Trials & Sentencing for June, 2023

[Niner]

For the week of Thursday, June 1st thru Friday, June 2nd

Friday, June 2nd:
*Probation/Sentencing Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Kris Anderson (57) (June 11, 2016, Santa Monica, stabbed in the head) - *Theo Andrew Krah (28 @ time of crime/31/now 36, Navy SEAL) indicted & arrested (6/13/16) & arraigned & charged (10/21/16) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $2M bond.
Trial began on 6/15/22 & restarted on 6/21 thru 6/30/22 (Day 1-8), 7/5 thru 7/8/22 (Day 9-12) & Jury deliberations Day 1-2 (7/7-7/8/22).
Jurors reached a verdict (7/8/22) guilty on 2nd degree murder. Sentencing on 8/1/22 reset on 9/9/22 & reset to 12/9/22 & reset to 2/17/23 & reset to 6/2/23.
Court info from 7/31/18 thru 4/12/22 & Trial Days 1-12 (6/15–6/30, 7/5-7/8/22) & 12/9/22 thru 3/23/23 reference post #442 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/my-friend-was-murdered-last-saturday.310412/page-23[/[COLOR=rgb(165, 42, 42)][SIZE=3]url...on [B]6/2/23[/B] @ 8:30am.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/I]

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, June 1st:
*Trial continues (Day 3)-VERDICT! (@ 9am CT) - TX – Christian Welborn (2 mos.) (Dec. 21, 2018, Samson Park, Fort Worth; beaten by father) - *Joseph Matthew Welborn (26/now 30) arrested (12/27/18) & charged (12/21/18) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $250K bond.
Christian had 2 complex skull fractures & maybe a 3rd. 3 other children in state custody (boys 7, 6 & 2); 4 year old did not live there. Tried to blame the 4 year old.
Trial began on 5/30/23 & ended on 6/1/23 with a guilty plea. Sentenced to life in prison, with a possibility of parole.
Court info from 6/2/19 thru 3/2/23 reference post #71 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rrant-county-21-dec-2018-arrest.409094/page-4
5/30/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 1: Jury selection begins. Trial continues on Wednesday, 5/31/23.
5/31/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 2: No info available. Trial continues on Thursday, 6/1/23.
6/1/23 Thursday, Trial Day 3: Welborn was sentenced to life in prison by a jury Thursday in Tarrant County for charges related to the death of his infant son, who was 10 weeks old at the time he was beaten to death in 2018. According to Tarrant County authorities, Welborn plead guilty to injury to a child causing serious bodily injury, a first degree felony. Welborn initially faced a capital murder charge. His sentence includes the possibility of parole.

 

[Niner]

Update!

For the week of Thursday, June 1st thru Friday, June 2nd

Friday, June 2nd:
*Probation/Sentencing Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) - CA - Kris Anderson (57) (June 11, 2016, Santa Monica, stabbed in the head) - *Theo Andrew Krah (28 @ time of crime/31/now 36, Navy SEAL) indicted & arrested (6/13/16) & arraigned & charged (10/21/16) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $2M bond.
Trial began on 6/15/22 & restarted on 6/21 thru 6/30/22 (Day 1-8), 7/5 thru 7/8/22 (Day 9-12) & Jury deliberations Day 1-2 (7/7-7/8/22).
Jurors reached a verdict (7/8/22) guilty on 2nd degree murder. Sentencing on 8/1/22 reset on 9/9/22 & reset to 12/9/22 & reset to 2/17/23 & reset to 6/2/23.
Court info from 7/31/18 thru 4/12/22 & Trial Days 1-12 (6/15–6/30, 7/5-7/8/22) & 12/9/22 thru 3/23/23 reference post #442 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/threads/my-friend-was-murdered-last-saturday.310412/page-23[/[COLOR=rgb(165, 42, 42)][SIZE=3]url...on [B]6/2/23[/B] @ 8:30am.[/SIZE][/COLOR][/I]

6/1/23 Update: Probation/sentencing hearing has been delayed. Next motion hearing on 7/28/23 @ 8:30am & probation/sentencing hearing rescheduled on 8/4/23 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, June 5th thru Friday, June 9th:

Monday, June 5th:
*Sentencing Phase Hearing begins (@ 9am CT) - TX – Michael Lee Swearingin (32) & Jenna Kay Scott (28) (Jan. 4, 2019, Temple; found in Clearview, OK on Jan. 12, 2019) – *Cedric Joseph Marks (44/now 48) (ex bf of Scott’s) arrested (1/8/19) in Kent County, Mich. for a burglary warrant, waived extradition to Texas. *Charged (2/4/19), indicted (4/3/19) & arraigned (5/10/19) with capital murder of multiple persons & tampering with evidence. $2,016,500 Bond. DA will seek DP. Bond reduction denied (3/30/21). Will be representing himself.
*Charged (2/4/19), indicted (4/3/19) & arraigned (4/10/19) with interfering w/emergency call, false report to police officer violating protective order, burglary habitation intend.
*Charged & indicted (3/13/19) & arraigned (4/26/19) with 1st degree felony burglary (on 8/21/18 at Scott’s home). $16,500 bond on charges of interference with an emergency call, making a false police report & violation of a protection order, bond for the burglary charge is $250K & the murder of multiple persons is carrying a bond of $1.5 million & $250K. Plead not guilty to all charges.
Trial was set to begin on 2/20/23 with jury selection. From 3/27/23 to 4/4/23 with a total of 69 potential jurors selected. Final individual voir dire happened on 4/13/23. Judge Steven J. Duskie presiding. Representing himself (pro se).
Trial began on 4/17/23 & State rested their case on 5/19/23. Defense started case on 5/19/23 & rested on 5/23/23.
Jury started deliberations on 5/24/23 @ ~1:30pm to 5pm – guilty of all charges.
Court information from 2/3/19 thru 2/9/23 & Jury Selection Days 1 to 29 (2/20 to 4/4/23), 4/5/23 thru 4/13/23 & Trial Day 1-27 (4/17-5/23/23) reference post #318 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...nna-scott-28-temple-bell-county-4-jan-2019-16
5/24/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 28: Closing arguments by First assistant District Attorney Stephanie Newell & District Attorney, Henry Garza & for defense Cedric Marks. Jury started deliberations at 1:30pm & ended about 5pm with a guilty verdict for the deaths of Michael & Jenna & all other charges.
For more info see post #321 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...emple-bell-county-4-jan-2019-2.577817/page-17
Sentencing phase hearing begins on 6/5/23. The jury will hear victim impact statements during the proceedings. Marks faces the possibility of the death penalty.
*Maya Renee Maxwell – Pretrial hearing on 7/7/23. Accepting a plea deal to serve 20 years for two counts of tampering with evidence with chance of parole.
*Ginell Marie McDonough – 1/31/20: Plead guilty. Sentencing on 11/19/20 where charges were dismissed, testified against Marks.
TN/MN – April Lee Pease (30) (missing Mar. 17, 2009, Bloomington, not found) - *Cedric Joseph Marks (45/now 48) charged (3/16/20) with 2nd degree murder in the abduction & death of April.
*Kellee Kristine Sorensen (34/now 36) – charged (3/16/20) with 2nd degree murder. $3K conditional bond. In custody in Washington State.

*Trial set to begin (@ 10:30am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – *Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (16 @ time of crime/17/now 23) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Out on bond 4/12/17.
First trial: after ~20 hours of deliberations verdict was 8 Guilty & 4 Not guilty. Judge declares mistrial.
2nd Re-trial After ~18 hours of deliberations verdict was 4 for Guilty & 8 not guilty. Judge Kelli Johnson declared (another) mistrial.
3rd Re-trial began on 5/2/23 with jury selection & ended 5/19/23 with total of 48 potential jurors back on 5/31/23 for final jury selection.
12 jurors & 4 alternates were selected. (6 women (4 white & 2 Hispanic women) & 10 men (4 Hispanic, 2 Black, 2 white & 2 Asian men). Four of these jurors are alternates, but those 4 are not being told that until it’s time to deliberate.
Trial set to begin on 6/5/23. Judge Kelli Johnson presiding. Prosecutors John Jordan, Ryan Trask & Sarah Seely. Defense attorneys Rick Detoto, Jennifer Carpenter & Chris Collings.
Court info from 12/11/19 thru 10/26/22 (2nd trial) thru 5/1/23, Jury Selection Day 1-15 (5/1-5/31/23) reference post #426 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-22
6/1/23 Update: Pretrial hearing held. Evidence already seen in previous trials has been introduced & Judge will allow it for trial 3: AJ texts with Mom/Dad/then girlfriend; autopsy photos; AJ statement to police. Trial begins on Monday, 6/5/23.
For more info see posts #428 & 430 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-22
Armstrong Jr. faces life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years. He is not eligible for the death penalty because he was a juvenile at the time of the killings.


Wednesday, June 7th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Tristan Beaudette (35) (shot on June 22, 2018, Malibu Creek State Park campground) - *Anthony Rauda (42/now 46) arrested (10/10/18) for a string of burglaries & charged (1/7/19), arraigned (1/22/19) & indicted (superseded) (10/21/19) with 1 count of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder & 5 counts of 2nd degree burglary (spanning from Nov. 2016 to Oct. 2018). Plead not guilty. $11M Bond.
*Charged (3/24/22) & arraigned (4/7/22) with 2 felony counts of battery on a peace officer on 3/30/20 & 3/16/22. Plead not guilty.
Battery Trial from 6/7/22 to 6/9/22: Found guilty by jury of 2 felony counts of battery. Sentenced to 3 years & 8 months.
Trial was set to begin on 7/22/21 cancelled due to competency hearings. Found competent 11/29/21.
Murder Trial began on Jury selection on 5/1 thru 5/4 & trial began on 5/5/23 & ended 5/22/23 with closing arguments. Judge Eleanor Hunter presiding. Jurors started deliberations on 5/22/23 in the afternoon. No time on deliberations. ~2 hours. 5/23/23: from 9am to 5pm (less 1 hour lunch) ~7 hours. 5/24/23: from 9am to 5pm (less 1 hour lunch) ~ 7 hours. 5/25/23: from 9am to 5pm (less 1 hour lunch) ~7 hours. 5/26/23: from 9:30am to 2:30pm ~5 hours. Total deliberation hours: ~29 hours.
Court info & related crimes from 1/7/19 thru 4/24/23, Jury Selection Day 1-3 (5/2-5/4/23) & Trial Day 1-11 (5/5-5/18, no court on 5/19 & 5/22/23) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-4 (5/22 to 5/25/23) reference post #547 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-tristan-beaudette-35-3-arrest.390523/page-28
5/26/23 Friday, Trial Day 15/Jury Deliberations Day 5: Jury continued deliberations. Rauda was found guilty 2nd degree murder, three counts of attempted murder & five counts of second-degree commercial burglary. The jury acquitted him of seven other attempted-murder charges. Rauda, who had previously waived his right to be present, was not in the downtown Los Angeles courtroom.
Superior Court Judge Eleanor Hunter set sentencing hearing on 6/7/23.
For more info see posts #548 & 549 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-tristan-beaudette-35-3-arrest.390523/page-28

 

[Niner]

Update!!

Monday, June 5th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ 10:30am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – *Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (16 @ time of crime/17/now 23) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Out on bond 4/12/17.
First trial: after ~20 hours of deliberations verdict was 8 Guilty & 4 Not guilty. Judge declares mistrial.
2nd Re-trial After ~18 hours of deliberations verdict was 4 for Guilty & 8 not guilty. Judge Kelli Johnson declared (another) mistrial.
3rd Re-trial began on 5/2/23 with jury selection & ended 5/19/23 with total of 48 potential jurors back on 5/31/23 for final jury selection.
12 jurors & 4 alternates were selected. (6 women (4 white & 2 Hispanic women) & 10 men (4 Hispanic, 2 Black, 2 white & 2 Asian men). Four of these jurors are alternates, but those 4 are not being told that until it’s time to deliberate.
There are two Marines, engineers in the oil & gas industry, a retired teacher, a Space Center Houston worker & therapists who work or have worked with mental health patients. The jurors range in age from a 26-year-old man to a 65-year-old grandmother.
Trial was set begin on 6/5/23 continued on 6/12/23. Judge Kelli Johnson presiding. Prosecutors John Jordan, Ryan Trask & Sarah Seely. Defense attorneys Rick Detoto, Jennifer Carpenter & Chris Collings.
Court info from 12/11/19 thru 10/26/22 (2nd trial) thru 5/1/23, Jury Selection Day 1-15 (5/1-5/31/23) & 6/1/23 reference post #435 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-22
6/5/23 Monday: . Armstrong Jr.’s retrial has been reset for another week, until Monday, June 12, for an “issue outside of the court’s control,” according to Judge Kelli Johnson. The nature of the issue was not immediately released.
During opening arguments, prosecutors and the defense will each get 45 minutes to set up their cases.
The evidence that will be allowed in trial three includes:
Text messages between Armstrong & his parents, Armstrong & his mom, & Armstrong & his then-girlfriend, who is now his wife. Armstrong's statement to police. Armstrong's cell phone data extraction, such as screen & cell. Autopsy photos. The medical records of Josh Armstrong, AJ's older half brother.
For more info see posts #438 & 439 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-22
Trial begins on Monday, 6/12/23.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, June 7th:
*Sentencing/Probation Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Tristan Beaudette (35) (shot on June 22, 2018, Malibu Creek State Park campground) - *Anthony Rauda (42/now 46) arrested (10/10/18) for a string of burglaries & charged (1/7/19), arraigned (1/22/19) & indicted (superseded) (10/21/19) with 1 count of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder & 5 counts of 2nd degree burglary (spanning from Nov. 2016 to Oct. 2018). Plead not guilty. $11M Bond. L.A. County Case #BA476023
*Charged (3/24/22) & arraigned (4/7/22) with 2 felony counts of battery on a peace officer on 3/30/20 & 3/16/22. Plead not guilty.
Battery Trial from 6/7/22 to 6/9/22: Found guilty by jury of 2 felony counts of battery. Sentenced to 3 years & 8 months.
Trial was set to begin on 7/22/21 cancelled due to competency hearings. Found competent 11/29/21.
Murder Trial began on Jury selection on 5/1 thru 5/4 & trial began on 5/5/23 & ended 5/22/23 with closing arguments. Judge Eleanor Hunter presiding. Jurors started deliberations on 5/22/23 in the afternoon. No time on deliberations. ~2 hours. 5/23/23: from 9am to 5pm (less 1 hour lunch) ~7 hours. 5/24/23: from 9am to 5pm (less 1 hour lunch) ~ 7 hours. 5/25/23: from 9am to 5pm (less 1 hour lunch) ~7 hours. 5/26/23: from 9:30am to 2:30pm ~5 hours. Total deliberation hours: ~29 hours.
Court info & related crimes from 1/7/19 thru 4/24/23, Jury Selection Day 1-3 (5/2-5/4/23) & Trial Day 1-11 (5/5-5/18, no court on 5/19 & 5/22/23) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-5 (5/22 to 5/26/23) reference post #551 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-tristan-beaudette-35-3-arrest.390523/page-28
6/7/23 Update on Sentencing hearing. Rauda was brought into a downtown Los Angeles courtroom in a restraint chair & wearing a spit-hood over his head. Rauda was convicted May 26 of 2nd degree murder of Tristan Beaudette, 2 counts of attempted murder, including two involving Beaudette's daughters, who were not struck by the gunfire, along with 5 counts of 2nd degree commercial burglary. Jurors acquitted Rauda of & other attempted murder charges involving a series of other early-morning shootings in the same area. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Eleanor J. Hunter initially handed down a sentence of 142 years to life for Rauda. But after subsequently meeting with attorneys, she reconvened the hearing & said she had made a miscalculation & revised the sentence to 119 years to life.
For more info see posts #552 to 554 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-tristan-beaudette-35-3-arrest.390523/page-28

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, June 9th:
*Sentencing Phase Hearing ends (Day 5)-DEATH! (@ 9am CT) - TX – Michael Lee Swearingin (32) & Jenna Kay Scott (28) (Jan. 4, 2019, Temple; found in Clearview, OK on Jan. 12, 2019) – *Cedric Joseph Marks (44/now 48) (ex bf of Scott’s) arrested (1/8/19) in Kent County, Mich. for a burglary warrant, waived extradition to Texas. *Charged (2/4/19), indicted (4/3/19) & arraigned (5/10/19) with capital murder of multiple persons & tampering with evidence. $2,016,500 Bond. DA will seek DP. Bond reduction denied (3/30/21). Will be representing himself.
*Charged (2/4/19), indicted (4/3/19) & arraigned (4/10/19) with interfering w/emergency call, false report to police officer violating protective order, burglary habitation intend.
*Charged & indicted (3/13/19) & arraigned (4/26/19) with 1st degree felony burglary (on 8/21/18 at Scott’s home). $16,500 bond on charges of interference with an emergency call, making a false police report & violation of a protection order, bond for the burglary charge is $250K & the murder of multiple persons is carrying a bond of $1.5 million & $250K. Plead not guilty to all charges.
Trial was set to begin on 2/20/23 with jury selection. From 3/27/23 to 4/4/23 with a total of 69 potential jurors selected. Final individual voir dire happened on 4/13/23. Judge Steven J. Duskie presiding. DA Henry Garza & 1st Asst. DA Stephanie Newell. Marks is representing himself (pro se).
Trial began on 4/17/23 & State rested their case on 5/19/23. Defense started case on 5/19/23 & rested on 5/23/23.
Jury started deliberations on 5/24/23 @ ~1:30pm to 5pm – guilty of all charges. Sentencing phase started 6/5/23: Prosecutors rested on 6/6/23. Defense began their case on 6/6/23 & ended 6/9/23. Jury reached verdict in 2 ½ hours – with the death penalty.
Court information from 2/3/19 thru 2/9/23 & Jury Selection Days 1 to 29 (2/20 to 4/4/23), 4/5/23 thru 4/13/23 & Trial Day 1-28 (4/17-5/24/23) & Sentencing Phase Day 1-4 (6/5 to 6/8/23) reference post #345 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...nna-scott-28-temple-bell-county-4-jan-2019-18
6/9/23 Friday, Sentencing phase hearing (Day 5): Defense witness: Darlena Marks-Simmons, Marks' sister. Defense rested.
Prosecution brought forth two officers who had arrested Marks as rebuttal witnesses, testifying Marks’ prior bad acts before the state rested its case.
Closing argument Bell County First District Attorney Stephanie Newell & by Bell County District Attorney Henry Garza & for the defense Marks. Jury started deliberations. The jury made its unanimous decision in 2 ½ hours. Sentencing Marks to death.
Marks had no outburst when the sentencing was given. Judge Steve Duskie told Marks he can make a direct appeal. In the end Marks put in a motion for a new trial.
For more info see posts #346 to 348 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...emple-bell-county-4-jan-2019-2.577817/page-18
*Maya Renee Maxwell – Pretrial hearing on 7/7/23. Accepting a plea deal to serve 20 years for two counts of tampering with evidence with chance of parole.
*Ginell Marie McDonough – 1/31/20: Plead guilty. Sentencing on 11/19/20 where charges were dismissed, testified against Marks.
TN/MN – April Lee Pease (30) (missing Mar. 17, 2009, Bloomington, not found) - *Cedric Joseph Marks (45/now 48) charged (3/16/20) with 2nd degree murder in the abduction & death of April.
*Kellee Kristine Sorensen (34/now 36) – charged (3/16/20) with 2nd degree murder. $3K conditional bond. In custody in Washington State.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, June 5th:
*Hearing (@ 9:30am ET) - NC - *Baby Doe (cold case #040491-0016) – (found April 4, 1991 mummified infant in trash can, Nags Head) - *Scott Gordon Poole (23 @ time of crime/54/now 55) & Robin Lynn Byrum (20 @ time of crime/51/now 53) (wife) arrested & charged (10/21/21) with concealing birth of child. And Byrum charged (10/21/21) with murder. Bond (Byrum) $500K & (Poole) $1M. Out of custody, bonded out (both on 10/27/21).
For info on case from 10/25/21 see reference #34 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...n-blonde-hair-apr91-n-a-arrests.257314/page-2
8/4/22 Update: Next hearing for both on 8/29/22. 8/29/22 (3/1723) Update: Next hearing on 4/3/23. 4/3/23 Update: Next hearing on 6/5/23.
6/5/23 Update: Both Byrum & Poole appeared in court in Dare County on June 5, finally bringing resolution to the tragic saga. Byrum maintained a polite & composed demeanor in answering the routine questions from Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett. Under the plea deal, the judge told her, District Attorney Jeff Cruden agreed to drop previous charges, including murder. Byrum has agreed to a plea deal that will send her to prison for up to 6 years. Byrum plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter for the death of the infant, whose partial remains, wrapped in a sheet, were found on April 4, 1991, near trash cans along East Tides Drive in South Nags Head. The infant was found with a pink plastic hair curler in his mouth & a broken jaw. She was sentenced to 6 years in prison.
Poole plead guilty to the failure to appear charge. The District Attorney had agreed to drop the charge related to the birth of the child. Judge Jerry Tillett sentenced Poole to 24 months of unsupervised probation, in addition to court & attorney fees. Marshall Ellis, Poole’s appointed defense attorney, told the court that Poole plans to move to Arizona to be with his father.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, June 12th thru Friday, June 16th:

Monday, June 12th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Federal) (@ am PT) - CA – Roman Anthony Lopez (11) (last seen Saturday morning Jan. 11, 2020, found later in evening dead in a storage bin in the basement, Placerville) – death is being investigated as suspicious. *Jordan Thomas Piper (35/now 37) “father” arrested (2/3/21), charged (2/4/21) & arraigned (2/9/21) with 1 count of child abuse likely to cause injury or death & causing cruel & extreme pain for revenge, extortion or sadistic purpose, 1 count of torture & 1 count with willfully failing to provide food, shelter & medical attention to the child. Plead not guilty. $1.05M bond.
Additional charge (10/29/21) & arraigned (11/19/21) of murder. Plead not guilty.
Info on crime, where children are & court info from 2/4/21 to 11/89/22 reference post #69 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-11-jan-2020-arrests-2-guilty-2.629673/page-4
1/20/23 Update: Next pre-preliminary hearing on 3/17/23. 3/17/23 Update: Next preliminary examination hearing on 3/28/23 @ 8:30am & will continue on 3/29 & 3/30/23. 3/30/23 Update: Preliminary hearing was vacated. Next pre-preliminary hearing on 6/16/23 & preliminary hearings on 6/27 & 6/28/23.
*Lindsay Marie Piper (38/now 41) “stepmother” - Plead no contest (5/16/22) to 2nd degree murder. Sentenced on 7/8/22 to 15 years to life with the possibility of parole. Her guilty plea (deal) will dismiss these charges: child abuse, poisoning & torture.
*Federal Criminal complaint filed (6/21/22) & charged (6/23/22) of sexual exploitation of a child/*advertiser censored*. U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes/Judge Kendall Newman
Jordan Piper is accused of secretly recording videos of a girl using the bathroom & bathing at his home in the months before Roman disappeared in Placerville, according to a filed FBI affidavit. His criminal case in El Dorado County stemming from his son’s death is still pending.
Court info from 6/21/22 to 11/17/22 reference post #69 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-11-jan-2020-arrests-2-guilty-2.629673/page-4
1/19/23 Update: The preliminary exam hearing was continued to 3/16/23 at 2pm before Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes.
3/20/23 Update: Piper has plead guilty to sexually exploiting a girl at his home in the months before the boy disappeared in Placerville. Piper on Monday was convicted of sexual exploitation of a child in alleged acts that occurred Oct. 3, 2019, through Jan. 9, 2020, in Tuolumne & El Dorado counties, according to an amended criminal complaint filed March 7 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb explained to Piper that pleading guilty would result in a minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum 30-year prison sentence. Piper told the judge he understood the consequences of the plea agreement he made with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Shubb scheduled Piper to return to his courtroom 6/12/23 for sentencing. Piper then would be returned to El Dorado County, where he continues to await prosecution in his son’s death.

*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 33) 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 6/12/23.
Court info from 9/16/20 thru 2/13/23 reference post #485 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hot-marion-30-dec-2018-arrests.414840/page-25
2/16/23 Update: Jury trial originally scheduled on 2/13/23 was rescheduled on 6/12/23 @ 1pm. Reason: Court's own motion. Next pretrial conference hearing on 5/11/23 @ 8:30am & jury trial set to begin on 6/12/23.
5/11/23 Update: Next trial set to begin on 6/12/23.
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.

*Trial set to begin (@ 10:30am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – *Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (16 @ time of crime/17/now 23) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Out on bond 4/12/17.
First trial: after ~20 hours of deliberations verdict was 8 Guilty & 4 Not guilty. Judge declares mistrial.
2nd Re-trial After ~18 hours of deliberations verdict was 4 for Guilty & 8 not guilty. Judge Kelli Johnson declared (another) mistrial.
3rd Re-trial began on 5/2/23 with jury selection & ended 5/19/23 with total of 48 potential jurors back on 5/31/23 for final jury selection.
12 jurors & 4 alternates were selected. (6 women (4 white & 2 Hispanic women) & 10 men (4 Hispanic, 2 Black, 2 white & 2 Asian men). Four of these jurors are alternates, but those 4 are not being told that until it’s time to deliberate.
There are two Marines, engineers in the oil & gas industry, a retired teacher, a Space Center Houston worker & therapists who work or have worked with mental health patients. The jurors range in age from a 26-year-old man to a 65-year-old grandmother.
Trial was set begin on 6/5/23 continued on 6/12/23. Judge Kelli Johnson presiding. Prosecutors John Jordan, Ryan Trask & Sarah Seely. Defense attorneys Rick Detoto, Jennifer Carpenter & Chris Collings.
Court info from 12/11/19 thru 10/26/22 (2nd trial) thru 5/1/23, Jury Selection Day 1-15 (5/1-5/31/23) & 6/1/23 reference post #435 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-22
6/5/23 Monday: Armstrong Jr.’s retrial has been reset for another week, until Monday, June 12, for an “issue outside of the court’s control,” according to Judge Kelli Johnson. The nature of the issue was not immediately released.
During opening arguments, prosecutors and the defense will each get 45 minutes to set up their cases.
The evidence that will be allowed in trial three includes:
Text messages between Armstrong & his parents, Armstrong & his mom, & Armstrong & his then-girlfriend, who is now his wife. Armstrong's statement to police. Armstrong's cell phone data extraction, such as screen & cell. Autopsy photos. The medical records of Josh Armstrong, AJ's older half brother.
For more info see posts #438 & 439 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-22
Trial begins on Monday, 6/12/23.


Thursday, June 15th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am CT) – AL – J.B. Hilton Green Beasley (17) & Tracie Jean Hawlett (17) (reported missing July 31, 1999, Ozark & found August 2, 1999 in trunk of car) - *Coley Lewis McCraney (25 @ time of crime/45/now 49) arrested (3/15/19), charged (3/16/19) & indicted (6/6/19) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 1st degree murder while in the act of murdering two or more persons & 1 count of 1st degree rape (Beasley). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Denied bond request 11/15/22. DA will seek DP.
Parabon Nanolabs GEDMatch DNA.
Trial began on 4/17/23 with jury selection & ended on 4/18/23. 12 jurors & 2 alternates. (7 men & 7 women/2 men alternates). Juror dismissed (4/20/23). Now 12 jurors & 1 alternate (6 men & 6 women/1 man alternate). Jury started deliberations on 4/25/23 & ended on 4/26/23 with a total deliberations: 7 hours. Guilty of all charges. Sentencing phase (4/26-4/27/23): took 15 minutes for verdict of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Trial began with opening statements began on 4/19/23. State rested their case on 4/21/23. Defense rested their case on 4/25/23.
Court information from 4/3/19 thru 4/13/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (4/17-4/18/23) & Trial Day 1-6 (4/19-4/26/23) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-2 (4/25-4/26/23) reference post #895 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-ozark-31-july-1999-5-arrest.465871/page-43
4/27/23 Thursday, Trial Day 7/Sentencing Phase Day 2: Attorney General Steve Marshall & Defense attorney Andrew Scarborough addressed the jury. Impact Statements: Carol Roberts, Tracie’s mother. Cheryl Burgoon, JB’s mother. James Fuller, cousin of McCraney. Sharla Godwin, friend of the McCraney family. Chancy Smith, friend of the McCraney family. Randy Saffold, friend of McCraney. Sidney Miller, neighbor of McCraney. Pamela Williams, McCraney’s aunt. Boyd Fuller, McCraney’s cousin. Harvey McCloud, supervisor at Dale County Jail. Mitchell Barnhill, jailer at Dale County Jail. Cody Kelly, former inmate with McCraney. Jeanette McCraney, McCraney’s wife. Alicia McCraney, McCraney’s daughter.
Closing arguments by both sides.
After 15 minutes of deliberations, jurors came back with life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing hearing 6/15/23.
for more info see posts #859 & 860 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ed-ozark-31-july-1999-5-arrest.465871/page-43
4/28/23 Update: Defense attorneys allege possible juror misconduct during McCraney’s murder trial that ended on Thursday. “We believe there were some jurors that may or may not have been posting on social media during deliberations & maybe during the trial,” David Harrison told reporters. He & Counsel Andrew Scarborough said they are investigating further & will include the allegations in their motion for a new trial. They provided no additional information including the content of posts. Harrison & Scarborough plan to file for a new trial in a few weeks & if the judge denies that motion, they will take the case to state appeals courts.
5/24/23 Update: Motion for a new trial filed by defense attorneys Andrew J. Scarborough & David J. Harrison. There is a list of exhibits filed. It mostly consisted of screenshots from social media allegedly made by a juror or jurors during the trial. The Court has set a hearing date of 7/17/23 for a hearing on these motions. His sentencing date is 6/15/23.


Friday, June 16th:
*Change of Plea Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) –IL - Sheila von Wiese-Mack (62) (killed in Bali on 8/12/14 by daughter & her bf Tommy Schaefer at the St. Regis Bali Resort Hotel in Bali, Indonesia) - *Heather Mack (19 @ time of crime/26/now 27) Federal indictment (2017), charged & arrested (11/3/21) & arraigned (11/3/21) with conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national & obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty (11/3/21). Held without bond. Denied bond on 12/8/22.
Bench trial began on 9/6/22 for custody of Stella & ended on 11/18/22 with Cook County Judge Stephanie Miller ordering temporary care of Stella to Lisa Hellman, whose mother is/was sister of Sheila.
Federal Trial set to begin on 8/1/23 is now tentatively scheduled due to a change of plea hearing pending. Defense attorney Michael Leonard.
Info on Mack’s previous crime & case info from 11/12/21 thru 6/29/22 & Bench Trial Day 1-25 (9/6/22 to 10/7/22) & thru 5/10/23 reference post #647 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-aug-2014-fnd-guilty-in-bali-6.593581/page-33
5/27/23 Update: Next telephone conference hearing on 6/1/23 @ 8:45am.
6/1/23 Update: In a brief telephone status hearing at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Thursday, prosecutors said that they had made “significant progress” in plea negotiations, though the language of the deal was still being finalized. Mack plans to plead guilty, her attorney said. The details of any plea agreement or potential penalties under discussion by Mack & U.S. prosecutors remain unclear. Her attorney, Michael Leonard, said Mack's defense has been in negotiations with federal prosecutors “over the last several weeks” ahead of her trial set to begin 8/1/23. “We anticipate that the parties will be in a position to enter a written plea agreement & proceed with a change of plea hearing on 6/15/23,” Leonard said. Prosecutors also told a judge Thursday they expect Mack will plead guilty but the parties were still negotiating. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly set a change of plea hearing for 6/15/23 & scrapped all deadlines for pretrial motions. The judge did keep the 8/1/23 trial date intact, however, in case the deal falls through.
6/9/23 Update: Change of plea hearing has been rescheduled on 6/16/23 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, June 12th:
*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 33) 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 6/12/23 continued on 10/30/23.
Court info from 9/16/20 thru 5/11/23 reference post #494 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hot-marion-30-dec-2018-arrests.414840/page-25
6/12/23 Update: Order of continuance by the court. Jury trial originally scheduled on 6/12/23 was rescheduled to 10/30/23 @ 1pm. Reason: Court's own motion. Next pretrial conference on 9/28/23 @ 8:30am.
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]

Update!

Monday, June 12th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – *Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (16 @ time of crime/17/now 23) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Out on bond 4/12/17.
First trial: after ~20 hours of deliberations verdict was 8 Guilty & 4 Not guilty. Judge declares mistrial.
2nd Re-trial After ~18 hours of deliberations verdict was 4 for Guilty & 8 not guilty. Judge Kelli Johnson declared (another) mistrial.
3rd Re-trial began on 5/2/23 with jury selection & ended 5/19/23 with total of 48 potential jurors back on 5/31/23 for final jury selection.
12 jurors & 4 alternates were selected. (6 women (4 white & 2 Hispanic women) & 10 men (4 Hispanic, 2 Black, 2 white & 2 Asian men). Four of these jurors are alternates, but those 4 are not being told that until it’s time to deliberate.
There are two Marines, engineers in the oil & gas industry, a retired teacher, a Space Center Houston worker & therapists who work or have worked with mental health patients. The jurors range in age from a 26-year-old man to a 65-year-old grandmother.
Trial was set to begin on 6/12/23 continued on 7/31/23. Judge Kelli Johnson presiding. Prosecutors John Jordan, Ryan Trask & Sarah Seely. Defense attorneys Rick Detoto, Jennifer Carpenter & Chris Collings.
Court info from 12/11/19 thru 10/26/22 (2nd trial) thru Jury Selection 5/31/23 thru 6/8/23 reference post #447 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-23
6/12/23 Monday Trial Day 1: The third capital murder trial for Armstrong Jr. was reset again Monday morning. Opening statements are now set for 7/31/23. “There is a continual, ongoing issue that must be addressed," Judge Kelli Johnson said in court. “Please don’t speculate as to what that issue is because the information has not been released.” Opening statements will start at 10:30am on 7/31/23 & the trial is projected to end Aug. 23, 2023.
For more info see posts #450 & 451 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-23

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, June 12th:
*Sentencing Hearing-RESET! (Federal) (@ am PT) - CA – Roman Anthony Lopez (11) (last seen Saturday morning Jan. 11, 2020, found later in evening dead in a storage bin in the basement, Placerville) – death is being investigated as suspicious. *Jordan Thomas Piper (35/now 37) “father” arrested (2/3/21), charged (2/4/21) & arraigned (2/9/21) with 1 count of child abuse likely to cause injury or death & causing cruel & extreme pain for revenge, extortion or sadistic purpose, 1 count of torture & 1 count with willfully failing to provide food, shelter & medical attention to the child. Plead not guilty. $1.05M bond.
Additional charge (10/29/21) & arraigned (11/19/21) of murder. Plead not guilty.
Info on crime, where children are & court info from 2/4/21 to 3/17/23 reference post #94 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-11-jan-2020-arrests-2-guilty-2.629673/page-5
3/28/23 Update: No info on first day of preliminary hearing which continues on 3/29/23. 3/29/23 Update: No info on preliminary hearing which continues on 3/30/23.
3/30/23 Update: Preliminary hearing was vacated. Next pre-preliminary hearing on 6/16/23 @ 8:30am & preliminary hearings on 6/27 & 6/28/23.
*Lindsay Marie Piper (38/now 41) “stepmother” - Plead no contest (5/16/22) to 2nd degree murder. Sentenced on 7/8/22 to 15 years to life with the possibility of parole. Her guilty plea (deal) will dismiss these charges: child abuse, poisoning & torture.
*Federal Criminal complaint filed (6/21/22) & charged (6/23/22) of sexual exploitation of a child/*advertiser censored*. U.S. District Court-Eastern District of Calif. Case #2:22-mj-00097-CKD / U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Barnes/Judge Kendall Newman
Jordan Piper is accused of secretly recording videos of a girl using the bathroom & bathing at his home in the months before Roman disappeared in Placerville, according to a filed FBI affidavit. His criminal case in El Dorado County stemming from his son’s death is still pending.
Court info from 6/21/22 to 1/19/23 reference post #94 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-11-jan-2020-arrests-2-guilty-2.629673/page-5
3/20/23 Update: Piper has plead guilty to sexually exploiting a girl at his home in the months before the boy disappeared in Placerville. Piper on Monday was convicted of sexual exploitation of a child in alleged acts that occurred Oct. 3, 2019, through Jan. 9, 2020, in Tuolumne & El Dorado counties, according to an amended criminal complaint filed March 7 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb explained to Piper that pleading guilty would result in a minimum sentence of 15 years up to a maximum 30-year prison sentence. Piper told the judge he understood the consequences of the plea agreement he made with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Shubb scheduled Piper to return to his courtroom 6/12/23 for sentencing. Piper then would be returned to El Dorado County, where he continues to await prosecution in his son’s death.
6/12/23 Update: Sentencing hearing was reset on 9/5/23 @ 9am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, June 15th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am CT) – AL – J.B. Hilton Green Beasley (17) & Tracie Jean Hawlett (17) (reported missing July 31, 1999, Ozark & found August 2, 1999 in trunk of car) - *Coley Lewis McCraney (25 @ time of crime/45/now 49) arrested (3/15/19), charged (3/16/19) & indicted (6/6/19) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder, 2 counts of 1st degree murder while in the act of murdering two or more persons & 1 count of 1st degree rape (Beasley). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Denied bond request 11/15/22. DA will seek DP.
Parabon Nanolabs GEDMatch DNA.
Trial began on 4/17/23 with jury selection & ended on 4/18/23. 12 jurors & 2 alternates. (7 men & 7 women/2 men alternates). Juror dismissed (4/20/23). Now 12 jurors & 1 alternate (6 men & 6 women/1 man alternate). Jury started deliberations on 4/25/23 & ended on 4/26/23 with a total deliberations: 7 hours. Guilty of all charges. Sentencing phase (4/26-4/27/23): took 15 minutes for verdict of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing hearing on 6/15/23.
Court information from 4/3/19 thru 4/28/23 reference post #923 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...17-ozark-31-july-1999-5-arrest.465871/page-47
5/24/23 Update: Motion for a new trial filed by defense attorneys Andrew J. Scarborough & David J. Harrison. There is a list of exhibits filed. It mostly consisted of screenshots from social media allegedly made by a juror or jurors during the trial. The Court has set a hearing date of 7/17/23 for a hearing on these motions. His sentencing date is 6/15/23.
6/15/23 Update: On Thursday, Dale County Circuit Judge Bill Filmore formally sentenced convicted teen killer Coley McCraney to life without parole. The sentencing was a formality required to affirm punishment given in April by the jury that convicted McCraney of murdering two 17-year-old Dothan students long ago. Afterward, defense attorneys say they plan to allege juror misconduct during a new trial motion & appeals if a judge denied that request. Attorney Andrew Scarborough believes jurors were using social media during deliberations & may have decided on punishment before hearing closing arguments during the trial’s penalty phase. Dale County Judge Bill Filmore, who sentenced McCraney, will preside over that new trial request. Motions hearing for new trial on 7/17/23 @ 10am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, June 15th:
*Sentencing Hearing (all charges) (@ 3:30pm ET) – PA - *Jasmine Jean (4) & Nicole Elisabeth (6) Snyder (missing/last seen since Sept. 2015 & found Nov. 6 & 7, 2021 buried in Williamsport City, Lycoming County; Jasmine: died/was killed on around Aug. 11, 2017 & subsequently buried in 2017 & Nicole: died/was killed around May 10, 2016 & subsequently buried in 2016, both in the back yard on Livermore Rd.) - *Marie Sue Snyder (27 @ time of first crime/32/now 34) “mom” arrested & charged (11/5/21) & recharged & arraigned (1/7/22) with 2 counts of murder, 2 counts endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, concealing the death of a child, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, abuse of corpse, obstruction in child abuse cases, tampering with evidence & charged (6/16/22) with 3rd degree felony theft by deception & fraud to obtain food stamps and/or assistance ($69,866.27). Bond denied on murder, reason: flight risk & danger to society. Bond @ $10K on theft/fraud charges. Plead guilty to these charges of fraud. For murder charge: DA might seek the DP, but if she cooperates, will take DP off the table.
Case info, Affidavit & court info from 11/6/21 to 8/19/22 reference post #170 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...lycoming-co-10-sep-2021-arrests.600153/page-8
10/12/22 Update: Marie Sue Snyder is scheduled to plead guilty on 10/31/22 to 2 counts of 1st degree murder & be sentenced to consecutive life sentences, her attorney, chief public defender Nicole Spring, said Wednesday. The plea also encompasses a second case in which she is charged with making false statements & theft by deception, Spring said. Sentencing on 10/31/22.
10/31/22 Update: Snyder plead guilty in Lycoming County Court to four of the 23 charges against her. Snyder admitted conspiring 10/31/22 Update: with her then-girlfriend Echo Butler to kill the girls & is set to testify against her. Per plea agreement: Snyder plead guilty to: Conspiracy - Criminal Homicide, Conspiracy - Criminal Homicide. Theft By Deception-Fail To Correct & Fraud Obtained Foodstamps/Assistance. Snyder won't be prosecuted for these remaining charges, according to the district attorney's office: Criminal Homicide (2 counts), Endangering Welfare of Children-Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense (2 counts), Unlawful Restraint/Serious Bodily Injury (2 counts), Theft By Deception-Fail To Correct, Conceal Death of Child (2 counts), Recklessly Endangering Another Person (2 counts), Abuse Of Corpse (2 counts), Obstruction, Tampering With/Fabricate Physical Evidence (2 counts) & Theft By Decep-False Impression. Snyder's sentencing has been delayed until after her co-conspirator's trial.
1/19/23 Update: Echo Butler plead guilty & was sentenced. Sentencing hearing on 7/24/23 at 3:30pm.
6/15/23 Update: Sentencing hearing was rescheduled on 6/15/23. Snyder again plead guilty to 2 counts of 1st degree murder & was sentenced to 2 life sentences.
*Echo Lane Butler (21 @ time of first crime/26/now 26) – Plead guilty & sentenced (1/19/23) to 2 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
*Michele Lee Butler (43 @ time of first crime/48/now 50) (mother of Echo) – Plead guilty (4/11/22) & sentencing hearing on 6/23/23.
*Ronald Ray Butler (53/now 54) (father of Echo) – Change of plea hearing on 7/6/23.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, June 19th thru Friday, June 23rd:

Monday, June 19th:
*Trial set to begin with Jury Selection (@ am ET) - LA – Justin McClain Bloxom (12) (Mar. 30, 2010 abducted & murdered, found in a wooded area off U.S. Hwy 171 in Stonewall) – *Brian Douglas Horn (34 @ time of crime/43/now 47) arrested & charged (3/31/10), arraigned (1/3/12) & indicted (6/17/19) with 1st degree murder & 2nd degree kidnapping. Re-indicted & charged (5/3/21) with 1st degree murder, had specific intent to kill & inflict great bodily harm & was engaged in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of 2nd degree kidnapping, cruelty to juvenile & 2nd degree cruelty to juvenile. Plead not guilty (to 1st charges). DA is seeking DP.
*Indicted & charged (3/10/21) with 1st degree murder. DA will seek DP.
Suspect texted Justin pretending to be a 15-yr old girl.
Trial started 3/18/14 & jurors reached a verdict on 4/2/14. Took the jurors about 45 minutes to reach guilty verdict; received the death sentence in May, 2014. Conviction was overturned 9/7/18. 9/7/18: The U.S. Supreme court said Friday that Horn's rights were violated when his lawyer conceded at the 2014 1st degree murder trial that Horn killed Justin in DeSoto Parish. Horn disagreed with that strategy & made it known to the district judge before & during the trial, the ruling said.
Retrial set to begin on 6/19/23 with jury selection. Jury will be picked from Vernon Parish & transported to DeSoto Parish for the trial proceedings. Trial should begin on 6/26/23.
Court hearings from 9/7/18 thru 6/15/19 reference post #127 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...d-stonewall-31-march-2010-guilty.99330/page-7


Friday, June 23rd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) – PA - *Jasmine Jean (4) & Nicole Elisabeth (6) Snyder (missing/last seen since Sept. 2015 & found Nov. 6 & 7, 2021 buried in Williamsport City, Lycoming County; Jasmine: died/was killed on around Aug. 11, 2017 & subsequently buried in 2017 & Nicole: died/was killed around May 10, 2016 & subsequently buried in 2016, both in the back yard on Livermore Rd.) – *Michele Lee Butler (43 @ time of first crime/48/now 50) (mother of Echo) arrested & charged (11/9/21) , recharged & arraigned (1/7/22) with 2 counts of 3rd degree murder, 2 counts of felony endangering the welfare of children, obstruction in child abuse cases, abuse of corpse, concealing the death of a child & tampering with evidence. Bond denied (11/9/21), reason: flight risk & danger to society. Bond changed (12/20/22) to $95K with intensive supervised bail & was released. Plead guilty on 10/4/22. Sentencing date 12/5/22 was changed to 1/6/23 to 6/23/23.
Case info, affidavit & court info from 11/6/21 to 10/14/22 reference post #182 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ycoming-co-10-sep-2021-arrests.600153/page-10
12/5/22 Update: Sentencing was continued. Butler filed motion for bail modification. Hearing set for 12/20/22 & sentencing was continued on 1/6/23.
12/20/22 Update: County Judge Nancy L. Butts on Tuesday approved the defense request for Michele L. Butler, who has been in prison more than a year on charges that include third-degree murder. The judge set bail at $95K but said Butler would not have to post it if approved for intensive supervised bail, a condition of which would be daily reporting. DA Ryan C. Gardner said he did not oppose Butler’s potential release because she has been cooperating & plans to plead guilty. If she is released, she may not have contact with any of the defendants including her husband Ronald. She will need to undergo mental health behavior drug & alcohol assessments, the judge ordered. Next sentencing hearing on 1/6/23 @ 3:39pm.
1/6/23 Update: Sentencing has been rescheduled on 6/23/23.
*Marie Sue Snyder (27 @ time of first crime/32/now 34) “mom” – Fraud: Plead guilty on 10/31/22. Murder: Plead guilty on 10/31/22 & will be sentenced after she testifies at Echo Butler’s trial. Echo plead guilty & was sentenced. Sentencing hearing on 6/15/23 to 2 life sentences.
*Echo Lane Butler (21 @ time of first crime/26/now 27) – Plead guilty on 1/19/23 & sentenced (1/19/23) to 2 consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.
*Ronald Ray Butler (53/now 55) (father of Echo) – Plea hearing on 7/6/23.

*Sentencing (?) Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) - MN - America Mafalda Thayer (55) (July 27, 2021, Shakopee, beheaded) - *Alexis Saborit (42/now 44) arrested (7/28/21), charged (7/30/21) & indicted (9/17/21) with 1st degree premeditated murder & 2nd degree murder. Plead not guilty by reason of mental illness. $2.5M bond increased (9/17/21) to $4M.
Bench Trial began on 1/25/23 & ended on 3/22/23 with a guilty verdict.
Case info & court info from 7/27/21 to 3/22/23 reference post #95 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ed-shakopee-28-july-2021-arrest.579397/page-5
5/11/23 Update: Scott County judge Caroline Lennon delivered the verdict via a court order, finding Saborit guilty of 1st degree murder. According to court documents, the judge found "beyond a reasonable doubt" that Saborit killed Thayer with intent & premeditation. Judge Lennon said in her decision that the nature of the assault — in which Saborit used a dumbbell to initially strike Thayer before turning to the machete — is enough proof to show intent. The judge also pointed out that Saborit showed off the machete to people known to him prior to the murder, which could be a "inference of premeditation." Saborit previously waived his right to a trial by jury & to a speedy trial. Instead, the judge decided Saborit's fate in a stipulated facts trial. The trial took place in January with closing arguments occurring in February & March, according to court records. A review hearing is scheduled for 6/1/23. Saborit's 1st degree murder conviction carries a life sentence. It's likely Saborit won't have any possibility of parole.
6/1/23 Update: Hearing held in person. Order for Release Index #88. Request for interpreter (#89). Next sentencing (?) hearing on 6/23/23 @ 8:30am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, June 22nd:
*Status Conference Hearing (@ 9am CT) - TX - Jazmine Rose Robin (10 weeks), beaten to death by parents, 6/20/19, Houston) - *Jason Paul Robin (24/now 28) arrested (6/24/19), charged & arraigned (11/12/19) with capital murder under 10 years. Plead not guilty. $250K bond.
Trial was set to begin on 5/18/22 continued to 9/21/22 only for Robin has been continued with no further dates.
Court info from 9/21/21 thru 5/4/22 reference post #40 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rents-houston-june-2019-arrests.454228/page-2
5/9/23 Update: Status conference was reset to 6/21/23 @ 9am. 6/21/23 Update: Status conference hearing was reset by Court on 6/22/23 @ 9am.
6/22/23 Update: Robin plead guilty to a lesser offense (murder level F1) & was sentenced to 45 years in prison.
*Katharine Wyndham White (21/now 25) – Pretrial conference hearing on 7/5/23.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, June 23rd:
*Sentencing Hearing-Rescheduled! (@ 8:30am CT) - MN - America Mafalda Thayer (55) (July 27, 2021, Shakopee, beheaded) - *Alexis Saborit (42/now 44) arrested (7/28/21), charged (7/30/21) & indicted (9/17/21) with 1st degree premeditated murder & 2nd degree murder. Plead not guilty by reason of mental illness. $2.5M bond increased (9/17/21) to $4M.
Bench Trial began on 1/25/23 & ended on 3/22/23 with a guilty verdict.
Case info & court info from 7/27/21 to 5/11/23 reference post #97 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ed-shakopee-28-july-2021-arrest.579397/page-5
6/1/23 Update: Hearing held in person. Order for Release Index #88. Request for interpreter (#89). Next sentencing hearing on 6/23/23 @ 8:30am.
6/23/23 Update: Judge Caroline H. Lennon presiding. Hearing held in-person. Index #90-Order for Release: [Bail remains as set previously. 2) Keep Court & attorney informed of any changes of address & stay in touch. 3) Not leave the State of Minnesota without written court approval. 4) Make all future court appearances with the next being Verdict (sentencing) on 7/18/23 @ 1pm. 5) Not possess or consume Alcoholic beverages, controlled substances not prescribed by a physician. 6) Have no use or possession of firearms & surrender all firearms upon release within 3 hours of release. 7) Have no contact with victim. 10) Remain law abiding. 11) Other: Sign releases. Index #91-Exhibit list. Index #92: Order for submissions =-under advisement. Index #93: Request for interpreter. Sentencing hearing was rescheduled on 7/18/23 @ 1pm.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, June 26th thru Friday, June 30th:

Monday, June 26th:
*Change of Plea Hearing (@ 10:30am CT) - IN - Emma Grace Patricia Sweet (2) (Last seen Nov. 24, 2021, reported missing Nov. 25, 2021; found Nov. 28, 2021 -2 ½ miles downstream from the submerged truck. The death certificate filed for 2-year-old Emma indicates her manner of death as homicide & cause of death as complications of hypothermia & asphyxia due to drowning). Also Jeremy Sweet, dad & truck found Nov. 26, 2021 in the East Fork White River, Columbus, Bartholomew County. *Jeremy W. Sweet (38/now 39) arrested (11/28/21) & charged (12/1/21) with neglect of a dependent resulting in death & unlawful possession of syringe. Plead not guilty. $1.2M bond.
No actions were taken by her adult caregiver to rescue Emma from the dangerous environment & this inaction resulted in her death," the Bartholomew County Sheriff alleged in a statement, "and thus the manner of death is homicide."
Trial set to begin on 7/18/23 (tentative date).
Info on case & court info from 11/26/21 thru 3/13/23 reference post #318 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...und-bartholomew-co-24-nov-2021.602863/page-16
3/23/23 Update: Next omnibus hearing on 4/26/23. 4/26/23 Update: Next Change of Plea hearing on 6/26/23 @ 10:30am & pretrial conference on 7/10/23 @ 11am.

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am MT) – CO – William Connole (65) (June 3, 2015, Loveland) – *Christopher David Parker (35/now 40) arrested & charged (8/16/18) & arraigned (2/3/23) with 1st degree murder after deliberations & attempted 1st degree murder after deliberations (in connection with non-injury shooting at a motorcyclist on same day). Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 10/23/23, but took a plea deal (5/9/23) & plead guilty to 2nd murder.
Court info from 9/17/18 thru 2/3/23 reference post #893 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orado-drivers-on-edge-arrest-4.297139/page-45
3/22/23 Update: Next status conference hearing on 5/9/23 @ 10:30am.
5/9/23 Update: Parker plead guilty Tuesday to 2nd degree murder, a Class 2 felony, for killing Connole on 6/3/15. Parker was originally charged with 1st degree murder after deliberation for Connole's death, but that charge was dismissed by the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office as part of this plea agreement. Also initially charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a motorcyclist who was not injured near Allendale Park in Loveland the same day Connole was killed, but that charge was also dismissed as part of this agreement. Sentencing hearing 6/26/23 @9am.

*Trial set to begin (@ am ET) - LA – Justin McClain Bloxom (12) (Mar. 30, 2010 abducted & murdered, found in a wooded area off U.S. Hwy 171 in Stonewall) – *Brian Douglas Horn (34 @ time of crime/43/now 47) arrested & charged (3/31/10), arraigned (1/3/12) & indicted (6/17/19) with 1st degree murder & 2nd degree kidnapping. Re-indicted & charged (5/3/21) with 1st degree murder, had specific intent to kill & inflict great bodily harm & was engaged in the perpetration or attempted perpetration of 2nd degree kidnapping, cruelty to juvenile & 2nd degree cruelty to juvenile. Plead not guilty (to 1st charges). DA is seeking DP.
*Indicted & charged (3/10/21) with 1st degree murder. DA will seek DP.
Suspect texted Justin pretending to be a 15-yr old girl.
Trial started 3/18/14 & jurors reached a verdict on 4/2/14. Took the jurors about 45 minutes to reach guilty verdict; received the death sentence in May, 2014. Conviction was overturned 9/7/18. 9/7/18: The U.S. Supreme court said Friday that Horn's rights were violated when his lawyer conceded at the 2014 1st degree murder trial that Horn killed Justin in DeSoto Parish. Horn disagreed with that strategy & made it known to the district judge before & during the trial, the ruling said.
Retrial began on 6/19/23 with jury selection & ended on 6/22/23. Jury was picked from Vernon Parish & transported to DeSoto Parish for the trial proceedings.
Trial should begin on 6/26/23.
Court hearings from 9/7/18 thru 6/15/19 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (6/19-6/21/23) reference post #196 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-stonewall-31-march-2010-guilty.99330/page-10
6/22/23 Thursday, Jury Selection Day 4: No info available. Jury selection continues on Friday, 6/23/23.
6/23/23 Friday, Jury Selection Day 5: No info available. Trial begins on Monday, 6/26/23.

*Trial continues (Day 27) (@ 10am PT) – British Columbia, Canada – M. S. (13) (last seen alive on July 18, 2017 at a local Tim Hortons, Burney B.C. & her body was found 5 hours later on July 19, 2017 in Burnaby’s Central Park, Vancouver) - *Ibrahim Ali (28/now 32) arrested & charged (9/7/18) & indicted (11/25/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
Police used a new & somewhat controversial “DNA dragnet” technique, after collecting DNA at the crime scene that indicated a suspect of Middle Eastern descent. (He is a Syrian refugee who entered Canada 3 months before murder).
Trial began on 3/17/23 with jury selection & ended on 3/23/23.
Trial began on 4/5/23 & continued on 4/11/23. (expected to run thru June 30 & changed (5/17/23) maybe thru September).
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard presiding. Crown prosecutor Isobel Keeley & defense attorney Ben Lynskey.
Case & court info from 1/29/19 thru Trial Days 1-24 (4/28 thru 6/21/23) reference post #95 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-o-girl-burnaby-bc-18-july-2017.673539/page-5
6/22/23 Thursday, Trial Day 25: Burnaby RCMP Const. Jason Cutler. The jury was also shown video of Ali being booked into custody at the detachment. He appears compliant through the process as officers removed his boots & belt while he faced a wall with his hands up. Videos of the booking had not finished screening by the time court adjourned Thursday. Burnaby RCMP Cpl. Patrick Vandevelk. He told the jury about canvassing the apartment building the victim lived in for video & neighbour statements about the victim's last days.
The building superintendent, Ioan Theodor. See post #96 for more info. Trial continues on Friday, 6/23/23.
6/23/23 Friday, Trial Day 26: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 6/26/23.


Tuesday, June 27th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm PT) – NV – Julia Woodward (21) (last seen Feb. 1, 1979 @ SF airport, found Mar. 25, 1979 near Eagle Canyon in Hungry Valley (15 miles north of Reno) - *Charles Gary Sullivan (33 @ time of crime/77/now 80) indicted (8/25/19), arrested (8/28/19 in Yavapai County, AZ), extradited (11/15/19 to Reno), charged (11/15/19) & arraigned (11/19/19) with open murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 5/22/23, but was cancelled with Sullivan pleading guilty to all charges.
DNA & additional investigation info & Court info from 11/19/19 thru 12/6/22 reference post #213 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hoe-county-1979-arrest-in-2019.275036/page-11
4/27/23 Update: The hearing early on 4/25 instead of 4/27 & then continued it due to “settlement discussions.” There is now a “Change of Plea” hearing on 5/4/23 at 3pm. The 5/22/23 trial date is still on calendar. Looks like he may plead guilty & save everyone from having to go to trial.
5/4/23 Update: Sullivan plead guilty to all charges. Sentencing hearing on 6/27/23 @ 1pm.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, June 26th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am MT) – CO – William Connole (65) (June 3, 2015, Loveland) – *Christopher David Parker (35/now 40) arrested & charged (8/16/18) & arraigned (2/3/23) with 1st degree murder after deliberations & attempted 1st degree murder after deliberations (in connection with non-injury shooting at a motorcyclist on same day). Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 10/23/23, but took a plea deal (5/9/23) & plead guilty to 2nd murder.
Court info from 9/17/18 thru 3/22/23 reference post #899 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orado-drivers-on-edge-arrest-4.297139/page-45
5/9/23 Update: Parker plead guilty Tuesday to 2nd degree murder, a Class 2 felony, for killing Connole on 6/3/15. Parker was originally charged with 1st degree murder after deliberation for Connole's death, but that charge was dismissed by the 8th Judicial District Attorney's Office as part of this plea agreement. Also initially charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a motorcyclist who was not injured near Allendale Park in Loveland the same day Connole was killed, but that charge was also dismissed as part of this agreement. Sentencing hearing 6/26/23 @9am.
6/26/23 Update: On Monday morning the 8-year case came to a close when a Larimer County Judge sentenced Parker, now 40 years old, to 39 years in prison. Parker appeared before 8th Judicial Court Chief Judge Susan Blanco for a multi-hour sentencing hearing Monday, coming around a month-and-a-half after he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, a class 2 felony; he was originally charged with first-degree murder after deliberation, a class 1 felony; and attempted first-degree murder after deliberation, a class 2 felony. He originally pleaded not guilty in February & was scheduled to undergo a 5-week trial starting in October & ending in December.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, June 27th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm PT) – NV – Julia Woodward (21) (last seen Feb. 1, 1979 @ SF airport, found Mar. 25, 1979 near Eagle Canyon in Hungry Valley (15 miles north of Reno) - *Charles Gary Sullivan (33 @ time of crime/77/now 80) indicted (8/25/19), arrested (8/28/19 in Yavapai County, AZ), extradited (11/15/19 to Reno), charged (11/15/19) & arraigned (11/19/19) with open murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 5/22/23, but was cancelled with Sullivan pleading guilty to all charges.
DNA & additional investigation info & Court info from 11/19/19 thru 4/27/23 reference post #216 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...hoe-county-1979-arrest-in-2019.275036/page-11
5/4/23 Update: Sullivan has plead guilty to all charges. Sentencing hearing on 6/27/23 @ 1pm.
6/27/23 Update: Sullivan was sentenced to up to 15 years Tuesday in the killing & attempted sexual assault of Julia found 44 years ago. Court records show three weeks before his trial, Sullivan changed his plea to no contest and was re-scheduled for sentencing. He received nearly four years of credit for time already served in jail & he will be eligible for parole in a little more than a year.