Trials set to begin in MARCH, 2020

[Niner]

Trials & Sentencings for the week of Monday, March 2nd thru Friday, March 6th:

Monday, March 2nd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am CT) – PA – Baby (4mos) (July 16, 2018, Lancaster County) – Candace Parrow (23/now 24) “mom” arrested, charged & arraigned (8/13/18) with homicide, aggravated assault & strangulation. Denied bail.
9/30/18 Update: Prelim hearing on 10/2. 10/2/18: Waived right to prelim hearing. Bound over for trial. Defense files motion for continuance, which was granted. Continuance on 2/25/19. 2/25/19: Next Suppression hearing on 9/16.
9/16/19 Update: Next miscellaneous hearing on 12/9.
12/9/19 Update: Parrow pleaded no contest-guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder, aggravated assault and strangulation. Under state law, guilty but mentally ill means Parrow, "as a result of mental disease or defect, lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of (her) conduct or to conform (her) conduct to the requirements of the law." No contest means that Parrow acknowledges that she would likely be found guilty if the case went to trial. It's the same as a conviction. Judge Jeffery Wright will sentence Parrow after she undergoes a psychological evaluation and presentence investigation. Criminal Homicide Guilty but Mentally Ill, Aggravated Assault Guilty but Mentally Ill and Strangulation - Blocking the Nose & Mouth of the Person Guilty but Mentally Ill. Sentencing scheduled for March 2.

*Bench Trial set to begin (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty. DA seeks DP.
DNA match
Bench Trial set to start on 3/2/20.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.

*Trial set to begin (@ 9am PT) – CA – Denis Lampe (19) (April 1, 1976, Daly City) – *Leon Melvin Seymour (30 @ time of crime/72/now 73) charged (11/16/18) & arraigned (12/18/18) with 1st degree murder with use of deadly weapon, 1 count of attempt or use of deadly weapon, 1 count of torture & 1 count to 2 prior offenses (enhancement). Plead not guilty. $10M bond. No bond (12/14/18).
Is being housed at Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator for other kidnappings & sexually assaults going back decades. DNA match.
Trial set to begin on 3/2/20

*Trial set to begin (re Carrol County 2 cases) (@ am CT) – IN – Nicole Lynn Bowen (30) (missing March, 29, 2019, Jefferson Township, Newton County, found March 30, 2019) - for *Garrett Kenneth Kirts (21) arrested (4/1/19) & charged (3/28/19) with murder, resisting LE & criminal recklessness. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek life without parole. Newton County
Trial set to begin on 7/13/20.
Court info from 6/12/19 thru 12/13/19 reference post #331 here:
Found Deceased - IN - Newton County, Fem, 30 Mar 2019 - Nicole Bowen
12/18/19 Update: State’s motion to set jury trial on 1/6/20 & disposition hearing on 1/8/20. Newton County Prosecutor Jeff Drinski said Wednesday that plea negotiations with Kirts had broken down. Kirts was in line to get a 45-year sentence under terms offered. Drinski said he since pulled the deal & will go to trial in a case where he plans to ask for life without parole. Trial set to begin on 7/13.
1/6/20 Update: Disposition hearing on 1/8/20 is cancelled. Trial is scheduled to start on 7/13/20. 1/22/20: Discovery motion filed. No update as of 2/28.
*Charged (1/20/19) with strangulation & domestic battery. Carroll County
Trial set to begin on 3/2/20.
*Charged (2/21/19) with 2 counts of invasion of privacy. Violates an order issued under I.C. 35-33-8-3.2. No plea entered. Carroll County
Trial set to begin on 3/2/20.
*Charged (2/20/19) with theft where value of property is between $750 to $50K. Tippercanoe County
4/1/19 Update: Initial hearing on 4/1/19 & issued arrest warrant. 3/7/19: Probable cause found to head for trial. No update as of 1/8/20.
*Charged (4/5/19) Charged Assisting a criminal (same as 3901), but the criminal assisted committed murder (F5) Newton Superior Court
This case ^^ was resolved-Dismissed without prejudice.
*Ashley N. Garth (26) – Final pretrial hearing on 5/15/20. No trial date set.
*Christopher Channing Mathis (27) – Next Final pretrial hearing on 5/1/20. No trial date set.
*Talitha Ann Beckley (36) – Next trial set to begin 6/1/20.
*Jasmine Nicole Parker (34) – 10/8/19: Plead guilty. According to the plea agreement, Parker also will serve four years in prison for being a habitual offender, based on felony convictions in 2018 for unlawful possession of a syringe in Jasper County and in 2004 for burglary in Tippecanoe County.

*Jury Trial set to begin (@ 8:45am ET) – GA – newborn found in freezer (born ~ 6/7-11; found 6/26/18) – *Carol June Sautter-Williams (45/now 46) arrested & charged (6/25/18), indicted (1/10/20) & arraigned (2/16/20) with felony concealing a death (felony) & making a false statement (felony). Plead not guilty. No bail. Judge grants bond @ $33,200.
Trial set to begin on 3/2/20 (thru 3/9/20).
1/10/20 Update: Grand Jury indicts Sautter on concealing a death & making a false statement. Arraignment hearing on 2/6/20. 2/6/20: Plead not guilty. Jury selection starts 2/27/20 and trial starts 3/2 thru 3/9.
2/27/20 Thursday Day 1 of Jury Selection: No info available. Continues on 2/28.
2/28/20 Friday Day 2 of Jury Selection. No info available. Trial starts on Monday, 3/2.

*Trial continues with Jury Selection (Day 7) (@ 10am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection From 2/19/20 thru 2/27/20 reference post #133 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
2/27/20 Thursday Day 6 of Jury Selection. No court on Fridays. Continues on Monday, 3/2.

*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ am MT) – ID – Lyryk Altom (20 mos) (Oct. 8, 2017, Twin Falls-taken to hospital & died Oct. 14, 2017) – for *Joshua Eric Molina (33/now 35) (BF) arrested & charged (March/2017) & arraigned (5/30/18) on 1st degree murder & 1 count felony injury to a child. Plead not guilty.
Trial began on 2/25/20 for Molina only.
Court info from 10/9/18 thru 2/10/20 reference post #90 here:
ID - Lyryk Altom, 20 mos, died of blunt force trauma from mother & bf, Twin Falls, Oct 2017
2/25/20 Tuesday Day 1: Jury selection done. Trial begins on 2/26.
2/26/20 Wednesday Day 1 of Trial: Opening statements by: Prosecuting Attorney Grant Loebs & Defense attorney. State witness: Friend of both defendants. No other info available. Trial continues on 2/27.
2/27/20 Thursday Day 2 of Trial: State witness: St Luke's emergency room physician (no name given). No other info available. Trial continues on 2/28.
2/28/20 Friday Day 3 of Trial: State witness: Forensic pathologist (no name given). No other info available. Trial continues on 3/2.
*Amanda Jean Dunlap (23) “mom” – Next Status conference hearing on 3/17/20.

*Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Elizabeth Sullivan (31) (reported missing Oct. 14, 2014, San Diego; found Oct. 4, 2016 in San Diego Bay) – *Matthew Scott Sullivan (29 @ time of crime/33/now 35) “husband” arrested (1/31/18 in Wyoming, Delaware, extradited 2/9/18), charged & arraigned (3/4/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $2M bond.
Trial began on 2/18/20 with jury selection, trial started on 2/21/20. Trial expected to last to 3/20/20.
Jury Selection from 2/10/20 thru 2/20/20 reference post #313 here:
Found Deceased - CA - Elizabeth Sullivan, 31, San Diego, 13 Oct 2014 *Arrest*
2/21/20 Friday Day 1 of Trial: Opening statements by Deputy District Attorney Jill Lindberg & by Defense attorney Marcus DeBose. State witnesses: Mr. Witts (or Bricks) (Elizabeth’s father). Calandra Harris (Elizabeth's best friend). Trial continues on 2/24.
2/24/20 Monday Day 2 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 2/25.
2/25/20 Tuesday Day 3 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 2/26.
2/26/20 Wednesday Day 4 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 2/27.
2/27/20 Thursday Day 5 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 2/28.
2/28/20 Friday Day 6 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 3/2.

Tuesday, March 3rd:
*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 10:30am UK) – UK – Lindsay Birbeck (47) (from Huncoat; last seen ~ 2:30pm on Aug. 12, 2019 & walking towards Accrington on Burnley Road @ 4:06pm on CCTV; found Aug. 24, 2019 in the area of Accrington Cemetery on Burnley Road) - *16/now 17 year old arrested (8/27/19) on suspicion of murder & on charged (8/31/19) with murder. Plead not guilty. Remanded to custody.
Trial began on 2/25/20 with jury selection. Trial started on 2/26 with opening statements. Trial expected to last to 3/13 at the Preston Crown Court. Mrs. Justice Amanda Yip will be presiding judge. No court on 3/6/20. Jury: 11 women & 1 man. No court on 3/2.
The Judge has told the jry that the defendant has a moderate learning disability & suffers with ADHD & autism & finds communication more difficult than other of other people of similar age.
Jury selection (2/25/20) & Trial Days 1 & 2 (2/26 & 2/27/20) info reference post #993 here:
Found Deceased - UK - Lindsay Birbeck, 47, Accrington, 12 Aug 2019 *Arrest* #2
2/27/20 Friday Day 3: Today the jury will hear evidence about the discovery of Lindsay Birbeck’s body & from a Home Office pathologist. Her Honour Mrs. Justice Yip said these are matters that are ‘not in dispute’ between the prosecution & defense. The jury are about to be taken through a document with ‘agreed facts’. Prosecutor Simon Driver has told the jury that the timeline of events & CCTV compilations are ‘accurate unless otherwise stated’ & not challenged by the defendant. Defense barrister Mark Fenhalls QC said ‘many matters the defendant has no knowledge of.' The jury heard statement how dog walker Morgan Parkinson called the police on August 24, 2019 to say he found a body. A statement from PC Robyn has been read out to the jury, who arrived at the scene. Prosecutor David McLachlan QC said the medical evidence to be presented by Home Office pathologist Dr Naomi Carter. She told the jury the cause of death was ‘neck injuries’. Defense barrister Mark Fenhalls QC cross-examined Dr. Naomi Carter. The jury heard evidence from forensic botanist Dr Mark Spencer who attended Accrington Cemetery on August 28 - four days after Lindsay’s body was found - and examined her grave. The jury were shown images of the plastic sheeting found both at the cemetery & the defendant's home address. Evidence from forensic specialist Helen Jones echoes that of Dr Spencer's - that the plastic found at Lindsay's grave was indistinguishable from that found at the defendant's home address. The Judge has decided to adjourn early for lunch and resume the trial promptly at 2pm. The jury have been told that there are still 26 pages of agreed facts to go through today. The defendant was not in the court dock this afternoon as the trial resumes. Defense barrister Mark Fenhalls QC said he does not need to be present to hear the ‘agreed facts’ between the prosecution & defense. Detective Sergeant David Bowler read a statement from Crime Scene Investigator Alison Baldry. Shown pictures of Lindsay's grave. DNA on bin matched Lindsay. The jury were shown a picture of a pair of gloves that were recovered from Accrington Cemetery. Tests show that DNA found on the gloves belongs to both the defendant & Lindsay. Prosecutor David McLachlan QC said the ‘agreed facts’ have now been concluded. Court will be no sitting on Monday March 2 & the trial will recommence on Tuesday March 3.

Friday, March 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9:30am CT) – IL – Prof. Susan Brill De Ramirez (63) & Antonio Ramirez Barron (63) (Oct. 24, 2018-last seen, Princeville; found Oct. 30, 2018) – for *Jose Guadalupe Ramirez (21/now 22) (son) arrested & charged (10/29/18), indicted (11/5/18) & arraigned (11/15/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $3M bond. Confessed to killing his parents.
Bench trial started on 11/15/19 and ended on 11/20/19 with a guilty verdict by Judge.
Bench trial from 11/18/19 thru 11/20/19 (Day 1-3) reference post # 57 here:
Found Deceased - IL - Prof. Susan Brill De Ramirez, 63 & Antonio Ramirez Barron, 63, Princeville, Oct 2018 *Arrests
11/20/19 Update: Review hearing on 1/17/20. 1/17/20: Review hearing continued to 1/31/20.
1/31/20 Update: Sentencing hearing on 3/6.
*Matthew James Roberts (21/now 22) – 11/25/19 Update: Plead guilty by mentally ill to 1 count of 1st degree murder. Judge sentenced him to 60 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

Monday, Mar. 2nd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am CT) – PA – Baby (4mos) (July 16, 2018, Lancaster County) – Candace Parrow (23/now 24) “mom” arrested, charged & arraigned (8/13/18) with homicide, aggravated assault & strangulation. One of the murder counts the killing of Smith “after deliberation.” Each of the three other murder counts alleges that he killed her while committing another crime – robbery, burglary & sexual assault. Denied bail.
9/30/18 Update: Prelim hearing on 10/2. 10/2/18: Waived right to prelim hearing. Bound over for trial. Defense files motion for continuance, which was granted. Continuance on 2/25/19. 2/25/19: Next Suppression hearing on 9/16. 9/16/19: Next miscellaneous hearing on 12/9.
12/9/19 Update: Parrow pleaded no contest-guilty but mentally ill to third-degree murder, aggravated assault and strangulation. Under state law, guilty but mentally ill means Parrow, "as a result of mental disease or defect, lacks substantial capacity either to appreciate the wrongfulness of (her) conduct or to conform (her) conduct to the requirements of the law." No contest means that Parrow acknowledges that she would likely be found guilty if the case went to trial. It's the same as a conviction. Judge Jeffery Wright will sentence Parrow after she undergoes a psychological evaluation and presentence investigation. Criminal Homicide Guilty but Mentally Ill, Aggravated Assault Guilty but Mentally Ill and Strangulation - Blocking the Nose & Mouth of the Person Guilty but Mentally Ill. Sentencing scheduled for March 2.
3/2/20 Update: Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright sentenced Parrow to 9 to 20 years in prison.

Friday, March 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9:30am CT) – IL – Prof. Susan Brill De Ramirez (63) & Antonio Ramirez Barron (63) (Oct. 24, 2018-last seen, Princeville; found Oct. 30, 2018) – for *Jose Guadalupe Ramirez (21/now 22) (son) arrested & charged (10/29/18), indicted (11/5/18) & arraigned (11/15/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $3M bond.
Confessed to killing his parents.
Bench trial started on 11/15/19 and ended on 11/20/19 with a guilty verdict by Judge.
Bench trial from 11/18/19 thru 11/20/19 (Day 1-3) reference post # 57 here:
Found Deceased - IL - Prof. Susan Brill De Ramirez, 63 & Antonio Ramirez Barron, 63, Princeville, Oct 2018 *Arrests
11/20/19 Update: Review hearing on 1/17/20. 1/17/20: Review hearing continued to 1/31/20. 1/31/20: Sentencing hearing on 3/6.
3/6/20 Update: Judge John Vespa today sentenced the 22-year-old Ramirez to natural life in prison with no chance of parole. Defense filed motion (no info given), motion hearing on 3/27.
*Matthew James Roberts (21/now 22) – 11/25/19 Update: Plead guilty by mentally ill to 1 count of 1st degree murder. Judge sentenced him to 60 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, March 9th thru Friday, March 14th:

Monday, March 9th:
*Trial set to begin (Blackwell Case) (@ 10am CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) – only for *Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with 3 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with 3 deaths. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 3/9/20-Blackwell
*Charged with robbery & possession of firearm at Family Dollar store on 12/23/18.
Trial set to begin 3/16/20-Robbery
Robbery: pretrial hearing on 2/13/20 @ 8:30am & trial starts 3/16/20 @ 1pm.
*Maurtreyviaum “Troy” Sanders (19) (Nov. 6, 2018, Marion) – *Lemere Joseph Jones (29) charged (1/29/19) with murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with a death. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 6/15/20-Sanders
9/19/19 Update: Sanders: pretrial hearing on 1/23/20 & trial starts 2/24/20.
2/24/20 Update: Sanders: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Jury Trial originally scheduled on 2/24/20 at 1:00pm was rescheduled to 6/15/20 at 1:00pm. Reason: Court's Own Motion. Pretrial Conference scheduled for 5/14/20 at 8:30am.
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson – Blackwell: Pretrial conference hearing on 5/7/20, trial set to begin on 6/8/20. Sanders: Pretrial hearing on 5/14/20, trial set to begin on 6/15/20.
*Brittany Diann Drake – Sanders: Pretrial conference hearing on 5/14/20, trial set to begin on 6/15/20.

*Trial set to begin (@ 1:30pm ET) - PA – Nichole Pumphrey (31), her daughter, Ameriah Emery (10) & Lawrence Cannon (31) possibly BF (Oct. 16, 2018, New Castle) – only for *Anthony Lavon “Mook” Cooper, Jr. (19/now 20) arrested (10/29/18), charged (10/19/18) & arraigned (11/13/18) with 3 counts of criminal homicide, 3 counts of criminal conspiracy, 1 count of attempted murder & 1 count of carrying firearms without a license. Plead not guilty. Bail denied.
Trial set to begin on 3/9/20.
2/3/20 Update: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Trial now scheduled to begin on 3/9/20.
*Steven Procopio (19/now 20) – Next Omnibus hearing on 4/1/20. Trial set to begin on 4/6/20.
*Jody Lynn Hammer - 4/1/19: All charges are dismissed

*Trial set to begin (Day 2) (@ 10am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial starts on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Day 1-8) & Trial Day 1 (3/4/20) reference post #156 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/5/20 Thursday Day 2: State witnesses: No info available. Trial continues on Monday 3/9, as courts are dark on Fridays.

*Trial continues with Jury Selection (Day 5) (@ 9:30am PT) – CA – Denise Lampe (19) (April 1, 1976, Daly City) – *Leon Melvin Seymour (30 @ time of crime/72/now 73) charged (11/16/18) & arraigned (12/18/18) with 1st degree murder with use of deadly weapon, 1 count of attempt or use of deadly weapon, 1 count of torture & 1 count to 2 prior offenses (enhancement). Plead not guilty. $10M bond. No bond (12/14/18).
Is being housed at Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator for other kidnappings & sexually assaults going back decades. DNA match.
Trial began on 3/2/20. Court dark on Fridays.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Jury selection started. Motion in Limine filed. Jury selection continues to 3/3.
3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on 3/4.
3/4/20 Wednesday Day 3: Defendant not in court. Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on 3/5.
3/5/20 Thursday Day 4: Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on Monday, 3/9. Court dark on Fridays.

*Bench Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Opening statements by both sides. State witnesses: Alice Williams (Christina's mother). Michael Williams (Christina's father). Debbie B. (got choked by defendant May of 1979). Dina J. (raped by defendant April of 1983). Former Pacific Grove Police Chief Carl Miller (who was a detective in 1983). Trial continues on 3/4.
3/3/20 Tuesday: No court.
3/4/20 Wednesday Day 2: State witnesses: Ranger Ronnie Lewis. FBI special agent Glenn Milnor (conducted interview with Holifield). Steve Neff (owns Neff Mill and Cabinet where Holifield was employed). Rick Stemple (landlord of Holifield). Frank Johns (neighbor). Linda Silver (GR of Holifield). Former FBI special agent Richard Lack (ran the FBI’s investigation into Christina's disappearance. No other info available. Trial continues on 3/5.
3/5/20 Thursday Day 3: State witnesses: Former FBI special agent Richard Lack (ran the FBI’s investigation into Christina's disappearance. Erica Murphy (UC Santa Cruz botanist who found Christina's body). Marina police Sgt. Jeff Carr (the first official to respond). Kyle O’Connor (a Marina police officer at the time). James Miller (worked as a detective for the coroner’s division of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office in 1999). Trial continues on 3/6.
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.

*Trial continues (Day 6) (re Carrol County 2 cases) (@ am CT) – IN – Nicole Lynn Bowen (30) (missing March, 29, 2019, Jefferson Township, Newton County, found March 30, 2019) - for *Garrett Kenneth Kirts (21) arrested (4/1/19) & charged (3/28/19) with murder, resisting LE & criminal recklessness. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek life without parole. Newton County
Trial set to begin on 7/13/20.
Court info from 6/12/19 thru 12/13/19 reference post #331 here:
Found Deceased - IN - Newton County, Fem, 30 Mar 2019 - Nicole Bowen
12/18/19 Update: State’s motion to set jury trial on 1/6/20 & disposition hearing on 1/8/20. Newton County Prosecutor Jeff Drinski said Wednesday that plea negotiations with Kirts had broken down. Kirts was in line to get a 45-year sentence under terms offered. Drinski said he since pulled the deal & will go to trial in a case where he plans to ask for life without parole. Trial set to begin on 7/13.
1/6/20 Update: Disposition hearing on 1/8/20 is cancelled. Trial is scheduled to start on 7/13/20. 1/22/20: Discovery motion filed. No update as of 3/5.
*Charged (1/20/19) with strangulation & domestic battery. Carroll County #08D01-1901-F6-000013
Trial began on 3/2/20.
*Charged (2/21/19) with 2 counts of invasion of privacy. Violates an order issued under I.C. 35-33-8-3.2. No plea entered. Carroll County #08D01-1903-CM-000087
Trial began on 3/2/20.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1 (both cases): No info available. Trial continues on 3/3. 3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4. 3/4/20 Wednesday Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 3/5. 3/5/20 Thursday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on 3/6.
3/6/20 Friday Day 5: No info available. Trial continues on 3/9.
*Charged (2/20/19) with theft where value of property is between $750 to $50K. Tippercanoe County
4/1/19 Update: Initial hearing on 4/1/19 & issued arrest warrant. 3/7/19: Probable cause found to head for trial. No update as of 3/5/20.
*Charged (4/5/19) Charged Assisting a criminal (same as 3901), but the criminal assisted committed murder (F5) Newton Superior Court
This case ^^ was resolved-Dismissed without prejudice.
*Ashley N. Garth (26) – Final pretrial hearing on 5/15/20. No trial date set.
*Christopher Channing Mathis (27) – Next Final pretrial hearing on 5/1/20. No trial date set.
*Talitha Ann Beckley (36) – Trial set to begin 6/1/20.
*Jasmine Nicole Parker (34) – 10/8/19: Plead guilty. According to the plea agreement, Parker also will serve four years in prison for being a habitual offender, based on felony convictions in 2018 for unlawful possession of a syringe in Jasper County and in 2004 for burglary in Tippecanoe County.

*Jury Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8:45am ET) – GA – newborn found in freezer (born ~ 6/7-11; found 6/26/18) – *Carol June Sautter-Williams (45/now 46) arrested & charged (6/25/18), indicted (1/10/20) & arraigned (2/16/20) with felony concealing a death (felony) & making a false statement (felony). Plead not guilty. No bail. Judge grants bond @ $33,200.
Trial began on 3/2/20 (thru 3/9/20).
1/10/20 Update: Grand Jury indicts Sautter on concealing a death & making a false statement. Arraignment hearing on 2/6/20. 2/6/20: Plead not guilty. Jury selection starts 2/27/20 and trial starts 3/2 thru 3/9.
2/27/20 Thursday Day 1 of Jury Selection: No info available. Continues on 2/28. 2/28/20 Friday Day 2 of Jury Selection. No info available. Trial starts on Monday, 3/2.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 3/3. 3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4. 3/4/20 Wednesday Day 3 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 3/5. 3/5/20 Thursday Day 4 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 3/6.
3/6/20 Friday Day 5: No info available. Trial continues on 3/9.

*Trial continues (Day 9)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ am MT) – ID – Lyryk Altom (20 mos.) (Oct. 8, 2017, Twin Falls-taken to hospital & died Oct. 14, 2017) – for *Joshua Eric Molina (33/now 35) (BF) arrested & charged (March/2017) & arraigned (5/30/18) on 1st degree murder & 1 count felony injury to a child. Plead not guilty.
Trial began on 2/25/20 for Molina only.
Court info & Trial (Day 1 to 3) info from 10/9/18 thru 2/18/20 reference post #105 here:
ID - Lyryk Altom, 20 mos, died of blunt force trauma from mother & bf, Twin Falls, Oct 2017
3/2/20 Monday Day 4: State witness: Amanda Dunlap. No other info available. Trial continues on 3/3. 3/3/20 Tuesday Day 5: No info available. State rested their case. Trial continues on 3/4. 3/4/20 Wednesday Day 6: Defense witnesses: Molina’s sister. Joshua Molina. No info available. Trial continues on 3/5. 3/5/20 Thursday Day 7: Defense continues but no info. Trial continues on 3/6.
3/6/20 Friday Day 8: Closing arguments done. Jury sent out for deliberations at 2pm to 5pm unable to reach a verdict. Jury deliberations continue on 3/9.
*Amanda Jean Dunlap (23) “mom” – Next Status conference hearing on 3/17/20.

*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 2pm UK) – UK – Lindsay Birbeck (47) (from Huncoat; last seen ~ 2:30pm on Aug. 12, 2019 & walking towards Accrington on Burnley Road @ 4:06pm on CCTV; found Aug. 24, 2019 in the area of Accrington Cemetery on Burnley Road) - *16/now 17 year old arrested (8/27/19) on suspicion of murder & on charged (8/31/19) with murder. Plead not guilty. Remanded to custody.
Trial began on 2/25/20 with jury selection. Trial started on 2/26 with opening statements. Trial expected to last to 3/13 at the Preston Crown Court. Mrs. Justice Amanda Yip will be presiding judge. No court on 3/6/20. Jury: 11 women & 1 man.
The Judge has told the jury that the defendant has a moderate learning disability & suffers with ADHD & autism & finds communication more difficult than other of other people of similar age.
Jury selection Day 1 (2/25/20) & Trial Days 2 to 6 (2/26 & 3/4/20) info reference post #621 here:
Found Deceased - UK - Lindsay Birbeck, 47, Accrington, 12 Aug 2019 *Arrest* #3
3/5/20 Thursday Day 7: Another delay this morning with heating problems, but it is fixed. The Judge has told the jury that we are now ‘coming towards the end of the prosecution case’. She said it maybe another shorter day and the jury could be sent home early. Prosecutor David McLachlan QC took the jury details of the defendant’s arrest & interview at Greenbank Police Station. He explains the defendant was interviewed five times on August 29, three times on August 30, & three times on August 31. The jury was read the statement from the defendant provided on August 30, 2019. (He did not kill Lindsay). See post #640 here: Found Deceased - UK - Lindsay Birbeck, 47, Accrington, 12 Aug 2019 *Arrest* #3 Prosecutor witness: Detective Sergeant David Bowler (took the jury through clothing comparisons of the defendant as seen on CCTV on August 12, 16 & 17 a tracksuit recovered from his home). Mr. McLachlan took the jury through more agreed facts between the prosecution & defense. The first is DNA from a blood swap & hair recovered from the blue wheelie bin at Accrington Cemetery which was then store at Dill Hall Cemetery. The second is DNA from a right Sketchers trainers recovered from a blue plastic carrier bag in a large skip which had been at the cemetery. Jurors were told about DNA found on gloves recovered from Accrington Cemetery (Lindsay's & defendant's). The jury was shown different walkthrough videos of footpaths in the Hillock Vale area of Accrington, near to the Whitakers Arms on Burnley Road. This is where the defendant was seen walking with the blue wheelie bin. The jury were shown more points on their map in order to clarify where the key locations are. Mark Fenalls QC cross-examined DS Bowler. Prosecutor David McLachlan QC said they have nearly completed their case. The jurors have been sent away until Monday, March 9 at 2pm. as the trial is not sitting tomorrow. Details will then be given about plans for Monday & what time the jurors need to arrive. Change of plan: the court will reconvene after lunch at 2pm, but no evidence will be heard this afternoon.

*Jury Trial continues (Day 12)-Closing Arguments (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27/now 28) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial began on 1/15/20 with jury selection. Trial started on 2/5/20 with opening statements.
Court hearings & trial (Days 1 to 9) info from 7/25/18 thru 2/20/20 reference post #95 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
2/21/20: Friday Day 10: Defense witness: Psychiatrist Jeremy Coles. No other info available yet. Trial continues on Monday, 2/24.
2/24/20 Monday Day 11: Cowell was not in courtroom. Defense rests. Prosecutors called their last rebuttal witness a psychiatrist. Closing arguments will be on 3/9.

Tuesday, March 10th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 8:30am CT) – TX – Anthony Tyrone “Burt” Woodson (5) (reported missing Aug. 29, 1981, Mansfield; not found) – *Terry Lee Woodson (27 @ time of crime/64/now 65) arrested (8/16/18) & charged (8/24/18) with murder. $200K bond.
Case was reopened May, 2017 TW told LE his wife beat Burt & he dumped him near a dirt road; a year later (Mar., 2018) admits to beating his nephew per his wife’s orders (about 8/27 or 28). Wife has since divorced him & has died.
Trial set to begin on 3/10/20.


Continued on next post...

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, March 11th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL - Myles Hill (3) (Aug. 7, 2017, Orlando) - Deborah Denise St. Charles (51/now 53) (Day care driver) - charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child; not an approved driver for day care center. Plead not guilty. Bail @ $30,000. Bail was reduced to $2500. Released on bond.
Trial was set for 3/25/19, moved to June 3, 2019, moved to 8/12/19 & moved to 9/16/19 & moved to 10/28/19.
10/25/19 Update: Plead no contest to manslaughter by culpable negligence, which is a 2nd degree felony. Sentencing scheduled on 1/7/20.
1/7/20 Update: Judge John E. Jordan recused himself from the case, reassigned to Judge Renee Route. Sentencing rescheduled for 2/10.
2/10/20 Update: Sentencing was rescheduled. 2/19/20: Motion to Permit witness to testify via video teleconference. To permit defendant's son Keimyon Brown to testify via video teleconference. Sentencing scheduled for 3/11/20.

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm PT) – WA – Benjamin Eastman III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Jonathon Robert Adamson (21/now 22) arrested (6/30/18), charged (7/2/18) & arraigned (7/11/18 & 3/7/19) with a total of 10 counts- 1st degree aggravated murder, 1st degree aggravated assault, 1st degree kidnapping, 1st degree rape, 1st degree rendering criminal assistance, unlawful disposal of remains, 2 counts of tampering with physical evidence & 2 counts of tampering with a witness. Plead not guilty to all charges. $10M bond.
Trial was set to start 8/5/19, plead guilty instead.
Court info from 3/17/19 thru 8/29/19 reference post #429 here:
Found Deceased - WA - Ben Eastman, 16, raped and murdered, Lewis County, 23 Jun 2018 *B. Marquez GUILTY*
10/3/19 Update: Plead guilty. Set Sentencing hearing continued to 11/7. 11/7/19: Set Sentencing hearing continued (again) to 1/9/20. 1/9/20: Sentencing hearing set for 3/11/20. 2/4/20: Has changed his mind & wants to change his plea.
ALSO:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm PT) – WA – Benjamin Eastman III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Benito “Benny” S. Marquez (16/now 17) arrested (7/2/18) & charged (7/2/18) & arraigned (7/19/18) with 1st degree murder, 1st degree rape, tampering with physical evidence & unlawful disposal of remains. Plead not guilty. $10M bond each.
Marquez is charged as adult. Can have contact w/family except those charged.
7/19/18 Update: Next: Review hearing/set trial date on 10/18. 10/18/18: Trial date has been set. Next Omnibus hearing on 12/20, Trial Confirmation hearing on 3/28/19-cancelled, and trial starts 4/1/19-cancelled.
2/14/19 Update: Will be pleading guilty, plea hearing on 2/22. 2/22/19 Guilty plea entered. The two sides agreed on a recommended sentence of more than 34 years. Because Marquez was 16 at the time of the crime, he can petition for release after 20 years. Review hearing on 3/28. Judge will wait to sentence Marquez until after he appears as a witness in the trial of his older brother, Jonathan Adamson.
3/28/19 Update: Plea entered. Review hearing on 5/2. 5/2/19 Update: Review hearing continued to 6/6 @ 1pm.
6/6/19 Update: Hearing continued to 6/14. 6/14/19: Officially plead guilty. 12/18/19: Defense motion for investigator @ public expense-granted. Sentencing on 3/11/20.
ALSO:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm PT) – WA – Benjamin Eastman III (16) (June 23, 2018, Randle; found June 28, 2018) – for *Kindra Rose Adamson (43/now 44) arrested (7/10/18) & charged (7/11/18) & arraigned (7/19/18) with 2 counts of 1st degree Rendering Criminal Assistance. Plead not guilty. Was a $1M bond, Judge reduced it to $100K. Also allowed to reside in County other than Lewis if/when she’s released.
She knew of murder 6/23-24; withheld info from LE.
8/9/18 Update: hearing cancelled to 8/10 for Plea Change Hearing. Other dates stay the same. 8/10/18 Update: Plead guilty to rendering criminal assistance. Faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, but under State guidelines more than likely will face a prison term of 12 to 14 months. As a condition of a plea bargain will likely be called by the state to testify against her sons. As part of the plea agreement, if she follows all the conditions of her release, one of the felony counts would be knocked down to a misdemeanor, with a recommended sentence of credit for time served.
8/18/18 Update: Sentencing set for 10/25 was cancelled, had review hearing on 11/29. Will be sentenced last. Review hearing 1/10. 1/24/19: Both sides ask for continuance. Review hearing on 2/28. 2/28/29: Next Review hearing on 3/28.
3/28/19 Update: Review hearing continued to 5/2. 5/2/19: Review hearing stricken. Sentencing scheduled on 3/11/20.
*Michael D. Salazar (17) – Plea Only hearing on 5/1/20.
*Amanda Lyn Hagerty (42) – Trial confirmation hearing on 5/7/20. Trial set to begin on 5/11/20.
*Jerald E. Thompson (24) – Trial confirmation hearing on 4/30/20. Trial set to begin on 5/4/20.
*Emma L. Brown (20) – Plead guilty. Sentenced on 9/5/19 & will be credited for time served.

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am PT) – WA – Hartley Anderson (5) (Nov. 2, 2018, Vancouver) - *Ryan Mason Burge (37/now 38) (BF of mom) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/9/18) & arraigned (12/4/18) with 1st & 2nd degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bond, reduced (2/14/19) to $1.5M.
Jury trial began on 2/3/20 and ended 2/13/20 with guilty on 2nd degree murder.
Trial info from 2/3/20 thru 2/12/20 reference post #32 here:
WA - Hartley Anderson, 5, murdered by mother's boyfriend, Vancouver, 2 Nov 2018
2/13/20 Thursday Day 9: Jury set for deliberations. A Clark County Superior Court jury found Burge guilty of second-degree murder. Jurors were undecided on a charge of first-degree murder but found Burge was guilty of a lesser included charge of manslaughter. The second-degree murder charge was the second count against Burge. The jury also determined that Burge was guilty of several factors that made his crime particularly egregious, including that Hartley was vulnerable & he betrayed a position of trust. His sentencing was set for March 11.

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2pm ET) - OH - Shannon Elizabeth Graves (28) (Missing Feb. 2017, Youngstown; found in freezer July 2017) – for *Andrew A. Herrmann (27/now 28) arrested (8/30/18), indicted (8/29/18) & charged (9/4/18) with 11 counts of tampering with evidence, 1 count of abuse of a corpse, 1 count of obstruction of justice & 1 count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. No bond set.
*Indicted (6/13/19), charged & arraigned (6/25/19) with aggravated trafficking in drugs. Plead not guilty. No bond.
Trial was to begin 8/19/19 for drugs-cancelled
5/30/19 Update: Motion to continue trial-granted. Next pretrial hearing on 7/18.
6/26/19 Update: Arraignment on charges aggravated trafficking in drugs. Plead not guilty. Transferred to another judge. Next “Notes for Court” hearing on 7/11, trial scheduled for 8/19. 7/11/19: Pretrial hearing on 7/23 re drugs.
7/18/19 Update: Tampering: Next pretrial hearing on 11/6. 7/23/19: Drugs: waived speedy trial. Trial on 8/19 has been cancelled. Had pretrial hearing on 7/18 & 9/4, next 10/29 @1pm & Pretrial hearing on 11/6.
11/6/19 Update: Hearing continued to 1/17/20. 1/17/20: Plea hearing on 2/27/20.
2/27/20 Update: Herrmann took a plea deal and plead guilty to tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and unrelated aggravated trafficking with gun specifications. Sentencing scheduled on 3/11/20.
*Michelle Lee Ihlenfeld (27/now 28) – Plead guilty to all charges. Sentenced to an additional 6 mos. after being in jail for 2 years.
*Arturo Novoa (31) – Plead guilty. 6/14/19: Sentenced to 48 years to life in prison.
*Katrina L. Layton (36) – Plead guilty. 1/29/20: Sentenced to 18 years in prison.

*Victim Impact Statements Hearing (both cases) (@ am PT) - CA - Amanda Crews (38) (GF), her daughters Rachael (6 mos.) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5 yrs) his niece murdered (in Modesto July 18, 2015) - *Martin Martinez (32) accused & indicted (2/8/16) of 5 counts of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M bail. DA seeks DP. Also for the murder of Christopher Ripley (2 yrs) GF son on Sept. 30, 2014 indicted & arraigned (7/23/15) on 1 count of 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty; 2 cases have been combined.
Court info from 8/29/18 thru 6/3/19 reference post #141 here:
CA - Two women, three kids found slain in Modesto home, 18 July 2015
6/6/19: Next “Set trial date” hearing on 9/16.
2/18/20 Update: Plead guilty to killing Amanda Crews, her daughters Rachael (6 mos.) & Elizabeth (6 yrs), Anna Brown Romero (57) his mom & Esmeralda Navarro (5) & also plead guilty to killing Christopher Ripley. For the five murders, Martinez was sentenced to five consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole, the DA’s office said. For the toddler’s death, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison, which will be served concurrently. Martinez is scheduled to appear in court on March 12 for family members to provide victim impact statements.

*Trial continues (Day 12)-Closing Arguments (@ 9am PT) – CA – Elizabeth Sullivan (31) (reported missing Oct. 14, 2014, San Diego; found Oct. 4, 2016 in San Diego Bay) – *Matthew Scott Sullivan (29 @ time of crime/33/now 35) “husband” arrested (1/31/18 in Wyoming, Delaware, extradited 2/9/18), charged & arraigned (3/4/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $2M bond.
Trial began on 2/18/20 with jury selection, trial started on 2/21/20. Trial expected to last to 3/20/20.
Jury Selection from 2/10/20 thru 2/20/20 reference post #313 here:
Found Deceased - CA - Elizabeth Sullivan, 31, San Diego, 13 Oct 2014 *Arrest*
2/21/20 Friday Day 1 of Trial: Opening statements by Deputy District Attorney Jill Lindberg & by Defense attorney Marcus DeBose. State witnesses: Mr. Ricks (Elizabeth’s father). Calandra Harris (Elizabeth's best friend). Trial continues on 2/24.
2/24/20 Monday Day 2 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 2/25. 2/25/20 Tuesday Day 3 of Trial: No info available yet. Trial continues on 2/26. 2/26/20 Wednesday Day 4 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 2/27. 2/27/20 Thursday Day 5 of Trial: No info available. Trial continues on 2/28. 2/28/20 Friday Day 6 of Trial: Not sure IF court was in session, as CA. courts are usually dark on Fridays. No info available. Trial continues on 3/2. 3/2/20 Monday Day 7: No info available. Trial continues on 3/3. 3/3/20 Tuesday Day 8: No info available. Trial continues on 3/4. 3/4/20 Wednesday Day 9: No info available. Trial continues on 3/5. 3/5/20 Thursday Day 10: No info available. Trial continues on 3/6.
3/6/20 Friday Day 11: State rests their case. Defense witnesses: 2 Sheriff Officers. Ronald Agustin (works for City Parks & Recreation). Sullivan did not testify. Closing arguments & jury instructions before they start deliberations will begin on 3/11.

Thursday, March 12th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 8am PT) – AZ – Kiera Lana Bergman (19) (missing Aug. 4, 2018, Glendale; not reported until Aug. 6, 2018; found Sept. 3, 2018) – *Jon-Christopher Marcus Clark (23/now 24) (BF) charged (9/11/18) & arraigned (9/21/18), indicted (5/14/19) & re-arraigned (5/21/19) with 2nd degree intentional murder & tampering with physical evidence. Plead not guilty. Bond set at $1M CASH only.
Trial set to begin on 3/12/20.
ALSO:
*Status Hearing (@ 8am PT) - Other case: Jon-Christopher Marcus Clark (23/now 24) arrested (8/17/18) & charged (8/18/18) with 22 counts of aggravated identity theft & 2 counts of forgery. Plead not guilty. $25K bond.
Trial was set to begin on 11/8/19-continued
Clark had a warrant from out of state, but was also booked in Phoenix with the new charges. Also violated probation on another charge (not stated) & will also be heard at this hearing on 8/24.
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 8/7/19 reference post #837 here:
Found Deceased - AZ - Kiera Bergman, 19, Glendale, 4 August 2018 *Arrest*
9/26/19: Trial is vacated. Pretrial hearing on 10/29. 10/29/19: Next status hearing on 2/6 & 2/13/20. 2/6/20: Next status conference hearing on 2/13 & 3/6. 2/13/20: Next Status hearing on 3/6. 3/6/20: Next status hearing on 3/12.

 

[Niner]

Update:

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2pm ET) - OH - Shannon Elizabeth Graves (28) (Missing Feb. 2017, Youngstown; found in freezer July 2017) – for *Andrew A. Herrmann (27/now 28) arrested (8/30/18), indicted (8/29/18) & charged (9/4/18) with 11 counts of tampering with evidence, 1 count of abuse of a corpse, 1 count of obstruction of justice & 1 count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. No bond set.
*Indicted (6/13/19), charged & arraigned (6/25/19) with aggravated trafficking in drugs. Plead not guilty. No bond.
Trial was to begin 8/19/19 for drugs-cancelled
5/30/19 Update: Motion to continue trial-granted. Next pretrial hearing on 7/18.
6/26/19 Update: Arraignment on charges aggravated trafficking in drugs. Plead not guilty. Transferred to another judge. Next “Notes for Court” hearing on 7/11, trial scheduled for 8/19. 7/11/19: Pretrial hearing on 7/23 re drugs.
7/18/19 Update: Tampering: Next pretrial hearing on 11/6. 7/23/19: Drugs: waived speedy trial. Trial on 8/19 has been cancelled. Had pretrial hearing on 7/18 & 9/4, next 10/29 @1pm & Pretrial hearing on 11/6. 11/6/19: Hearing continued to 1/17/20. 1/17/20: Plea hearing on 2/27/20.
2/27/20 Update: Herrmann took a plea deal and plead guilty to tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and unrelated aggravated trafficking with gun specifications. Sentencing scheduled on 3/11/20.
3/11/20 Update: Herrmann was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
*Michelle Lee Ihlenfeld (27/now 28) – Plead guilty to all charges. Sentenced to an additional 6 mos. after being in jail for 2 years.
*Arturo Novoa (31) – Plead guilty. 6/14/19: Sentenced to 48 years to life in prison.
*Katrina L. Layton (36) – Plead guilty. 1/29/20: Sentenced to 18 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, March 10th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2:30pm ET) - FL - Myles Hill (3) (Aug. 7, 2017, Orlando) - Deborah Denise St. Charles (51/now 53) (Day care driver) - charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child; not an approved driver for day care center. Plead not guilty. Bail @ $30,000. Bail was reduced to $2500. Released on bond. Orange County #2017-CF-010274-A-O DOB 5/21/66
Trial was set for 3/25/19, moved to June 3, 2019, moved to 8/12/19 & moved to 9/16/19 & moved to 10/28/19.
10/25/19 Update: Plead no contest to manslaughter by culpable negligence, which is a 2nd degree felony. Sentencing scheduled on 1/7/20.
1/7/20 Update: Judge John E. Jordan recused himself from the case, reassigned to Judge Renee Route. Sentencing rescheduled for 2/10.
2/10/20 Update: Sentencing was rescheduled. 2/19/20: Motion to Permit witness to testify via video teleconference. To permit defendant's son Keimyon Brown to testify via video teleconference. Sentencing scheduled for 3/11/20.
3/11/20 Update: Sentenced to 10 years probation.

 

[Niner]

Update!

*Trial continues (Day 14)-Verdict Reached! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Elizabeth Sullivan (31) (reported missing Oct. 14, 2014, San Diego; found Oct. 4, 2016 in San Diego Bay) – *Matthew Scott Sullivan (29 @ time of crime/33/now 35) “husband” arrested (1/31/18 in Wyoming, Delaware, extradited 2/9/18), charged & arraigned (3/4/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $2M bond.
Trial began on 2/18/20 with jury selection, trial started on 2/21/20 and ended on 3/11/20. Trial expected to last to 3/20/20. Jury: 7 men/5 women & 4 alternates.
Jury Selection from 2/10/20 thru 2/20/20 & Trial (Day 1-10) 2/21/20 to 3/6/20 reference post #371 here:
Found Deceased - CA - Elizabeth Sullivan, 31, San Diego, 13 Oct 2014 *Arrest*
3/11/20 Wednesday Day 12: Closing Arguments. Judge gave jury instructions. Jury started deliberations late afternoon. Jury continues deliberations on 3/12.
3/12/20 Thursday Day 13: Jury still deliberating. Continues on 3/13.
3/13/20 Friday Day 14: Just over a day of deliberations, the jury panel acquitted Sullivan of a first-degree murder charge, but convicted him of second-degree murder, plus an allegation of using a knife in the killing. Sentencing is scheduled for April 13.

 

[Niner]

Not too sure if all these will be happening since the coronavirus is cancelling trials, etc.

For the week of Monday, March 16 thru Friday, March 20th:

Monday, March 16th:
*Trial set to begin (Robbery Case) (@ 1pm CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) – only for *Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with 3 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with 3 deaths. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Bench Trial began on 3/10/20-Blackwell-found guilty of all charges; no sentencing date yet as of 3/15/20.
*Charged with robbery & possession of firearm at Family Dollar store on 12/23/18.
Trial set to begin 3/16/20-Robbery
6/10/19 Update: Trial was continued. Next Robbery etc. charge pretrial hearing on 8/22, trial set for 9/23. Robbery: pretrial hearing on 2/13/20 @ 8:30am & trial starts 3/16/20 @ 1pm.
*Maurtreyviaum “Troy” Sanders (19) (Nov. 6, 2018, Marion) – *Lemere Joseph Jones (29) charged (1/29/19) with murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with a death. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 6/15/20-Sanders
9/19/19 Update: Sanders: pretrial hearing on 1/23/20 & trial starts 2/24/20. 2/24/20 Update: Sanders: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Jury Trial originally scheduled on 2/24/20 at 1:00pm was rescheduled to 6/15/20 at 1:00pm. Reason: Court's Own Motion. Pretrial Conference scheduled for 5/14/20 at 8:30am.
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson – Blackwell: Pretrial conference hearing on 5/7/20, trial set to begin on 6/28/20. Sanders: Pretrial hearing on 5/14/20, trial set to begin on 6/15/20.
*Brittany Diann Drake – Sanders: Pretrial conference hearing on 5/14/20, trial set to begin on 6/15/20.

*Jury Trial set to begin (murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial set to begin on 3/16/20 with jury selection.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Update: Jury selection begins on 3/16.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20.

*Bench Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
Trial info from (Day 1-3 3/2/20 to 3/5/20) reference post #92 here:
CA - CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998
3/6/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/9.
3/9/20 Monday Day 5: State witnesses: Forensic anthropologist (who worked the autopsy-no name given). Eric Halsing (Senior criminologist who specializes in forensic DNA analysis at the State Dept. of Justice’s Jan Bashinski Laboratory in Richmond). Dr. Alison Galloway (retired UC Santa Cruz anthropology professor, performed autopsy). The prosecution rested their case. Trial will resume of 3/16.

*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 8:30am CT) – TX – Anthony Tyrone “Burt” Woodson (5) (reported missing Aug. 29, 1981, Mansfield; not found) – *Terry Lee Woodson (27 @ time of crime/64/now 65) arrested (8/16/18) & charged (8/24/18) with murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond.
Case was reopened May, 2017 TW told LE his wife beat Burt & he dumped him near a dirt road; a year later (Mar., 2018) admits to beating his nephew per his wife’s orders (about 8/27 or 28). Wife has since divorced him & has died.
Trial began on 3/10/20.
3/10/20 Tuesday Day 1: Jury selection. No other info available. Trial continues on 3/11. 3/11/20 Wednesday Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on 3/12. 3/12/20 Thursday Day 3: No info available. Trial continues on 3/13.
3/13/20 Friday Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 3/16.

*Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-5 (3/4/20 thru 3/11/20) reference post #166 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/12/20 Thursday, Day 6: State witnesses: Jim McCormack (Kathie Durst's brother). Marion Watlington (Kathie Durst's friend). Virginia McKeon (Kathie Durst's sister). LAPD officer Rashad Sharif (on patrol the day Susan's body found). Court is adjourned until 9 a.m. Monday, 3/16.

*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Denise Lampe (19) (April 1, 1976, Daly City) – *Leon Melvin Seymour (30 @ time of crime/72/now 73) charged (11/16/18) & arraigned (12/18/18) with 1st degree murder with use of deadly weapon, 1 count of attempt or use of deadly weapon, 1 count of torture & 1 count to 2 prior offenses (enhancement). Plead not guilty. $10M bond. No bond (12/14/18).
Is being housed at Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator for other kidnappings & sexually assaults going back decades. DNA match.
Trial began on 3/2/20. Court dark on Fridays.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Jury selection started. Motion in Limine filed. Jury selection continues to 3/3. 3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on 3/4. 3/4/20 Wednesday: Defendant not in court. No Jury selection tody. Jury selection continues on 3/5. 3/5/20 Thursday Day 3: Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on Monday, 3/9. Court dark on Fridays. 3/9/20 Monday Day 4: Jury selection continued. Trial continues on 3/10. 3/10/20 Tuesday Day 5: People's Motions to Exclude All Witnesses on Proposed Witness List. No other info available. Trial continues on 3/11. 3/11/20 Wednesday Day 6: No info available. Trial continues on 3/12.
3/12/20 Thursday Day 7: People’s evidence. Trial continues on Monday, 3/16.

*Trial set to begin –Postponed (@ 9am CT) - NE - Sydney Loofe (24) (Nov. 15, 2017, Lincoln; found Dec. 4 & 5, 2017) – for *Bailey M. Boswell (23/now 24) charged & indicted (6/11/18) & arraigned (8/6/18) with 1st degree murder & improper disposal of human remains & charged (3/1/19) with conspiracy to commit murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA will seek DP.
*Charged (8/9/19) with conspiracy to commit murder. Plead not guilty.
Trial was set to begin on 3/16/20 (thru 4/10/20) has been postponed. Saline County to Lexington, Dawson County for trial.
3/3/20 Update: Trial had been set to begin on March 16 in Lexington, but Saline County District Judge Vicky Johnson issued an order Tuesday (3/3/20) postponing the trial until further notice because of a serious medical emergency in her family.
3/13/20 Update: Next trial date has been set for 9/23/20.
*Aubrey C. Trail (51/now 52) – Found guilty of all charges 7/8/19. A 3-judge panel will hear penalty phase. 11/15/19: Judge denies Trail’s death penalty challenge. Judge denies motion for new trial. Aggravation & Mitigation hearings on 6/23 thru 6/26/20.


Continued on next post....

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, March 18th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9:30am CT) – KS – Tamara Loraine Tucker (50) (Jan. 19, 2018, on Cruise ship) - *Eric Duane Newman (53/now 54) arrested, arraigned & indicted (9/6/18) by DOJ with 2nd degree murder. Plead not guilty. Free on $50K bond (9/18/18).
Fell from her balcony to several decks below on a Carnival cruise ship (celebrating her 50th birthday). Was previous arrested for domestic battery & criminal damage to property in Shawnee County.
Court info from 9/18/18 thru 9/27/19 reference post #44 here:
Kansas husband accused of killing wife, Tamara Tucker, 50, on cruise ship, 19 Jan 2018
10/30/19 Update: No info on evidentiary hearing yet. Next status conference hearing on 12/10. 12/10/19: Next Plea hearing on 12/18/19.
12/18/19 Update: Plead guilty to 2nd degree murder with malice aforethought. He faces a 12-year prison term followed by five years of probation. Sentencing is on 3/18/20.

Friday, March 20th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Murder case) (@ 9am CT) – IL – Holly Cassano (22) (Nov. 2, 2009, Mahomet) – *Michael F.A. Henslick (21 @ time of crime/30/now 31) arrested (8/29/18) originally for violation of a no-contact order & arraigned & charged (8/29/18) on 3 counts intentional 1st degree murder & 1 count of murder. Plead not guilty. $10M bond.
*Charged (5/18/18) with possession of control substance & criminal damage to property, domestic battery & contact violation.
12/3/19 Update: Motion for continuance granted. Possession & domestic battery case: pretrial hearing on 3/10/20. 3/10/20: DA has dismissed these charges.
DNA testing by Parabon Nanolabs.
Trial began on 2/10/20 with jury selection for murder charge. Trial should last 1 week. Jurors: 8 women & 4 men. Trial ended 2/4/20 with a guilty verdict.
2/14/20 Friday Day 4 of Trial: Closing arguments by both sides. Jury instructions. Jury sent to deliberate. It took the jurors about an hour for a verdict of guilty. The jury has asked that he receive a life sentence. His official sentencing will be March 20.

*Sentencing Hearing (re murder) (@ 10am MT) – CO – Baby boy (10 wks.) (Dec. 29, 2018, Pueblo West; died of extreme malnourishment) - *Jannie Gatlin (24/now 26) “mom” arrested & charged (1/4/18) with child abuse resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $200K bond.
Trial was set to begin on 5/4/20 to 5/12/20-Murder, was cancelled with a guilty plea. Trial was set to start on 9/3/19 for child-continued no date.
Court info from 1/8/19 thru 8/27/19 reference post #52 here:
CO - Boy, 10 weeks, died of extreme malnourishment, Pueblo County, 29 Dec 2018 *mom arrested*
9/23/19 Update: Murder: Arraignment hearing on 10/17. Child: Disposition hearing on 10/31. 10/17/19: Murder: Arraignment hearing rescheduled for 11/14. 10/31/19: Child: Last hearing was on 11/4. 11/4/19: Next hearing Child on 11/12. 11/12/19: Child: Setting hearing on 11/18. 11/14/19: Murder: Next Setting hearing on 12/19, Pretrial Readiness Conference hearing on 4/3/20. Trial starts on 5/4/20 to 5/12/20. 11/18/19: Child: Next Disposition hearing on 1/6/20. 1/6/20 Update: Child: Next Review hearing on 3/2/20.
12/17/19 Update: Setting hearing (murder) on 12/19/19 has been moved to 1/16/20. 1/16/20: Murder: Plea & Sentencing hearing on 1/29/20. 1/29/20: Murder: Plead guilty. Sentencing hearing on 3/20.
ALSO:
*Status Conference Hearing (re child) (@ 11am MT) – CO – Baby boy (10 wks) (Dec. 29, 2018, Pueblo West; died of extreme malnourishment) - *Jannie Gatlin (24/now 26) “mom” arrested & charged (1/4/18) with child abuse resulting in death. $200K bond.
3/2/20 Update: Child: Next Status hearing on 3/20/20 & Sentencing for Murder on 3/20/20.

*Trial set to begin (@ 9am ET) - TN – Baby boy (16 mos.) (Nov. 10, 2018, Lawrenceburg; raped by father, suffered 2 broken femurs or fractured hips, had several surgeries, will suffer damage that will last his life) -*Danielle Faith Bowen (22/now 23) “mom” arrested (11/19/18) & charged (2/18/19) & arraigned (5/6/19) with aggravated child abuse/neglect/endangerment, failing to seek medical attention. Plea deal offered. $100K bond.
Babysitter noticed injuries 2 days later & took him to hospital.
Trial set to begin 3/20/20.
*Simon Dean Porter (33) – 2/12/20: Found guilty – sentencing on 4/3/20. He faces between 40-85 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, March 20th:
*Trial set to begin-Continued! (@ 9am ET) - TN – Baby boy (16 mos.) (Nov. 10, 2018, Lawrenceburg; raped by father, suffered 2 broken femurs or fractured hips, had several surgeries, will suffer damage that will last his life) -*Danielle Faith Bowen (22/now 23) “mom” arrested (11/19/18) & charged (2/18/19) & arraigned (5/6/19) with aggravated child abuse/neglect/endangerment, failing to seek medical attention. Plea deal offered. $100K bond.
Babysitter noticed injuries 2 days later & took him to hospital.
Trial was set to begin on 3/20/20 continued to 7/1/20.
3/13/20 Update: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Trial is now scheduled for 7/1/20.
*Simon Dean Porter (33) – 2/12/20: Found guilty – sentencing on 4/3/20. He faces between 40-85 years in prison.

 

[StarrDetective]

What about Megan Fieramusca? Any updates? TIA!

 

[Niner]

What about Megan Fieramusca? Any updates? TIA!

Pretrial hearing on 3/27. Here's a link to Heidi's thread:
Found Deceased - TX - Heidi Broussard, 33, Austin, 12 Dec 2019 *friend, Magen Fieramusca charged* #12

I'm only posting sentencings & trials that start or ongoing every week on this thread.

 

[Niner]

Updates!

Monday, Mar. 16th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (Robbery Case) (@ 1pm CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) – only for *Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with 3 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with 3 deaths. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Bench Trial began on 3/10/20-Blackwell-found guilty of all charges; sentencing date is 4/3.
*Charged with robbery & possession of firearm at Family Dollar store on 12/23/18.
Trial was set to begin on 3/16/20 continued to 6/29/20-Robbery
6/10/19 Update: Trial was continued. Next Robbery etc. charge pretrial hearing on 8/22, trial set for 9/23. Robbery: pretrial hearing on 2/13/20 @ 8:30am & trial starts 3/16/20 @ 1pm.
3/16/20 Update: Trial has been continued to 6/29.
*Maurtreyviaum “Troy” Sanders (19) (Nov. 6, 2018, Marion) – *Lemere Joseph Jones (29) charged (1/29/19) with murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with a death. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 6/15/20-Sanders
9/19/19 Update: Sanders: pretrial hearing on 1/23/20 & trial starts 2/24/20.
2/24/20 Update: Sanders: Motion for trial continuance-granted. Jury Trial originally scheduled on 2/24/20 at 1:00pm was rescheduled to 6/15/20 at 1:00pm. Reason: Court's Own Motion. Pretrial Conference scheduled for 5/14/20 at 8:30am.
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson – Blackwell: Pretrial conference hearing on 5/7/20, trial set to begin on 6/28/20. Sanders: Pretrial hearing on 5/14/20, trial set to begin on 6/15/20.
*Brittany Diann Drake – Sanders: Pretrial conference hearing on 5/14/20, trial set to begin on 6/15/20.

*Trial continues (Day 7)-CONTINUED! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/75/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19. Trial started on 3/4. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 12 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). No court on Fridays.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-5 (3/4/20 thru 3/11/20) reference post #166 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
3/12/20 Thursday, Day 6: State witnesses: Jim McCormack (Kathie Durst's brother). Marion Watlington (Kathie Durst's friend). Virginia McKeon (Kathie Durst's sister). LAPD officer Rashad Sharif (on patrol the day Susan's body found). Court is adjourned until 9 a.m. Monday, 3/16.
3/16/20 Monday Update: Trial has been postponed to April 6 amid concerns across the court system about coronavirus.

*Jury Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (murder) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 40) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial was set to begin on 3/16/20 with jury selection is continued to 3/30/20.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 3/9/20 reference post #478 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Update: Jury selection begins on 3/16.
3/16/20 Update: Trial has been moved to 3/30/20.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
3/4/20 Update: Sex Offender violation next hearing on 3/9. 3/9/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 4/29/20.

*Trial continues (Day 8)-CONTINUED! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Denise Lampe (19) (April 1, 1976, Daly City) – *Leon Melvin Seymour (30 @ time of crime/72/now 73) charged (11/16/18) & arraigned (12/18/18) with 1st degree murder with use of deadly weapon, 1 count of attempt or use of deadly weapon, 1 count of torture & 1 count to 2 prior offenses (enhancement). Plead not guilty. $10M bond. No bond (12/14/18).
Is being housed at Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator for other kidnappings & sexually assaults going back decades. DNA match.
Trial began on 3/2/20. Court dark on Fridays.
3/2/20 Monday Day 1: Jury selection started. Motion in Limine filed. Jury selection continues to 3/3. 3/3/20 Tuesday Day 2: Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on 3/4. 3/4/20 Wednesday: Defendant not in court. No Jury selection today. Jury selection continues on 3/5. 3/5/20 Thursday Day 3: Jury selection continues. Jury selection continues on Monday, 3/9. Court dark on Fridays.
3/9/20 Monday Day 4: Jury selection continued. Trial continues on 3/10.
3/10/20 Tuesday Day 5: People's Motions to Exclude All Witnesses on Proposed Witness List. No other info available. Trial continues on 3/11.
3/11/20 Wednesday Day 6: No info available. Trial continues on 3/12.
3/12/20 Thursday Day 7: People’s evidence. Trial continues on Monday, 3/16.
3/16/20 Monday Day 8: Jury has been selected, but next hearing is status of trial on 3/27.

*Jury Trial continues (Day 4)-Sanity Phase-Jury Deliberating-VERDICT! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Nia Wilson (18) (July 22, 2018, MacArthur BART Station, Oakland; her sister Letifah (26) was injured) – *John Lee Cowell (27/now 28) arrested (7/23/18) & charged (7/25/18) with murder & attempted murder with special allegations of using a deadly weapon on each charge. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond. DA will not seek DP.
Trial began on 1/15/20 with jury selection. Trial started on 2/5/20 and ended on 3/10/20 with a guilty verdict. Sanity Phase started on 3/11/20 & ended on 3/16/20.
Court hearings & trial (Days 1 to 13) info from 7/25/18 thru 3/10/20 & Sanity Phase (Day 1 to 2) 3/11/20 to 3/12/20 reference post #112 here:
CA - Oakland, Nia Wilson stabbed to death on BART, sister injured, 22 Jul 2018 *Arrest*
3/13/20 Friday Day 3 of Sanity Phase: Jury continued deliberations. No verdict yet. Continued to 3/16.
3/16/20 Monday Day 4 of Sanity Phase: The judge overseeing the Nia Wilson murder trial took an extraordinary step Monday by halting what would have been the third day of jury deliberations and rendering a verdict himself: John Lee Cowell was sane when he fatally stabbed the 18-year-old woman at an Oakland BART station in 2018. Judge Allan Hymer’s verdict was announced in a closed Alameda County courtroom a day after Gov. Gavin Newsom directed people 65 and older to isolate themselves at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several of the 12 jurors — as well as Hymer — are over 65. Cowell will face mandatory life in prison without parole, Ford said. His sentencing is scheduled for April 14.

 

[Niner]

Update!

*Bench Trial continues (Day 10)-VERDICT! (@ 9:30am PT) - CA – Christina Marie Williams (13) (June 12, 1998, Seaside; found Jan. 12, 1999 near Imjim Rd.) – *Charles Holifield (37 @ time of crime/56/now 58) arrested (4/17/17), charged (5/10/17), arraigned (1/16/18) & indicted (2/23/18) with 1st degree murder, special allegations of kidnapping & lewd acts on children. Plead not guilty.
DNA match
Bench Trial began on 3/2/20. Trial expected to last a month.
Also suspect in Jennifer Morris murder. Holifield is serving a third-strike sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the attempted kidnapping of a 23-year-old woman. Also was convicted of sexually assaulting or raping two teenage girls, and he was suspected of raping a third, between 1979 and 1983. All the attacks took place on Fort Ord.
Trial info from (Day 1-7: 3/2/20 to 3/17/20) reference post #107 here:
CA - CA - Christina Williams, 13, Seaside, 12 June 1998
3/18/20 Wednesday Day 8: No info available yet. Defense called witness involved in the search & rescue efforts to find Christina. Back in session on 3/19. The prosecution may call rebuttal witnesses. Closing statements may be late Friday or Monday.
3/19/20 Thursday Day 9: No info available. Trial continues on 3/20.
3/20/20 Friday Day 10: Judge Pamela Butler on Friday found Holifield guilty of kidnapping, raping and killing Christina, more than 21 years after the 13-year-old disappeared while walking her dog in a military neighborhood in Seaside. “The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison with no relief,” Butler said to the courtroom after sentencing Holifield to life in prison without the possibility of parole. She said the evidence showed the death of the girl was clearly a homicide and “the DNA evidence is overwhelmingly convincing and persuasive.”

 

[Niner]

Update!

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am CT) – OK – Alize Ramon “Gotta Twin” Smith (21) & Jarron Keonte “400” Moreland (21) (April 14, 2018, Moore; shot, dismembered, chained to cinder blocks & thrown in pond, April 18, 2018) – for *Crystal Rachelle Boettler (40/now 41) “mom” arrested (4/24/18), charged (10/15/18) & arraigned (1/9/19) with accessory to murder after the fact to 2nd degree murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Court information from 5/15/19 thru 1/6/20 reference post #79 here:
Found Deceased - OK - Alize Smith, 21, & Jarron Moreland, 21, Moore, 14 Apr 2018 *Arrest*
3/17/20 Update: Plead guilty to accessory to murder after the fact. Judgement & sentence suspended in part. Judge Kirby accepts plea. Sentencing on 3/23.
3/23/20 Update: Sentenced to 45 years under the supervision of the OK DOC, except the first 20 years in the custody of OK DOC, running concurrently with credit for time served (20 in/25 out). 2 years post imprisonment supervision.
*Johnny Shane Barker (43/now 44) – Call Docket hearing on 5/29. Trial set to begin on 6/1/20.
*Brett Aaron Boettler 5/1/19: Boettler withdrew his not guilty plea, and instead plead guilty to the charges. A judge sentenced (technically) received a life sentence, but the district attorney’s office said that he will end up serving 30 years in prison & 15 years on probation.
*Kevin Don Garcia-Boettler 5/1/19: Garcia-Boettler withdrew his not guilty plea, and instead plead guilty to the charges. A judge sentenced to 25 years.