GUILTY VA - Crystal Hamilton, 29, & Ofc. Ashley Guindon, 28, Prince William Co., 27 Feb 2016

[JerseyGirl]

Trail pushed to August 2018

http://www.insidenova.com/news/crim...cle_dac7a6c0-da87-11e7-a9ad-331d6331e5ec.html

 

[JerseyGirl]

Jury selection is scheduled to get underway at the trial of an Army veteran charged with killing his wife and a police officer who responded to his northern Virginia home in 2016.

He is charged in the shooting deaths of his wife, Crystal Hamilton, and Officer Ashley Guindon, who was working her first shift when she was shot and killed.

Two other officers were shot and wounded.

Hamilton has pleaded not guilty, though court records indicate he confessed to the shootings after his arrest.

Death penalty trial begins in 2016 killing of police officer

 

[YESorNO]

In trial's opening day, grandmother reads statement from Hamiltons' son
13-year-old wrote of parents fighting before shots rang out on Lashmere Court

Sep 12, 2018

"One of the first signs that something was wrong on Lashmere Court came when a neighbor spotted Crystal and Ronald Hamilton’s 11-year-old son running down the street.

The neighbor, Tara McAdoo, said she heard “booms” that sounded like gunshots before she saw the boy outside, but didn’t immediately know what it was....

McAdoo’s testimony came on the first day of witness testimony in the capital murder trial of Ronald Williams Hamilton...
On the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 11, jurors heard opening statements from prosecutors and defense attorneys as well as testimony from four witnesses.

Crystal Hamilton’s mother reads grandson’s statement

Attorneys agreed to allow the Hamiltons' son to testify through a written statement, which was read in court by Cherry Murphy, his grandmother and Crystal Hamilton’s mother.

Through the statement, the boy, now 13, described in his own words what happened that day....

Hamilton, who served two tours of duty in Iraq, appeared in court dressed in his Army service uniform.

Seats in the crowded courtroom were filled on one side by family members of victims Crystal Hamilton and Ashley Guindon, and on the other by relatives of Ronald Hamilton. Prince William County Police Chief Barry Barnard sat in a front row, while Sheriff Glendell Hill stood in the back.

Hamilton’s trial continues Wednesday. The trial is expected to last 12 weeks. "

In trial's opening day, grandmother reads statement from Hamiltons' son
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[JerseyGirl]

Six more officers describe post-shooting scene in court

 

[YESorNO]

Judge forbids expert testimony in Hamilton trial
Prosecutors accused of missing key deadline for notifying defense

Sep 13, 2018

"Attorneys representing the Woodbridge man accused of killing his wife and a Prince William County police officer won a legal victory Wednesday when they convinced the judge to exclude “all expert testimony” in the ongoing trial based on the prosecutors’ failure to provide sufficient information to the defense at least 60 days before the proceedings began, as required by Virginia law.

In a hearing Sept. 12 held prior to the start of the second day of witness testimony in the capital murder trial of Ronald Williams Hamilton, 34, defense attorney Gene Hart argued expert testimony should be excluded from the remainder of the trial because Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Ebert and his partners missed that key deadline....

Its unclear how the ruling might affect the case. By charging Hamilton with capital murder, prosecutors must prove Hamilton guilty of the "willful, deliberate and premeditated" killing of a law-enforcement officer, meaning the case will likely hinge on the defendant's state of mind during the shooting."

Judge forbids expert testimony in Hamilton trial
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On the witness stand, surviving officers share details of life-changing shooting

Sep 13, 2018

"Two Prince William County police officers who survived the hail of gunfire that killed rookie Officer Ashley Guindon recounted the events of that chaotic day publicly for the first time Wednesday during testimony in the trial of Ronald Williams Hamilton, the Army staff sergeant who has been charged with capital murder in the deaths of both Guindon and his wife, Crystal.

Officer Jesse Hempen, who suffered a gunshot wound to his upper leg, and Officer David McKeown, who was shot in the chest, groin and right elbow, spent much of the day on the witness stand in Prince William County Circuit Courtroom Sept. 12, telling the jury what happened on Feb. 27, 2016, and how their lives have changed forever because of it...."

On the witness stand, surviving officers share details of life-changing shooting
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[BeesInMyBonnet]

The officers’ testimony breaks my heart. I work with some of them.

Six more officers describe post-shooting scene in court

“I told him to ‘stay with me brother. You’re going to be fine,’” Fields said, his voice breaking with emotion. “He just kept looking at me. I just kept telling him to stay with me.”

 

[BeesInMyBonnet]

At a second hearing Monday, Sept. 17, Smith further ruled on some specific testimony that will be excluded from the jury because of his earlier ruling.

For example, the medical examiner will not be able to testify about the cause of death of the two homicide victims and there is “simply no way any DNA evidence can come in,” Boyle said.

But a few disagreements were left for Smith to settle. At Monday’s hearing, Smith ruled that the medical examiner can testify that a bullet was found in Crystal Hamilton’s body and can testify about the direction that bullet traveled.

The medical examiner will not be able to testify about the path of bullets not found in a body, attorneys said. Smith also ruled the surgeon who treated all three officers will not be able to testify about Officer Ashley Guindon’s cause of death. The doctors will be able to testify that they treated gunshot wounds, but one doctor’s testimony that Guindon’s gunshot wound was caused by a “high-caliber rifle” will not be allowed, Smith ruled.

Attorneys agreed that jurors will see only redacted copies of certain documents, including autopsy reports, so that anything that is considered opinion will be blocked out.

Judge clarifies ruling on expert testimony in Hamilton trial

 

[BeesInMyBonnet]

Today in court, paramedic Kyle Steele testified about being dispatched to the horrific scene.

“It felt like war,” he said, because there were so many people holding guns “I thought I was going to be shot,” Steele said, adding, “It was like a bomb went off."

Steele raced to Officer McKeown and saw immediately that “he need an operating room” because there were “a lot of bullet holes, in his elbow specifically."

He helped load Mckeown on a medical air transport then went back to his ambulance where there was blood everywhere. As he cleaned, he found a bullet that had apparently come out of the officer.

Army Sgt. on trial for murdering wife and Va. police officer hits second week of testimony

 

[BeesInMyBonnet]

After six days of witness testimony, prosecutors rested their case against Hamilton Wednesday afternoon.

Defense attorneys called only one witness—the lead detective in the case who interviewed Hamilton on the night of the shooting—before resting their case Thursday morning.

Closing arguments are expected in the case this Tuesday, Sept. 25.

Prosecutors, defense rest in Hamilton case

 

[YESorNO]

Jury hears closing arguments: Army SSG accused of killing wife, Prince William Co. officer

September 25th 2018

"MANASSAS, Va. (AP) — ...A jury heard closing arguments Tuesday in the death penalty trial of Ronald Hamilton, 34, of Woodbridge, who is charged with capital murder and other counts in the February 2016 fatal shootings of Crystal Hamilton and Officer Ashley Guindon....

Gene Hart, one of Hamilton's public defenders, acknowledged to the jury during Tuesday's closing arguments that Hamilton is guilty of the slayings. But he argued that the killings lacked the premeditation necessary for a capital-murder conviction and possible death penalty. Instead, he urged the jury to convict on lesser charges of either second-degree murder or voluntary manslaughter, saying Hamilton was acting in the heat of passion....

Prosecutor Richard Conway said the most obvious evidence of premeditation is the fact that Hamilton selected a Glock handgun to shoot his wife, and then upgraded to a more powerful AK-47 rifle in preparation for the anticipated police response....

If convicted of capital murder, prosecutors will seek the death penalty during the trial's sentencing phase. A sentencing phase would likely involve several weeks of testimony, and jurors would choose one of two options: execution or life in prison."

Jury hears closing arguments: Army SSgt. accused of killing wife, police officer
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[BeesInMyBonnet]

Guilty verdicts.

A Prince William County jury found Ronald Hamilton guilty Wednesday of all charges in the 2016 murder of his wife and a Prince William County police officer, said Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul Ebert.

Jury finds Woodbridge man guilty of capital murder in 2016 killings

 

[YESorNO]

Jury convicts Army staff sergeant in deaths of wife, police officer

Sep 27, 2018

"...News accounts indicate the jury will return Monday to hear evidence on whether Hamilton should receive a death sentence."

Jury convicts Army staff sergeant in deaths of wife, police officer

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[YESorNO]

For Va. man who killed his wife and a police officer, a push for death and plea for mercy

October 1

"...On Monday, Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian P. Boyle was careful not to utter Hamilton’s name as he characterized him as “depraved” and “dangerous,” frequently referring to him as “the defendant” or “the man.” “While each of these words is an accurate description of what you’ve heard over the last few weeks, here in the sentencing hearing, the words have a much greater meaning.” The crime, he said, demands “a response that is more than the usual response.”

In her opening remarks, one of Hamilton’s attorneys pleaded for mercy on his behalf. Vivian Hernandez told jurors that Hamilton — whose father, a retired second-in-command of the Charleston, S.C., police department, sat in the courtroom — deserved life in prison without a chance for parole. Not the death penalty, she said....

If a jury recommends death, it’s up to the judge to formally impose the sentence. Technically, the judge can overturn a death sentence and give a defendant life in prison....

After Monday’s hearing, Hamilton’s father, also named Ronald Hamilton, told The Washington Post: “I empathize with the feelings of the police officers and the entire community, and I hope the jury will show my son some mercy,” he said, “because he is a good person who made a terrible mistake.”"

For Va. man who killed his wife and a police officer, a push for death and plea for mercy
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[YESorNO]

Jury will decide if man who killed wife, officer, will get the death penalty or prison

Oct 02, 2018

"MANASSAS, Va. - A jury that found a Woodbridge man guilty of murdering his wife, a Prince William County police officer, and shooting, and seriously injuring two other officers, heard arguments for, and against, his execution Monday.

Jurors found Army Staff Sgt. Ronald Hamilton guilty of 17 different charges. But for the next week and a half, they will focus on just two of them both capital murder charges.

Hamilton is facing two capital murder charges; killing two people within a three year span, and killing a law enforcement officer. Hamilton shot and killed his wife Crystal and Officer Ashley Guindon.

Hamilton was also convicted of shooting, and seriously injuring two other Prince William County Police Officers...."

Jury will decide if man who killed wife, officer, will get the death penalty or prison
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[YESorNO]

In sentencing phase, witnesses describe Hamilton as volatile, unpredictable with police, family

Oct 3, 2018

"Less than a year before Ronald Williams Hamilton fatally shot his wife and a Prince William County police officer and shot two other officers who survived, police were called to the Hamilton’s Woodbridge home on Lashmere Court.

It was Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, and Ronald Hamilton texted his sisters messages that caused them to fear for his safety.

“I don’t know how much longer I can hold on,” he texted, Hamilton’s younger sister, Julia Hamilton, testified in Prince William Circuit Court Tuesday. “Bad things are running through my head...I love you all and I’m sorry. I just can’t handle it.”

Their older sister called police, and two Prince William County officers went to the Hamilton home to check on Hamilton’s welfare.

The incident is one of several jurors have heard detailed this week as Hamilton’s capital murder trial entered its sentencing phase. ...

On Monday and Tuesday, the first two days of the sentencing phase, prosecutors put several witnesses on the stand to testify about prior incidents involving Hamilton, an Army staff sergeant who worked at the Pentagon at the time of his arrest. ...

The sentencing phase of Hamilton’s capital murder trial continues today, Oct. 3."

In sentencing phase, witnesses describe Hamilton as volatile, unpredictable with police, family
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[YESorNO]

On the witness stand, surviving officers share details of life-changing shooting

Oct 3, 2018

On the witness stand, surviving officers share details of life-changing shooting
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Surviving officers tell jury of fearing for their lives, lamenting the loss of young rookie

Oct 4, 2018

"The two Prince William County police officers who survived the shooting that killed Officer Ashley Guindon on Feb. 27, 2016, spoke to jurors from the witnesses stand Wednesday.

It was the second time jurors heard testimony from Officer Jesse Hempen and Officer David McKeown in the trial of 34-year-old Ronald Williams Hamilton, who the jury convicted last week of 17 felony charges, including capital murder for the deaths of Guindon and Hamilton’s wife, Crystal Hamilton and for the shootings that seriously injured the officers....

Now that the trial has entered the sentencing phase, jurors again heard testimony from Hempen and McKeown, this time about the lasting effect the day has had on them....

The sentencing phase of Hamilton’s trial continues next week. At the conclusion of this phase of the trial jurors will decide whether Hamilton should be sentenced to death or to life in prison. "

Surviving officers tell jury of fearing for their lives, lamenting the loss of young rookie
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[BeesInMyBonnet]

The mother of slain Prince William police officer Ashley Guindon looked straight at her murderer Tuesday in a county courtroom as she described the pain he’d inflicted.

“Ronald Hamilton, you not only killed my daughter,” said Sharon Guindon, addressing the former Pentagon I.T. specialist. “You killed me, too.”

Sharon Guindon’s gutting remarks — along with the emotional testimony of Crystal Hamilton’s mother, Cherry Murphy — were the final piece in the prosecution’s argument to impose the death penalty. If the 12 jurors agree, he would become the fourth person on Virginia’s death row.

Many of the 12 jurors tried to hold back tears, rubbing their eyes. Hamilton kept his hands over his face. At one point, he could be seen from behind shaking.


‘You killed me, too’: Mother of slain police officer addresses her murderer at emotional hearing

 

[YESorNO]

At trial, Hamilton’s sister recalls phone call from her brother amid fatal shootings

Oct 11, 2018

"From the witness stand Wednesday, Ronald Williams Hamilton’s sister, Cassandra Williams, tearfully recalled the day her brother fatally shot his wife and a Prince William County police officer and how she coached him over the phone to give himself up to police.

Williams told jurors she was with her family at Japanese restaurant in South Carolina, celebrating a cousin’s birthday, when her brother, RonaldHamilton, called her on Feb. 27, 2016....

Wednesday, jurors also heard testimony from Hamilton’s mother and a soldier who served alongside him during his first deployment to Iraq. Tuesday, on the first day of the defense’s sentencing case, jurors heard testimony from Hamilton’s fifth-grade teacher, from his childhood mentor with the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, from a representative of an alternative high school program he attended and from another soldier he served with."

At trial, Hamilton’s sister recalls phone call from her brother amid fatal shootings
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[YESorNO]

Family, fellow soldiers testify in effort to spare Hamilton’s life

Oct 15, 2018

"...The defense team also called several witnesses who served in the Army with Hamilton. As a young enlisted soldier, Hamilton deployed to Iraq in 2003 at the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His fellow soldiers testified about the fear and danger they faced while deployed there as part of a signal battalion.

Hamilton’s battalion was responsible for setting up communications in Iraq, and the soldiers faced dangers as they patrolled the area, as their convoy traveled from Kuwait to Iraq and as they lived at the airfield in Mosul, the soldiers testified.

Several of the soldiers said they’ve since been diagnosed with PTSD and appeared to struggle with their emotions as they testified about their deployment.

Hamilton deployed to Iraq a second time in 2005.

Defense attorneys have not yet presented evidence directly about how the war affected Hamilton but have hinted at its effects. On the day of the shootings, Hamilton told the first detective he spoke to that he thought he might have PTSD, though he had not been diagnosed by a doctor.

The defense team expects to conclude its case this week."

Family, fellow soldiers testify in effort to spare Hamilton’s life
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[YESorNO]

Father of Convicted Murderer Pleads for Son to Be Forgiven

October 18, 2018

"MANASSAS, VA. (CN) – A retired police officer, appearing at the sentencing hearing of his son, who has been convicted of capitol murder, pleaded for his son to be “forgiven” and sentenced to life in prison rather than his being put to death....

Hamilton’s father, also named Ronald, was the final witness called by defense attorneys who have been trying for two weeks to save the life of the convicted murderer in Prince William County Circuit Court.

“What my son did was wrong,” said the elder Hamilton, a retired Charleston, South Carolina police officer. “Some time, we have to reach back and forgive.”..."

Father of Convicted Murderer Pleads for Son to Be Forgiven

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