted & charged (May, 2023) & arraigned (1/22/24) with child abuse resulting in death & accessory to a crime. Plead GUILTY.
Case & Court info from 7/14/23 to 9/25/23 reference post #32 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...day-old-son-aurora-20-sept-2017.684040/page-2
10/30/23 Update: Arraignment hearing was again reset on 12/18/23. 12/18/23 Update: Arraignment hearing was again reset on 1/22/24.
1/22/24 Update: Shannon plead guilty to all charges. Sentencing hearing on 3/25/24 @ 2:30pm.
*Eddie Meyers – Pretrial readiness conference hearing on 6/7/24 & trial set to begin on 6/14/24.

*Jury Selection set to begin (@ 10:30am MT) – ID – Joshua Jaxon (JJ) Vallow (7) & Tylee Ashlyn Ryan (16) (JJ last seen Sept. 23, 2019 & Tylee on Sept. 9, 2019, Rexburg; found June 9, 2020 buried in Daybell’s yard in Salem, ID) & Tamara “Tammy” Michelle Douglas Daybell (49) (died on Oct. 19, 2019 at her residence in Salem, ID; dob 5/4/70). – *Chad Guy Daybell (53/now 55) arrested (6/9/20) & indicted (5/25/21) & charged (5/26/21) & arraigned (6/9/21) with Count 1 (for Tylee): Conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & grand theft by deception (for Daybell, Vallow & Alex Cox) & other co-conspirators. Count 2 (for Tylee): 1st degree murder. Count 3 (for JJ): Conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder & grand theft by deception. Count 4 (for JJ): 1st degree murder. Count 5 (for Tammy, 49, died 10/19/19): Conspiracy to commit 1st degree murder. Count 6 (for Tammy): 1st degree murder. Count 8 & 9: Insurance Fraud (Two counts of insurance fraud related to 2 different life insurance policies he had on Tammy). Plead not guilty. No bond. DA will seek DP. (Judge denied removing DP 3/14/24).
Trial set to begin on 4/1/24 with final jury selection. Trial will be held in Ada County.
Jury will be sequestered during deliberations in the guilt phase thru the penalty phase.
Court hours are 8:30am to 3pm Monday-Friday.
Judge Steven W. Boyce presiding. Prosecutors: Lindsey Blake & Rachel Smith & defense attorney John Prior.
Previous charges, Grand jury indictment & Court info from 6/10/20 thru 2/22/24 reference post #482 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bell-charles-vallow-arrests-77.686529/page-25
3/7/24 Update: Order: losing Hearing & Sealing Record. On 3/8/24 the court will call for hearing serveral motions filed 3/4/24. Closed hearing as prosecutors motion to exclude a recording of Summer Shiflet, Lori Vallow's sister. Also a \state motion to exclude Dr. James Davidson as an expert. Motions are sealed. State also wants its prosecutor Rob Wood excluded as a witness
3/11/24 Docket update: Notice of Service filed by Prior. [will submitted to prosecuting attorney on 5/11/24 his Disclosure o Trial Witnesses & Trial exhibits]. State's Notice of Response to Notice of Alibi filed by Lindsey Blake. [State has supplied counsel for the defendant of the State's response to Notice of Alibi]. State's Notice of witness & exhibit list.
3/11/24 Docket update: Order appointing Special Assistant Attorney General [Dep. Attorney General Ingrid Batey] signed by Judge Steven Boyce.
3/12/24 Docket update: State's Motion re: exhibits. [exhibits from Vallow-Daybell trial made available to defense].
3/13/24 Update: Judge Boyce denied Daybell's request to remove the possibility of him being sentenced to death if found guilty, state "punishment shall be determined by the jury".
3/14/24 Docket Update: State's Motion to Seal. [a motion to seal its Motion to Clarify. State's Motion to Seal. [a motion to seal its Motion to Compel]. State's Motion to Seal. [a motion to seal its Second Motion in Limine & Brief in support of Motion for Introduction of Statements of Tammy Daybell]. State's Motion to Seal. [a motion to seal its Supplemental Authority for State's Motion in Limine for intro of statement of Tammy Daybell]. State's Motion to Seal. [a motion to seal its Motion for Limiting Instruction. [sealing documents during criminal investigation is in the best interest of justice & preserve the right to a fair trial].
3/14/24 Docket update: Order. An Order temporarily sealing the witness & exhibit lists. Order. Authorizing Review of Questionnaire. Order. DENYING Motion without hearing. [State's Motion to Clarify the Order denying Counsel's Motion to Withdraw as counsel for defendant]. Order. Excluding witnesses. [witnesses shall be excluded from observing or listening to other witnesses' testimony during trial; except for a witness who meets definition of a "crime victim"]. Order. Sealing witness/exhibit lists. Order to Seal State's Motion for limiting instructions. Order to seal State's Motion to Compel. Order to seal State's second Motion in Limine & Brief in support of motion for introduction of statements of Tammy Daybell. Order to seal State's Motion to Clarify. All signed by Judge Boyce.
3/15/24 Docket Update: Order. [As part of the administrative process of this trial, before voir dire begins, questionnaires will be distributed to & completed by jurors at the Ada County Courthouse]. Order. [with regard to juror voir dire process & in order to promote open court proceedings, limited public access will be provided]. Signed by Judge Boyce. Per Judge Steen Boyce the trial will be live streamed when it begins in two weeks but those wishing to attend the Ada County Courthouse in person must abide by an administrative order.
3/21/24 Update: Jurors who received summons will be heading to the courthouse next week, Monday, 3/25/24 to fill out questionnaires, which help the Court determine the suitability to serve on the jury. For those jurors who have not been disqualified after filling out the questionnaire, they will be expected to return to the courthouse 4/1/24, for voir dire, a process in which each side will get approximately ten preemptory strikes until the final panel is seated. Judge Boyce is looking to seat a panel of 18 jurors, including six alternates, from a pool of about 50 jurors. Schedule: @ 10:30am Lawyers arrive, 11:am Jury arrives, 2pm Lunch break (30-45 minutes) & 5pm-5:30pm recess. The jury will be sequestered for deliberations in the guilt phase of Chad’s trial through the duration of the penalty phase, should there be one. Should the jury find him guilty of one or more murder charges, the jury will then determine whether Chad will face the death penalty as the ultimate punishment. Daybell has been transferred to Ada County Jail from the Fremont County jail for trial.

*Trial set to begin (@ 9:30am ET) – FL – Kameela Russell (41) (May 15, 2019, last seen in driveway of Aunt’s house, found May 25, 2019 in Snake Creek canal, City of Miami Gardens) - *Ernest Joseph Roberts (39/now 44) arrested (6/14/19), charged (6/13/19), indicted (7/17/19) & arraigned (7/18/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. (5/18/20: bond denied due to COVID). DP Case. DA has waived the DP.
Trial was set to begin on 1/2/24 continued on 3/25/24.
Judge Alberto Milian presiding. Prosecutor Arvind Singh & Defense attorney Roderick Vereen.
Court info from 10/13/20 thru 10/10/23 reference post #188 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ami-gardens-15-may-2019-arrest.445549/page-10
1/2/24 Update: Motion for trial continuance filed 1/2/24. Oral set for 1/2/24-Granted. (1081) Trial is now scheduled to begin on 3/25/24 @ 9:30am.
2/26/24 Docket update: (1082 to 1135 ) e-Subpoenas for Tyrone White, Michael Mallon, Richard Johnson, Karina Pimentel, Victor Morillo, Wanda Jackson, Dewayne Piper, Robeto Robles, Christopher Pacheco, Jeffrey Spokony, Darryl Owens, Eamon Curran, Glenn Sellan, Michael Perez, Dexter McLaurin, Luis Gonzalez, Angel Seary, Kevin Warren, Henry Schneider, Christopher Shuman, Michael Lissade, Pedro Valdes, Shirley Parr, Diana Hedrick, Sean Horne, Joseph Schaefer, Jose Rodriguez, Teresa Windish, Michael Ruiz, Edgar Castelli, Henry Payoute, Juan Gonzalez, John Medina, Patrick Paolella, Kimberly Barfield, Roger Franklin, Jeremy McIntyre, Shane Badeo, Timothy Turner, Amariliss Owens, Terry Goldston, Christopher Williams, Roody Eugene, Obsner Germinal, Jodelin Antenor, Williard Delancy, Cynthia Alexander, Shenekke Slaughter, Hector Infante, Nancy Torres & Rupert Butcher.

*Jury Selection continues (Day 8) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018, Lake Forest; found Jan. 9, 2018; he was stabbed 19 times in his neck; 14 times on the left, 5 on the right & 1 stab wound in his left knee) – *Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20/now 25) arrested & charged (1/17/18) & arraigned (11/9/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty (again on 11/9/18). $5M bail, bail revoked (11/9/18). In custody of the Theo Lacy jail.
Trial was set to begin on 7/15/22 with jury selection was vacated for competency evaluation. Found competent (10/21/22) to stand trial.
Trial began on 2/7/24 with jury selection & ended on 2/8/24.
Jury selection began on 2/21/24 declared a mistrial. (Due to outburst from Woodward).
Jury Selection began again on 3/5/24.
Trial will begin when jury is selection-no date predicted.
Court hearings from 2/2/18 thru 2/29/24 & Jury Selection Days 1-5 (3/6, 3/7, 3/13, 3/18 & 3/19/24) reference post #231 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ake-forest-2-jan-2018-8-arrest.618349/page-12
3/20/24 Wednesday, Jury Selection Day 6: No info available. Jury selection continues on Thursday, 3/21/24.
3/21/24 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 7: No info available. Jury selection continues on Monday, 3/25/24.

*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 6am CT) – MI – Zyaire Reed (13 mos.) (July 28, 2020, Ecorse) (Zyaire was killed, twin Zion Reed injured) – *Lisa Marie Reed (34/now 38) (“mother”) arrested & charged (10/21/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with felony murder & charged (7/31/20) with 1st degree child abuse. Plead not guilty. $30K bond.
Trial began on 3/11/24 with jury selection & trial began on 3/13/24.
Court info from 10/6/20 thru 7/14/23 & Jury selection (3/11/24) & Trial Days 1-4 (3/13, 3/14, 3/18 & 3/20/24) reference post #167 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2020-mother-boyfriend-arrested.534912/page-9
3/21/24 Thursday, Trial Day 5: No info available. Count 2 only. Trial continues on Monday, 3/25/24.


Wednesday, March 27th:
*Sentencing Hearing (re Fraud) (@ 10am PT) – AZ - *Christopher Matthew Clements (35/now 42) charged (4/6/17) & arraigned (2/13/18) with 2 counts of fraudulent schemes/artifices. Plead not guilty.
Trial for Fraud began on 1/30/23 & ended 2/2/23 with a guilty verdict. Sentencing hearing on 3/27/24.
Burglary & Theft – found guilty (6/7/22) & sentenced to 65 years.
Trial for Maribel Gonzales murder – started on 9/13/22 & ended 9/30/22 with a guilty verdict. Sentenced on 11/14/22 to natural life in prison & 17 years for kidnapping charge.
Trial for Isabel – Trial set to begin on 2/6/24 & ended 2/29/24 with a GUILTY verdict on all charges. Sentencing hearing is to be set on 3/25/24.
Court info from 7/22/22 thru 1/25/23 & Trial Days 1 to 3 (1/30 to 2/1/23) reference post #551 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...s-13-tucson-3-june-2014-arrest.251212/page-28
2/2/23 Trial Day 4: Clements was found guilty & sentencing hearing reset on 5/5/23 @ 9am. 2/7/23: Notice of sealed documents (Jury questionnaires). 3/31/23 & 4/11/23; Sentence/Disposition reset. 4/17/23 Notice of filing under seal. 4/25/23: Motion to continue sentencing hearing. 4/26/23: Sentence/Disposition-reset. New sentencing hearing on 8/3/23 @ 9am.
5/15/23: Motion to continue sentencing hearing. 5/17/23: Order-granted to continue sentencing. State's response to defendant's motion to continue sentencing. Note: Correctional Health Services' notice of filing document under seal. 5/18/23: Notice of rights. PSR supporting documents. Order of confinement/Sentence of imprisonment to ADOC. Order: Monetary Orders. Presentence report. 5/19/23: Sentencing Order-Incarceration. 5/22/23: State's sentencing recommendation. 5/30/23: Disposition Report.
6/6/23: Notice of Appeal from Superior Court. Sentencing hearing on 8/3/23 @ 9am. 6/13/23: Notice of appeal filed. 6/15/23: Court of Appeals appellate clerk notice. 6/23/23: Designation of record for appeal.
7/20/23: Notice-electronic index of record. 7/24/23: Notice of filing under seal. Sentencing hearing was reset on 11/3/23 @ 9am. 7/31/23 Update: Public defender. Motion to file document under seal. Amended Motion to continue sentencing hearing. Notice: Sealed document.
8/1/23 Update: Order entered by Court. 8/3/23: Sentence/Disposition reset & continued sentencing hearing on 1/31/24 @ 9am.
9/21/23 Update: Appeals notice of completion of record.
10/30/23 Update: Notice of filing under seal. 1/31/24 Update: Sentencing hearing was reset on 3/27/24 @ 10am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 25th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ 9:30am ET) – FL – Kameela Russell (41) (May 15, 2019, last seen in driveway of Aunt’s house, found May 25, 2019 in Snake Creek canal, City of Miami Gardens) - *Ernest Joseph Roberts (39/now 44) arrested (6/14/19), charged (6/13/19), indicted (7/17/19) & arraigned (7/18/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. (5/18/20: bond denied due to COVID). DP Case. DA has waived the DP.
Trial was set to begin on 3/25/24 continued on 6/17/24.
Judge Alberto Milian presiding. Prosecutor Arvind Singh & Defense attorney Roderick Vereen.
Court info from 10/13/20 thru 2/26/24 reference post #195 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ami-gardens-15-may-2019-arrest.445549/page-10
3/25/24 Docket update: Motion (1137 & 1138) for trial continuance-granted after oral arguments. Trial will now begin on 6/17/24 @ 9:30am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, March 26th:
*Sentencing Hearing-CONTINUED! (@ 2:30pm MT) – CO – 29 day old baby boy with three broken ribs, right humerus fractured in two places, left fractured femur, “Buckle” fractures of the right & left tibia (bone bends but are not fully broken), black eye, bruises to chin, cheek, elbow & inside of mouth and significant traumatic brain injury on Sept. 20, 2017 & died on Dec., 2023 in Aurora. *Taja Shannon (?) indicted & charged (May, 2023) & arraigned (1/22/24) with child abuse resulting in death & accessory to a crime. Plead GUILTY.
Case & Court info from 7/14/23 to 12/18/23 reference post #38 here:
[URL='https://www.websleuths.com/fo...ld-son-aurora-20-sept-2017.684040/page-2[/url]
1/22/24 Update: Shannon plead guilty to all charges. Sentencing hearing on 3/25/24 @ 2:30pm. 3/25/24 Update: Sentencing hearing was continued on 4/29/24 @ 2:30pm.
*Eddie Meyers – Pretrial readiness conference hearing on 6/7/24 & trial set to begin on 6/14/24.

 

[Niner]

Update - finally!

Friday, March 29th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am CT) – OK – Kayson Toliver (18) & Kloee (Toliver) Hall (16) (Nov. 1, 2018, Beggs; shot in the head by mom & injured 14 yr. old daughter was grazed in neck/head) – *Amy Leann Hall (39/now 42) indicted & charged (Federal) (10/28/20) & arraigned (11/16/20) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 1 count of assault with the intent to commit murder in Indian Country. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Muskogee Federal court.
Was originally arrested (11/2/18) & charged (11/29/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & 1 count of shooting with intent.
Charged (3/8/19) with assault & battery (while in jail). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Dismissed & Federal charges were made.
Trial was set to begin on 12/7/21 continued to 3/1/22 & continued to 6/7/22 continued to 12/6/22 & was continued on 2/7/23 which was cancelled due to plea agreement & a guilty plea.
Court info from 10/28/20 thru 10/24/22 reference post #127 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...1-grazing-3rd-beggs-01-nov-2018.397807/page-7
10/25/22 Update: Hall will plead guilty to 2 counts of murder & 1 count of assault with intent to commit murder in Indian Country as part of a plea agreement with prosecutors according to a court filing made Tuesday on her behalf. A judge on Wednesday scheduled a hearing on 11/28/22 in Muskogee federal court regarding the plea. An attorney for Hall indicated in court filings that the plea deal, which calls for her to serve life in prison, had a deadline of this past Monday.
11/28/22 Update: Hall plead guilty Monday in a deal that calls for her to serve life in prison for murdering two of her children & wounding another in 2018. Hall admitted to two counts of murder in Indian Country & one count of assault with intent to commit murder in Indian Country as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in Muskogee federal court. In October, Hall agreed to plead guilty in federal court after prosecutors there gave her a Monday deadline to accept the plea agreement. If Hall did not accept the plea, federal prosecutors indicated to her attorneys that they would drop federal charges, opening the door for state prosecutors to reopen their case against her and seek the death penalty. While the charge of murder in Indian Country carries a possible death sentence, that option was not on the table in Hall’s federal case. She will be formally sentenced at a later date. 11/28/22: Motion #94: Motion to withdraw attorney & Motion #99: Motion to determine Counsel. Waiver of right to trial by jury by Hall, approved by District Judge Ronald A. White. Plea agreement sealed. Both motions #94 & #99 are withdraw by defendant. Trial on 2/7/23 is stricken from schedule. 11/30/22: Motion #109: Motion for Leave to file under seal & directing counsel to file said document under seal as to Hall entered. Sealed document.
12/6/22: Granting Motion #108 motion to withdraw as counsel of record & deeming attorney Walter I. Goncalves, Jr. withdrawn as counsel for defendant.
1/19/23: #113 - Transcript of Proceedings (Unredacted) of Change of Plea Hearing held on 11/28/22 before District Judge Ronald A. White. A party must file a Transcript Redaction Request within 21 calendar days. If a party fails to request redaction, this unredacted transcript may be made electronically available to the public without redaction after 90 calendar days. Any party needing a copy of the transcript to review for redaction purposes may purchase a copy from the court reporter or may view the transcript at the court public terminal. 1/27/23: #114: Motion to Withdraw Attorney(s) filed by Sonia Fleury for Hall. 1/31/23: #115: Minute Order by District Judge Ronald A. White: granting #114 Motion to Withdraw Counsel & Appoint Substitute Counsel. Attorneys Victoria Brambl & Sonia Fleury are deemed withdrawn & the Federal Public Defender is directed to appoint substitute counsel forthwith for defendant Hall.
2/1/23: #116: Attorney appearance by (CJA) by Carla R. Stinnett on behalf of Hall. 6/20/23: #117: Attorney appearance.
3/29/24 Update: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Amy Leann Hall, age 43, of Okmulgee, Oklahoma, was sentenced to Life in prison for each of two counts of Murder in Indian Country & 240 months in prison for one count of Assault with Intent to Commit Murder in Indian Country. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The charges arose from investigations by the FBI & the Okmulgee County Sheriff’s Dept. On November 28, 2022, Hall pleaded guilty. According to investigators, during the early morning hours of November 1, 2018, Hall entered the room of her 18-year-old son & shot him in the head while he slept, killing him instantly. Hall proceeded to the bedroom of her 16-& 14-year-old daughters & shot both in the head as they slept. Hall’s 14-year-old daughter survived. Hall’s 16-year-old daughter never regained consciousness & died from her injuries four days later at the hospital. An Okmulgee County deputy dispatched to the scene spotted Hall’s vehicle & gave pursuit. After a chase exceeding 110 miles per hour, law enforcement apprehended & arrested Hall. The crimes occurred in Okmulgee County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma. The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief Judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing. Hall will remain in custody of the U.S. Marshal pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, March 28th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 6am CT) – MI – Zyaire Reed (13 mos.) (July 28, 2020, Ecorse) (Zyaire was killed, twin Zion Reed injured) – *Lisa Marie Reed (34/now 38) (“mother”) arrested & charged (10/21/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with felony murder & charged (7/31/20) with 1st degree child abuse. Plead not guilty. $30K bond.
Trial began on 3/11/24 with jury selection & trial started on 3/13/24 & ended 3/28/24 with a NOT guilty verdict.
Court info from 10/6/20 thru 7/14/23 & Jury selection (3/11/24) & Trial Days 1-4 (3/13, 3/14, 3/18 & 3/20/24) reference post #167 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-2020-mother-boyfriend-arrested.534912/page-9
3/21/24 Thursday, Trial Day 5: No info available. Count 2 (homicide) only. Trial continues on Thursday, 3/28/24.
3/28/24 Thursday, Trial Day 6: Reed was found not guilty after a three-week trial in connection with the July 28, 2020 death of her 13-month old son, Zyaire & abuse of his twin, Zion..
*James Edward Gibson, Jr. (34/now 38) (BF of mom) – Plead guilty on 10/13/22 to 1st degree premeditated murder & 2 counts of 1st degree child abuse & assault on prison employee. Sentencing hearing on 1/20/23 & sentenced to 30 years. Release date 10/18/53.