Mother Sentenced In Death Of Toddler Son
A 27-year-old Warren woman has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old son.
Macomb County Circuit Court Judge John Foster also sentenced Crystal Tamara Conklin to nine to 15 years in prison for first-degree child abuse.
The sentences will run concurrently.
A jury had found Conklin guilty last month.
Michael Sowards had returned home from work last June 11 to find their son, Sean, unresponsive.
Sean Sowards was treated for a closed-head injury and died two days later at a local hospital.
Investigators have said the boy had a fractured femur, two missing toenails and bruises all over his body.
Michael Sowards is being charged with child abuse in a separate case.
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Once again... these people make me SICK! Poor liittle boy. No child deserves anything like this. I hope she definantly serves her time in prison for at like 30 years. They should beat her and tear her toenails off just so she can see how it feels! What do you think about this?
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 05, 2008
Teen Gets Prison for Mom's Murder
The teenage girl who pleaded guilty to assisting in her mother's murder was sentenced to more than two decades behind bars on Monday.
Tess Damm, 16, pleaded guilty to helping plan the killing of her 52-year-old mother, Linda Damm. Linda Damm's body was found in the back of her car on Feb. 28, 2007. Police say she had been dead for several weeks. A Boulder County judge sentenced Tess Damm to an 18-year-prison term, set to begin when she turns 21 years old. Up until then, she will serve a 5-year sentence in the Department of Youth Corrections - a total of 23 years behind bars. If Tess serves her entire sentence, she would be released at age 39. The 5-year youth sentence was the maximum allowed under her plea deal. The 18-year sentence in the Department of Corrections was 2 years less than the maximum sentence she could have received. Tess was quiet during the sentencing and sobbed lightly during most of the hour and a half long hearing. Family members of Linda Damm say they were comfortable with the sentence. Tess had previously pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and was scheduled to go on trial this month. On March 3, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, as a juvenile, and to solicitation to commit second-degree murder, as an adult. Tess' boyfriend, Bryan Grove, 18, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Grove had also been charged with first-degree murder, but prosecutors reduced the charge in exchange for his guilty plea last November. He would be eligible for parole after 30 years. Investigators say Tess Damm had complained to police that her mother was an abusive alcoholic and that she asked Grove to kill her. Police said the teens tried twice to get rid of her body but failed. They were planning a third attempt when they were arrested, police said. A third teen pleaded guilty to an accessory charge for helping put the body in the car and was sentenced to two years in youth corrections and six months of parole. A fourth teen pleaded guilty to tampering, for helping others try to dispose of the body. He was sentenced to six months of work release, six months of electronic surveillance and three years of probation.
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Wow. All I can say is wow. This girl could have went to the social services to tell them that her mom was an abusive alcoholic. Obviously if you tell the police the first time and they don't do anything, they won't do anything the second time you tell them. People these days I swear, half of them should be wiped off the earth!!!! What do you think about this situation?
The teenage girl who pleaded guilty to assisting in her mother's murder was sentenced to more than two decades behind bars on Monday.
Tess Damm, 16, pleaded guilty to helping plan the killing of her 52-year-old mother, Linda Damm. Linda Damm's body was found in the back of her car on Feb. 28, 2007. Police say she had been dead for several weeks. A Boulder County judge sentenced Tess Damm to an 18-year-prison term, set to begin when she turns 21 years old. Up until then, she will serve a 5-year sentence in the Department of Youth Corrections - a total of 23 years behind bars. If Tess serves her entire sentence, she would be released at age 39. The 5-year youth sentence was the maximum allowed under her plea deal. The 18-year sentence in the Department of Corrections was 2 years less than the maximum sentence she could have received. Tess was quiet during the sentencing and sobbed lightly during most of the hour and a half long hearing. Family members of Linda Damm say they were comfortable with the sentence. Tess had previously pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and was scheduled to go on trial this month. On March 3, she pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, as a juvenile, and to solicitation to commit second-degree murder, as an adult. Tess' boyfriend, Bryan Grove, 18, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Grove had also been charged with first-degree murder, but prosecutors reduced the charge in exchange for his guilty plea last November. He would be eligible for parole after 30 years. Investigators say Tess Damm had complained to police that her mother was an abusive alcoholic and that she asked Grove to kill her. Police said the teens tried twice to get rid of her body but failed. They were planning a third attempt when they were arrested, police said. A third teen pleaded guilty to an accessory charge for helping put the body in the car and was sentenced to two years in youth corrections and six months of parole. A fourth teen pleaded guilty to tampering, for helping others try to dispose of the body. He was sentenced to six months of work release, six months of electronic surveillance and three years of probation.
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Wow. All I can say is wow. This girl could have went to the social services to tell them that her mom was an abusive alcoholic. Obviously if you tell the police the first time and they don't do anything, they won't do anything the second time you tell them. People these days I swear, half of them should be wiped off the earth!!!! What do you think about this situation?
Friday, April 25, 2008
Boyfriend Charged In New Castle Baby Death
New Castle police charged 23-year-old Mark Strickler in connection with the death of a toddler on Wednesday.
They said Strickler beat his girlfriend's 18-month-old son inside his house so badly that it put him in a coma.
The boy was on life support for 11 days, but died Tuesday night.
New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said there were injuries all over the baby’s body, including the face and chest.
Officials said the mother left for work at 2 o'clock and 45 minutes later Strickler called 911.
Sansone said the baby was found unresponsive with injuries throughout the body.
Neighbors who know the suspect said he's not like this and they don't believe what happened was intentional.
This is pathedic. He obviously isn't that good of a guy if he beats his girlfriends 18 month old to death... People need to put their heads on straight... Dumb ones.
New Castle police charged 23-year-old Mark Strickler in connection with the death of a toddler on Wednesday.
They said Strickler beat his girlfriend's 18-month-old son inside his house so badly that it put him in a coma.
The boy was on life support for 11 days, but died Tuesday night.
New Castle Police Chief Tom Sansone said there were injuries all over the baby’s body, including the face and chest.
Officials said the mother left for work at 2 o'clock and 45 minutes later Strickler called 911.
Sansone said the baby was found unresponsive with injuries throughout the body.
Neighbors who know the suspect said he's not like this and they don't believe what happened was intentional.
This is pathedic. He obviously isn't that good of a guy if he beats his girlfriends 18 month old to death... People need to put their heads on straight... Dumb ones.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Police: Teen Kills Newborn In School Toilet
A 14-year-old gave birth to a baby in a junior high school bathroom and tried to flush the newborn down the toilet, killing the infant, police told KPRC Local 2.
Baytown police said the eighth-grade student delivered the near full-term baby at Cedar Bayou Junior High School, located at 2600 Elvinta, on Wednesday morning while she was alone.
The baby was born alive, investigators said.
"We understand that the baby was alive when it was born and that the girl attempted to flush the child down the toilet. The child died as a result of these actions," said Lt. Eric Freed of the Baytown Police Department.
Another student who walked into the restroom heard the baby crying and ran to get the nurse and assistant principal. But by the time they arrived, officials said, it was too late.
The case is being treated as a homicide, detectives said. Police have not said if the baby was a boy or a girl.
"According to everyone I talked to, no one knew that she was pregnant," said Kathy Clausen of the Goose Creek Independent School District.
The unidentified girl was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
The baby's father is not yet known.
A letter was sent home to parents about the incident.
School counselors will be on hand at the school on Thursday for any students or faculty who want to talk.
"The staff handled it beautifully. I can't tell you they weren't upset because they were. Everyone was upset. It's a very upsetting situation. It's a sad situation," Clausen said.
As news of the tragedy spread throughout the community, parents rushed to the school to pick up their children.
Albert Contreas braced himself for a difficult discussion with his son.
"One life being flushed down the commode. It's God's creation. You don't mess around with God's creation," he said.
Even though the case is being investigated as a homicide, detectives said they are looking into the possibility that the baby's death could have been an accident.
Baytown, Texas, is located about 25 miles east of downtown Houston.
This is the second Houston-area 14-year-old to secretly deliver a baby this week.
A fetus was found in a trash bin aboard a Continental Airlines jet on Sunday. Investigators determined the fetus was stillborn and the Harris County District Attorney's Office declined to press charges against the mother.
This, in my mind, is very unresponsible and pathedic. If she wasn't going to be able to raise a child that she created and developed inside her, why would she go out and have sex? I'm really getting sick of hearing about these 14 year-old girls having baby's and then flushing them down the toilet. There was another girl that did that on an airplane! Every baby deserves a good family and I know there are alot of people that can't have babies so they could've gave them up for adoption.
A 14-year-old gave birth to a baby in a junior high school bathroom and tried to flush the newborn down the toilet, killing the infant, police told KPRC Local 2.
Baytown police said the eighth-grade student delivered the near full-term baby at Cedar Bayou Junior High School, located at 2600 Elvinta, on Wednesday morning while she was alone.
The baby was born alive, investigators said.
"We understand that the baby was alive when it was born and that the girl attempted to flush the child down the toilet. The child died as a result of these actions," said Lt. Eric Freed of the Baytown Police Department.
Another student who walked into the restroom heard the baby crying and ran to get the nurse and assistant principal. But by the time they arrived, officials said, it was too late.
The case is being treated as a homicide, detectives said. Police have not said if the baby was a boy or a girl.
"According to everyone I talked to, no one knew that she was pregnant," said Kathy Clausen of the Goose Creek Independent School District.
The unidentified girl was taken to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
The baby's father is not yet known.
A letter was sent home to parents about the incident.
School counselors will be on hand at the school on Thursday for any students or faculty who want to talk.
"The staff handled it beautifully. I can't tell you they weren't upset because they were. Everyone was upset. It's a very upsetting situation. It's a sad situation," Clausen said.
As news of the tragedy spread throughout the community, parents rushed to the school to pick up their children.
Albert Contreas braced himself for a difficult discussion with his son.
"One life being flushed down the commode. It's God's creation. You don't mess around with God's creation," he said.
Even though the case is being investigated as a homicide, detectives said they are looking into the possibility that the baby's death could have been an accident.
Baytown, Texas, is located about 25 miles east of downtown Houston.
This is the second Houston-area 14-year-old to secretly deliver a baby this week.
A fetus was found in a trash bin aboard a Continental Airlines jet on Sunday. Investigators determined the fetus was stillborn and the Harris County District Attorney's Office declined to press charges against the mother.
This, in my mind, is very unresponsible and pathedic. If she wasn't going to be able to raise a child that she created and developed inside her, why would she go out and have sex? I'm really getting sick of hearing about these 14 year-old girls having baby's and then flushing them down the toilet. There was another girl that did that on an airplane! Every baby deserves a good family and I know there are alot of people that can't have babies so they could've gave them up for adoption.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Killer smiles, families weep as jury recommends death
A jury recommended the death penalty Thursday for a man who murdered a hospital security guard and a sheriff's deputy after escaping from custody.
Families of his victims and his own mother wept as the verdicts were read, but William Morva smiled slightly and snapped his fingers. He nodded to jurors and patted his attorney after he learned his fate.
"He seemed to be acting like he won the lottery," said Harold McFarland, whose son Derrick was one of Morva's victims.
It took about three hours for the Washington County jury to agree that Morva, 26, should be executed rather than face life in prison without parole. That's slightly less than it took the panel Tuesday to convict him of capital murder in the August 2006 killings.
Morva was a jail inmate who had been taken to a Blacksburg hospital for treatment of an injury when he overpowered a Montgomery County sheriff's deputy there. He used the deputy's pistol to shoot security guard Derrick McFarland, 32, who was unarmed.
A day later in the manhunt that followed, Morva shot 40-year-old sheriff's Cpl. Eric Sutphin, who was searching for the fugitive on a walking trail near the Virginia Tech campus.
Cindy McFarland, McFarland's widow, said her tears during the verdict were of happiness.
"He took two innocent people who didn't deserve to die, and now he deserves to die," she said.
Harold McFarland said after Thursday's verdict that he is not a vengeful person but that he thought the death penalty was appropriate in certain cases.
"This is one of them," he said.
Jurors heard heart-rending prosecution testimony about the victims' exemplary lives, but the defense portrayed the killer as an eccentric free spirit with a personality disorder.
Montgomery County Commonwealth's Attorney Brad Finch called for the death penalty in his closing argument, saying Morva's crimes met both legal conditions for the most severe punishment: presenting a danger to society and depravity of mind.
"He is both extremely intelligent and extremely violent," he said. "That is a deadly combination."
Morva "showed no mercy" when he shot McFarland in the face from two feet away, Finch said. He then had more than a day to think about what he had done before he shot Sutphin in the back of the head.
"It did not faze him," he said. "That is depraved."
Defense attorney Tony Anderson said that the killing spree was spawned by Morva's fear of returning to jail and that life in prison would be more severe punishment than death.
Anderson acknowledged that what Morva did was horrible and urged jurors to "lock that jail and throw away the key" because death would represent freedom to his client.
"Don't let your hands unlock the chains, open the door and allow Mr. Morva to escape again," he said.
High school friends of Morva's described him as caring and gentle. But a psychiatrist who examined him after his arrest said he exhibited nearly all of the traits of schizotypal personality disorder, which made him an intense, inflexible person who was unable to see the perspective of others.
The defense said Morva had felt a building sense of frustration in jail, where he had been held for months without bond after his arrest on attempted robbery charges.
The trial had been moved 100 miles from Montgomery County because of difficulty seating a jury there last fall.
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This guys kind of pathedic. I'm glad he is getting the death penalty. I think this world should be peacful... not a place where you have to worry every second of the day about what might happen next. This guy deserves to get done to him what he did to the two other guys. What are you opinions on this??!?!
A jury recommended the death penalty Thursday for a man who murdered a hospital security guard and a sheriff's deputy after escaping from custody.
Families of his victims and his own mother wept as the verdicts were read, but William Morva smiled slightly and snapped his fingers. He nodded to jurors and patted his attorney after he learned his fate.
"He seemed to be acting like he won the lottery," said Harold McFarland, whose son Derrick was one of Morva's victims.
It took about three hours for the Washington County jury to agree that Morva, 26, should be executed rather than face life in prison without parole. That's slightly less than it took the panel Tuesday to convict him of capital murder in the August 2006 killings.
Morva was a jail inmate who had been taken to a Blacksburg hospital for treatment of an injury when he overpowered a Montgomery County sheriff's deputy there. He used the deputy's pistol to shoot security guard Derrick McFarland, 32, who was unarmed.
A day later in the manhunt that followed, Morva shot 40-year-old sheriff's Cpl. Eric Sutphin, who was searching for the fugitive on a walking trail near the Virginia Tech campus.
Cindy McFarland, McFarland's widow, said her tears during the verdict were of happiness.
"He took two innocent people who didn't deserve to die, and now he deserves to die," she said.
Harold McFarland said after Thursday's verdict that he is not a vengeful person but that he thought the death penalty was appropriate in certain cases.
"This is one of them," he said.
Jurors heard heart-rending prosecution testimony about the victims' exemplary lives, but the defense portrayed the killer as an eccentric free spirit with a personality disorder.
Montgomery County Commonwealth's Attorney Brad Finch called for the death penalty in his closing argument, saying Morva's crimes met both legal conditions for the most severe punishment: presenting a danger to society and depravity of mind.
"He is both extremely intelligent and extremely violent," he said. "That is a deadly combination."
Morva "showed no mercy" when he shot McFarland in the face from two feet away, Finch said. He then had more than a day to think about what he had done before he shot Sutphin in the back of the head.
"It did not faze him," he said. "That is depraved."
Defense attorney Tony Anderson said that the killing spree was spawned by Morva's fear of returning to jail and that life in prison would be more severe punishment than death.
Anderson acknowledged that what Morva did was horrible and urged jurors to "lock that jail and throw away the key" because death would represent freedom to his client.
"Don't let your hands unlock the chains, open the door and allow Mr. Morva to escape again," he said.
High school friends of Morva's described him as caring and gentle. But a psychiatrist who examined him after his arrest said he exhibited nearly all of the traits of schizotypal personality disorder, which made him an intense, inflexible person who was unable to see the perspective of others.
The defense said Morva had felt a building sense of frustration in jail, where he had been held for months without bond after his arrest on attempted robbery charges.
The trial had been moved 100 miles from Montgomery County because of difficulty seating a jury there last fall.
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This guys kind of pathedic. I'm glad he is getting the death penalty. I think this world should be peacful... not a place where you have to worry every second of the day about what might happen next. This guy deserves to get done to him what he did to the two other guys. What are you opinions on this??!?!
Monday, February 25, 2008
4 Dead, 1 Critical Following Crash
Police say four people have died in a collision between a car and a logging truck in Hertford County.
The Highway Patrol said the accident happened about 1:15 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 158 west of Winton.
Troopers said four people in the car, McKenzie Hart, 19, Trarica Burke, 21, and Burke's sons Zaiveyon, 1, and 5-month-old Zamarius all died.
Burke's daughter Zanyiah, 3, was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.
Troopers said the car crossed into the path of the truck. Investigators said the truck's right wheels were well off the pavement as the truck tried to avoid the car when the collision occurred.
The truck driver, 35-year-old Kris Outlaw of Windsor, suffered minor injuries. No charges are expected.
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Even if the trucker didn't do it, I think he/she should be charged in the death of four others. What do you think??
Police say four people have died in a collision between a car and a logging truck in Hertford County.
The Highway Patrol said the accident happened about 1:15 p.m. Thursday on U.S. 158 west of Winton.
Troopers said four people in the car, McKenzie Hart, 19, Trarica Burke, 21, and Burke's sons Zaiveyon, 1, and 5-month-old Zamarius all died.
Burke's daughter Zanyiah, 3, was taken to Pitt County Memorial Hospital where she is listed in critical condition.
Troopers said the car crossed into the path of the truck. Investigators said the truck's right wheels were well off the pavement as the truck tried to avoid the car when the collision occurred.
The truck driver, 35-year-old Kris Outlaw of Windsor, suffered minor injuries. No charges are expected.
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Even if the trucker didn't do it, I think he/she should be charged in the death of four others. What do you think??
Friday, February 22, 2008
Jury Finds Mark Jensen Guilty
A jury has found Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of his former wife, Julie Jensen.
He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.
Jurors deliberated more than 14 hours on Tuesday, 9½ hours on Wednesday, and nearly eight hours on Thursday before deciding Mark Jensen's fate.
At the start of deliberations, five jurors thought Mark Jensen was guilty, five were undecided and two thought he was not guilty, 12 News reported.
After the hearing, Mark Jensen was led quietly out of the side of the courtroom by bailiffs. He will be taken to the Kenosha County Jail to be processed before being taken to Dodge County Jail.
Julie Jensen's four brothers spoke at a news conference afterward, thanking the special prosecutor for his passion for the truth. They thanked jurors, law enforcement agents and witnesses who testified against Mark Jensen.
"The witnesses had to endure hardship and muster a lot of courage to come forward," Julie's brother, Michael Griffin, said, adding that he hoped the case would give hope to other victims of domestic violence.
"We can go forward, and this, for me personally, provides some closure and that we can go forward in a positive way, Julie's brother Paul Griffin, said.
After the reading of the verdict, the judge also thanked the jurors for their time and efforts.
Julie Jensen, 40, was found dead in her Pleasant Prairie home on Dec. 3, 1998, after being sick for a few days before.
Throughout the deliberations, jurors asked to see several pieces of evidence.
At about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, jurors asked for the statements of Ted Wojt. Wojt is the neighbor who Julie Jensen gave her letter to for the police in the event of her death. The judge declined that request because Wojt's statements were never introduced into evidence.
The letter implicates Mark Jensen if she were harmed.
"I pray that I am wrong and nothing happens, but I am suspicious of Mark's suspicious behaviors and fear for my early demise," Julie Jensen wrote in the letter.
The defense counters that Julie Jensen was depressed and committed suicide, and that she left the letter to frame her husband.
Jurors also asked for police photos from the scene the day she was found dead, the Jensen family computer's Internet history and 1991 divorce papers that were never acted upon.
Jurors heard from 62 witnesses during six weeks of testimony.
In closing arguments Monday, prosecutor Robert Jambois said Mark Jensen plotted to kill his wife, doing Internet searches on ethylene glycol -- commonly used as antifreeze -- and then giving her sleeping pills and making her drink juice he had spiked. When her health appeared to improve, he pushed her face in a pillow and suffocated her, Jambois claimed.
Jensen's lawyer, Craig Albee, has called witnesses who testified that Julie Jensen was depressed and likely killed herself. Albee claims she framed her husband, who had been cheating on her.
Mark Jensen's former co-worker testified that Jensen told him before his wife died that he wanted to poison her. Two inmates also testified that Jensen confessed to them, and friends testified that Julie Jensen said she was suspicious of her husband. The case largely relied on Julie Jensen's statements and letter until the three of them were found or came forward last year.
Albee said the prosecution's case relied on questionable inmates, a poison expert who misjudged the amount of antifreeze in Julie Jensen's stomach and witnesses whose memories had faded or had been tainted after nearly a decade.
After the verdict, Albee indicated he was disappointed in the outcome, 12 New reporter Colleen Henry said. All along Albee has indicated there will be an appeal.
A jury has found Mark Jensen guilty of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of his former wife, Julie Jensen.
He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.
Jurors deliberated more than 14 hours on Tuesday, 9½ hours on Wednesday, and nearly eight hours on Thursday before deciding Mark Jensen's fate.
At the start of deliberations, five jurors thought Mark Jensen was guilty, five were undecided and two thought he was not guilty, 12 News reported.
After the hearing, Mark Jensen was led quietly out of the side of the courtroom by bailiffs. He will be taken to the Kenosha County Jail to be processed before being taken to Dodge County Jail.
Julie Jensen's four brothers spoke at a news conference afterward, thanking the special prosecutor for his passion for the truth. They thanked jurors, law enforcement agents and witnesses who testified against Mark Jensen.
"The witnesses had to endure hardship and muster a lot of courage to come forward," Julie's brother, Michael Griffin, said, adding that he hoped the case would give hope to other victims of domestic violence.
"We can go forward, and this, for me personally, provides some closure and that we can go forward in a positive way, Julie's brother Paul Griffin, said.
After the reading of the verdict, the judge also thanked the jurors for their time and efforts.
Julie Jensen, 40, was found dead in her Pleasant Prairie home on Dec. 3, 1998, after being sick for a few days before.
Throughout the deliberations, jurors asked to see several pieces of evidence.
At about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, jurors asked for the statements of Ted Wojt. Wojt is the neighbor who Julie Jensen gave her letter to for the police in the event of her death. The judge declined that request because Wojt's statements were never introduced into evidence.
The letter implicates Mark Jensen if she were harmed.
"I pray that I am wrong and nothing happens, but I am suspicious of Mark's suspicious behaviors and fear for my early demise," Julie Jensen wrote in the letter.
The defense counters that Julie Jensen was depressed and committed suicide, and that she left the letter to frame her husband.
Jurors also asked for police photos from the scene the day she was found dead, the Jensen family computer's Internet history and 1991 divorce papers that were never acted upon.
Jurors heard from 62 witnesses during six weeks of testimony.
In closing arguments Monday, prosecutor Robert Jambois said Mark Jensen plotted to kill his wife, doing Internet searches on ethylene glycol -- commonly used as antifreeze -- and then giving her sleeping pills and making her drink juice he had spiked. When her health appeared to improve, he pushed her face in a pillow and suffocated her, Jambois claimed.
Jensen's lawyer, Craig Albee, has called witnesses who testified that Julie Jensen was depressed and likely killed herself. Albee claims she framed her husband, who had been cheating on her.
Mark Jensen's former co-worker testified that Jensen told him before his wife died that he wanted to poison her. Two inmates also testified that Jensen confessed to them, and friends testified that Julie Jensen said she was suspicious of her husband. The case largely relied on Julie Jensen's statements and letter until the three of them were found or came forward last year.
Albee said the prosecution's case relied on questionable inmates, a poison expert who misjudged the amount of antifreeze in Julie Jensen's stomach and witnesses whose memories had faded or had been tainted after nearly a decade.
After the verdict, Albee indicated he was disappointed in the outcome, 12 New reporter Colleen Henry said. All along Albee has indicated there will be an appeal.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Toddler Falls From Two-Story Window
Police said they were called out an apartment complex on the 6400 block of Fairbanks in Northeast El Paso after 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in response to a child falling from a window.
When police arrived, emergency crews were performing CPR.
Police said the unidentified 2-year-old boy fell from a second-story window.
"If I fell out of it, I'm pretty sure I would break a couple of bones," said Northeast El Paso resident Adrial Hervias.
Many residents questioned how this could happen, knowing infants can be curious and should be tended to at all times.
"It's kind of sad actually. I wonder what their parents were doing," said Hervias.
"Where were the parents? They should be watching the infant. What were they doing with the window open with an infant in the house in the first place?" said Nilda Martinez, Northeast El Paso resident.
Police said a caretaker was looking after the child, not the parents.
"At this time, the information we have is that he is in critical condition and we do have our crimes against children responding to investigate the matter." said El Paso police Officer Aldolf Borjon
The child was taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center to treat his injuries.
Police remind parents that infants are active, and if you leave them alone for a short period of time, bad things can happen.
Police said they were called out an apartment complex on the 6400 block of Fairbanks in Northeast El Paso after 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon in response to a child falling from a window.
When police arrived, emergency crews were performing CPR.
Police said the unidentified 2-year-old boy fell from a second-story window.
"If I fell out of it, I'm pretty sure I would break a couple of bones," said Northeast El Paso resident Adrial Hervias.
Many residents questioned how this could happen, knowing infants can be curious and should be tended to at all times.
"It's kind of sad actually. I wonder what their parents were doing," said Hervias.
"Where were the parents? They should be watching the infant. What were they doing with the window open with an infant in the house in the first place?" said Nilda Martinez, Northeast El Paso resident.
Police said a caretaker was looking after the child, not the parents.
"At this time, the information we have is that he is in critical condition and we do have our crimes against children responding to investigate the matter." said El Paso police Officer Aldolf Borjon
The child was taken to William Beaumont Army Medical Center to treat his injuries.
Police remind parents that infants are active, and if you leave them alone for a short period of time, bad things can happen.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Teacher Accused Of Duct-Taping Boy To Desk
A middle school teacher accused of using duct tape to bind a student to his desk was suspended for more than a week without pay for the alleged incident.
The Duval County School Board voted on Tuesday to suspend Kasey Goodin for 10 days without pay.
The school board made its decision after hearing the teacher's version of what happened inside the Kirby-Smith Middle School classroom, WJXT reported.
The district said Goodin told investigators the taping incident was a joke.
However, board members didn't think it was funny.
"It's just not funny for a child to be taped, whether it's in jest or it's a disciplinary measure," said school board chair Betty Burney.
In Goodin's written account of what happened in the classroom, the teacher said, "There was a light-hearted mood in the class as I walked to the supply closet and removed a roll of purple duct tape and a roll of masking tape … The class was laughing. I was laughing. The student was laughing."
WJXT was told Goodin took that duct tape and taped the student's leg to his desk before she used the masking tape to tape his hands and his face.
"The masking tape was applied to the student's hands. The student immediately removed it, laughing throughout the incident. Within the next few minutes, the 'play' was over, the tape was removed," the teacher wrote in her statement.
She ended her account stating, "This incident, was in reality, an opportunity to have fun with the students while getting a message to them. Looking back, I know that it was inappropriate for me to break the lines of formality."
The student involved has since been removed from Goodin's classroom.
"The reason why we didn't go for something as severe as dismissal, it did appear at least it started out as something more lighthearted," said Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.
Board members said the teaching position at Kirby is the teacher's first job and she has shown good behavior in the past.
"I understand that it was a young teacher. I just felt that we needed to send a stronger message," said Burney.
Burney was the only board member who voted against Goodin's 10-day suspension, saying she didn't think the punishment was harsh enough.
Board members also voted that the teacher should get counseling.
A middle school teacher accused of using duct tape to bind a student to his desk was suspended for more than a week without pay for the alleged incident.
The Duval County School Board voted on Tuesday to suspend Kasey Goodin for 10 days without pay.
The school board made its decision after hearing the teacher's version of what happened inside the Kirby-Smith Middle School classroom, WJXT reported.
The district said Goodin told investigators the taping incident was a joke.
However, board members didn't think it was funny.
"It's just not funny for a child to be taped, whether it's in jest or it's a disciplinary measure," said school board chair Betty Burney.
In Goodin's written account of what happened in the classroom, the teacher said, "There was a light-hearted mood in the class as I walked to the supply closet and removed a roll of purple duct tape and a roll of masking tape … The class was laughing. I was laughing. The student was laughing."
WJXT was told Goodin took that duct tape and taped the student's leg to his desk before she used the masking tape to tape his hands and his face.
"The masking tape was applied to the student's hands. The student immediately removed it, laughing throughout the incident. Within the next few minutes, the 'play' was over, the tape was removed," the teacher wrote in her statement.
She ended her account stating, "This incident, was in reality, an opportunity to have fun with the students while getting a message to them. Looking back, I know that it was inappropriate for me to break the lines of formality."
The student involved has since been removed from Goodin's classroom.
"The reason why we didn't go for something as severe as dismissal, it did appear at least it started out as something more lighthearted," said Duval County Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals.
Board members said the teaching position at Kirby is the teacher's first job and she has shown good behavior in the past.
"I understand that it was a young teacher. I just felt that we needed to send a stronger message," said Burney.
Burney was the only board member who voted against Goodin's 10-day suspension, saying she didn't think the punishment was harsh enough.
Board members also voted that the teacher should get counseling.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Police: Level 3 Sex Offender Molests Boy At Library
A Level 3 sex offender was arrested after police said he molested a 6-year-old boy in the children's room of the New Bedford Public Library.
Corey Deen Saunders, 26, of 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, was charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; rape of a child under 16 (second offense); and enticing a child under 16.
Police said Saunders fondled and performed oral sex on the boy in a secluded corner of the library. A librarian later saw the child with the man, and found his picture online and an article about his past. The child's mother was working on a computer in another part of the library.
Police arrested Saunders a short time later near the library.
Saunders is being held at the Bristol County House of Corrections pending a dangerousness hearing on Feb. 7.
Saunders moved back to New Bedford a few weeks ago, and was registered as a Level 3 sex offender with the city. Level 3 is the most serious sex offender designation and is given to offenders considered most likely to reoffend.
Police said they are outraged that Saunders was allowed in public, saying a Bristol County judge was warned by psychologists that Saunders posed a serious danger if he was released from prison.
"I believe that sexually dangerous people should be held at the exit doors of the courthouse, not at the front doors of the library," New Bedford Police Chief Ronald Teachman said.
"I am disgusted by the facts that he was able to be among the public on the streets. He never should have been released. I think it is a travesty of justice," said New Bedford police Lt. Jeffrey Silva.
Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter released a written statement saying he could not comment on the judge's decision.
"It is a tragedy that this took place. This incident dramatizes exactly why we have a Sexually Dangerous Persons protocol. I can not, however, comment on what the Superior Court Judge did because I was not involved in that case nor was my administration in any way. It would be inappropriate for me to comment. I'm sure there will be times when I feel the need to comment on a judicial decision that leads to adverse consequences. This is not one off them," Sutter's statement said.
There are 50 Level 3 sex offenders registered in New Bedford.
"The issue here is whether Corey Saunders should have been allowed out in society and been allowed at that library last night or anywhere children are," Silva said.
Saunders has been in Department of Social Services custody since he was 12, and was removed from two facilities after officials said other children were at risk, according to the New Bedford Standard Times.
When Saunders was 17, he was placed in a foster home in Attleboro, where within seven hours of arriving he was arrested on charges of assault with intent to rape; indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; and attempting to commit unnatural intercourse, the paper said.
A Level 3 sex offender was arrested after police said he molested a 6-year-old boy in the children's room of the New Bedford Public Library.
Corey Deen Saunders, 26, of 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, was charged with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; rape of a child under 16 (second offense); and enticing a child under 16.
Police said Saunders fondled and performed oral sex on the boy in a secluded corner of the library. A librarian later saw the child with the man, and found his picture online and an article about his past. The child's mother was working on a computer in another part of the library.
Police arrested Saunders a short time later near the library.
Saunders is being held at the Bristol County House of Corrections pending a dangerousness hearing on Feb. 7.
Saunders moved back to New Bedford a few weeks ago, and was registered as a Level 3 sex offender with the city. Level 3 is the most serious sex offender designation and is given to offenders considered most likely to reoffend.
Police said they are outraged that Saunders was allowed in public, saying a Bristol County judge was warned by psychologists that Saunders posed a serious danger if he was released from prison.
"I believe that sexually dangerous people should be held at the exit doors of the courthouse, not at the front doors of the library," New Bedford Police Chief Ronald Teachman said.
"I am disgusted by the facts that he was able to be among the public on the streets. He never should have been released. I think it is a travesty of justice," said New Bedford police Lt. Jeffrey Silva.
Bristol County District Attorney C. Samuel Sutter released a written statement saying he could not comment on the judge's decision.
"It is a tragedy that this took place. This incident dramatizes exactly why we have a Sexually Dangerous Persons protocol. I can not, however, comment on what the Superior Court Judge did because I was not involved in that case nor was my administration in any way. It would be inappropriate for me to comment. I'm sure there will be times when I feel the need to comment on a judicial decision that leads to adverse consequences. This is not one off them," Sutter's statement said.
There are 50 Level 3 sex offenders registered in New Bedford.
"The issue here is whether Corey Saunders should have been allowed out in society and been allowed at that library last night or anywhere children are," Silva said.
Saunders has been in Department of Social Services custody since he was 12, and was removed from two facilities after officials said other children were at risk, according to the New Bedford Standard Times.
When Saunders was 17, he was placed in a foster home in Attleboro, where within seven hours of arriving he was arrested on charges of assault with intent to rape; indecent assault and battery on a child under 14; and attempting to commit unnatural intercourse, the paper said.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Babysitter Says Split Second Decision Cost Toddler's Life
An Omaha mother of seven children is going to prison for at least 11 years after being convicted in the death of 17-month-old Rosalyn Clarke.
"This was a blink of an eye, split second reaction to her pulling my hair, something minor," said Chantal Randall at the Omaha Correctional Center Tuesday afternoon.
The 31-year-old woman who pleaded no contest to child abuse resulting in death was sentenced Tuesday to between 25 and 35 years in prison. She could be eligible for parole in 11 to 16 years.
Randall told police she hit 17-month-old Rosalyn Clarke in the abdomen, then spent hours holding the child.
The child suffered blunt-force trauma to the liver and died from her injuries, investigators said.
"I wrapped her in the blanket and I cradled her in my arms and I rocked her on my bed. I did not call 911 and it wasn't even a thought, for some reason at the time. All I could think of to do was to comfort this child and hold on to this child," Randall said.
She said she dressed the girl and put her in her family van to pick up another child at school. It was at that time Randall said she put a quarter in the girl's throat to make it look as if the girl had choked.
"If she snapped, call 911. She was able to put her in the car seat, able to drive her. I could see a light sentence if she called 911 quickly," said Kevin Clarke, Rosalyn's father.
Clarke said the way Randall tried to hide the toddler's death is unforgiveable. He said he wanted Randall to receive the death penalty. He said he was disappointed with the 25 to 35 year prison sentence.
Randall said she is deeply sorry for her actions.
"I get to go home. I get to go home. Rosie doesn't go home," she said.
Randall was in tears as she spoke to the judge on Tuesday. She said there are no words that can express how deeply sorry she is.
Judge Joseph Troia said he took into account several letters written in Randall's support. He also said there's nothing that can bring Rosie back.
Randall later said in prison she wouldn't make excuses for her actions. She said she was pregnant with twins and caring for 5 of her own children and she was overwhelmed.
The prosecution said the sentence is fair.
Randall's fiancé, Ray Miller, who is the father to five of her seven children, said he's standing by her.
"The picture most people have of her is a monster, and she's not," he said. "She's a very caring, loving mother. Loved people. Loved kids -- mainly kids. She just loved kids."
Miller said he can't imagine being in the Clarke family's position.
"Knowing that they lost their daughter, I mean, I can't fathom not having one of my children. I can't imagine what the Clarkes have gone through," Miller said. "My heart goes out to the Clarkes. I pray for them and hope they can find forgiveness someday in their heart."
Randall received credit for the 517 days she has already served.
An Omaha mother of seven children is going to prison for at least 11 years after being convicted in the death of 17-month-old Rosalyn Clarke.
"This was a blink of an eye, split second reaction to her pulling my hair, something minor," said Chantal Randall at the Omaha Correctional Center Tuesday afternoon.
The 31-year-old woman who pleaded no contest to child abuse resulting in death was sentenced Tuesday to between 25 and 35 years in prison. She could be eligible for parole in 11 to 16 years.
Randall told police she hit 17-month-old Rosalyn Clarke in the abdomen, then spent hours holding the child.
The child suffered blunt-force trauma to the liver and died from her injuries, investigators said.
"I wrapped her in the blanket and I cradled her in my arms and I rocked her on my bed. I did not call 911 and it wasn't even a thought, for some reason at the time. All I could think of to do was to comfort this child and hold on to this child," Randall said.
She said she dressed the girl and put her in her family van to pick up another child at school. It was at that time Randall said she put a quarter in the girl's throat to make it look as if the girl had choked.
"If she snapped, call 911. She was able to put her in the car seat, able to drive her. I could see a light sentence if she called 911 quickly," said Kevin Clarke, Rosalyn's father.
Clarke said the way Randall tried to hide the toddler's death is unforgiveable. He said he wanted Randall to receive the death penalty. He said he was disappointed with the 25 to 35 year prison sentence.
Randall said she is deeply sorry for her actions.
"I get to go home. I get to go home. Rosie doesn't go home," she said.
Randall was in tears as she spoke to the judge on Tuesday. She said there are no words that can express how deeply sorry she is.
Judge Joseph Troia said he took into account several letters written in Randall's support. He also said there's nothing that can bring Rosie back.
Randall later said in prison she wouldn't make excuses for her actions. She said she was pregnant with twins and caring for 5 of her own children and she was overwhelmed.
The prosecution said the sentence is fair.
Randall's fiancé, Ray Miller, who is the father to five of her seven children, said he's standing by her.
"The picture most people have of her is a monster, and she's not," he said. "She's a very caring, loving mother. Loved people. Loved kids -- mainly kids. She just loved kids."
Miller said he can't imagine being in the Clarke family's position.
"Knowing that they lost their daughter, I mean, I can't fathom not having one of my children. I can't imagine what the Clarkes have gone through," Miller said. "My heart goes out to the Clarkes. I pray for them and hope they can find forgiveness someday in their heart."
Randall received credit for the 517 days she has already served.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Husband Arrested After Wife's Body Found In Freezer
A 27-year-old man is in jail in southwest Georgia charged with murder after his wife's body was found in a freezer.
Deputies with the Worth County Sheriff's Department were called to the home about 6 p.m. Friday. Georgia Bureau of Investigation assistant special agent in charge Mark Pro says family members contacted authorities after going to the home to work on the freezer and finding the body of 55-year-old Linda White.
Investigators say Jacob White was inside the home when deputies arrived. He was taken to the Worth County Jail for questioning.
Pro says authorities charged him with murder on Saturday morning.
Investigators believe Linda White was killed between Tuesday and Friday. Her body has been taken to the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County for an autopsy.
Jacob White remains in jail.
A 27-year-old man is in jail in southwest Georgia charged with murder after his wife's body was found in a freezer.
Deputies with the Worth County Sheriff's Department were called to the home about 6 p.m. Friday. Georgia Bureau of Investigation assistant special agent in charge Mark Pro says family members contacted authorities after going to the home to work on the freezer and finding the body of 55-year-old Linda White.
Investigators say Jacob White was inside the home when deputies arrived. He was taken to the Worth County Jail for questioning.
Pro says authorities charged him with murder on Saturday morning.
Investigators believe Linda White was killed between Tuesday and Friday. Her body has been taken to the GBI Crime Lab in DeKalb County for an autopsy.
Jacob White remains in jail.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Mom goes on trial in baby's microwave death
Investigators believe China Arnold killed her infant daughter by putting her in a microwave oven. Arnold's attorneys argue she had nothing to do with the baby's death in 2005.
Jury selection for Arnold was scheduled to begin Monday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Arnold, 27, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Police investigators believe Arnold killed 1-month-old Paris Talley by putting her in a microwave at her home.
Coroner's officials have said the baby suffered high-heat internal injuries and had no external burns. They have ruled out scalding water, open flame or other possible causes of death that could have damaged the skin.
Defense attorney Jon Paul Rion has said Arnold had nothing to do with her daughter's death and was stunned when investigators told her that a microwave might have been involved. Arnold took the baby to the hospital after finding her unconscious and does not know how she died, Rion said.
During a pretrial hearing in July, police Detective Michael Galbraith said Arnold told him she arrived home in the early morning hours after drinking, fell asleep and was awakened at 2:30 a.m. by the baby's crying.
She said she warmed a bottle in the microwave oven, tried to give it to the baby, changed the child's diaper and then fell asleep on the couch with the baby on her chest.
Arnold said she and her children were the only ones in the apartment until her boyfriend arrived several hours later and noticed something was wrong with the baby.
Galbraith said Arnold told him: "If I hadn't gotten so drunk, I guess my baby wouldn't have died."
When cross-examined by Rion, Galbraith acknowledged that Arnold told him she did not know how the baby suffered the burns and that she had nothing to do with it that she could recall.
Earlier this month, defense witness Robert Belloto, a staff pharmacist at Good Samaritan Hospital, testified he does not believe it would have been possible for Arnold to place the baby in the microwave because the woman was so intoxicated.
Belloto said Arnold told him she had consumed about 40 percent of a pint of high-proof rum in 90 minutes. But he acknowledged that he had no other corroboration for her claim.
Investigators believe China Arnold killed her infant daughter by putting her in a microwave oven. Arnold's attorneys argue she had nothing to do with the baby's death in 2005.
Jury selection for Arnold was scheduled to begin Monday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Arnold, 27, has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder. If convicted, she could face the death penalty.
Police investigators believe Arnold killed 1-month-old Paris Talley by putting her in a microwave at her home.
Coroner's officials have said the baby suffered high-heat internal injuries and had no external burns. They have ruled out scalding water, open flame or other possible causes of death that could have damaged the skin.
Defense attorney Jon Paul Rion has said Arnold had nothing to do with her daughter's death and was stunned when investigators told her that a microwave might have been involved. Arnold took the baby to the hospital after finding her unconscious and does not know how she died, Rion said.
During a pretrial hearing in July, police Detective Michael Galbraith said Arnold told him she arrived home in the early morning hours after drinking, fell asleep and was awakened at 2:30 a.m. by the baby's crying.
She said she warmed a bottle in the microwave oven, tried to give it to the baby, changed the child's diaper and then fell asleep on the couch with the baby on her chest.
Arnold said she and her children were the only ones in the apartment until her boyfriend arrived several hours later and noticed something was wrong with the baby.
Galbraith said Arnold told him: "If I hadn't gotten so drunk, I guess my baby wouldn't have died."
When cross-examined by Rion, Galbraith acknowledged that Arnold told him she did not know how the baby suffered the burns and that she had nothing to do with it that she could recall.
Earlier this month, defense witness Robert Belloto, a staff pharmacist at Good Samaritan Hospital, testified he does not believe it would have been possible for Arnold to place the baby in the microwave because the woman was so intoxicated.
Belloto said Arnold told him she had consumed about 40 percent of a pint of high-proof rum in 90 minutes. But he acknowledged that he had no other corroboration for her claim.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Police: Dad Fatally Slammed Girl's Head
Police said a 17-month-old child, allegedly injured by her father when she wouldn't quit crying, died today.
The little girl had undergone surgery for severe head injuries on Friday and had been listed in critical condition since then.
Bossier City police said her father Lance David Thamm, 34, is accused of pushing the child's head into a doorjamb with violent force after he became frustrated with her because she wouldn't quit crying.
Thamm had been jailed on attempted murder charges. Those charges could be upgraded to first-degree murder charges now that the child has died.
Fire Department paramedics were called to a Bossier City apartment Friday in response to a call that the little girl was unresponsive. The mother came home after talking to Thamm on the phone and then called 911.
Police say Thamm had told the mother that the toddler was hurt and he didn't know what happened.
Police began investigating after medical personnel at Christus Schumpert Hospital alerted them.
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That poor little girl. How could he harm his daughter? That's rediculous! I don't like people like this. I've said that before and I'm sticking to my word. What do think about this?
Police said a 17-month-old child, allegedly injured by her father when she wouldn't quit crying, died today.
The little girl had undergone surgery for severe head injuries on Friday and had been listed in critical condition since then.
Bossier City police said her father Lance David Thamm, 34, is accused of pushing the child's head into a doorjamb with violent force after he became frustrated with her because she wouldn't quit crying.
Thamm had been jailed on attempted murder charges. Those charges could be upgraded to first-degree murder charges now that the child has died.
Fire Department paramedics were called to a Bossier City apartment Friday in response to a call that the little girl was unresponsive. The mother came home after talking to Thamm on the phone and then called 911.
Police say Thamm had told the mother that the toddler was hurt and he didn't know what happened.
Police began investigating after medical personnel at Christus Schumpert Hospital alerted them.
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That poor little girl. How could he harm his daughter? That's rediculous! I don't like people like this. I've said that before and I'm sticking to my word. What do think about this?
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Affidavit: Man Threw 4-Year-Old Against Door, Bed, Floor
For the past three months, a 4-year-old girl was the victim of continuous, violent abuse in the hands of her mother and her mother's boyfriend, according to court documents released Thursday.
Madyson Bogard died Wednesday night after she was rushed to the hospital earlier this week, unconscious and with a serious head injury.
Autopsy results released Friday indicated that Bogard died from a head injury resulting from blunt force trauma. The El Paso County Coroner ruled her death a homicide.
The girl's mother, Chrystie Marie Hardy, and her mother's boyfriend, Mark Alton Friend, had initially claimed that the girl slipped and fell on ice.
However, after being interviewed by detectives, Hardy and Friend admitted to hitting Madyson several times since October 2007.
"Friend said he threw Madyson against a door and that she hit her head on the door knob," the affidavit said.
Hardy told detectives she warned Friend to be careful because Madyson could get brain damage but then after that, she struck Madyson on the head hard enough that it made her own hand tingle.
"Friend also said he threw Madyson against a metal bed where she her hit her head with so much force that it caused her to bounce back and hit her head again on the floor," the affidavit said.
Madyson's mother said she saw "him hold Madyson's face under water in the bathtub, not allowing her to breathe," the affidavit said.
Friend also admitted to "flicking" Madyson in her private parts. Both adults witnessed Madyson have seizures but they never sought medical care for her, they said.
The girl had bruising in several places on her body including her forehead, arms and knees, doctors said. There was also evidence of sex assault, said Dr. Marla Moore, with the pediatric intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital.
Madyson had a serious head injury (subdural hematoma) that was less than 72 hours old, and most likely only a few hours old, when she was rushed to hospital Tuesday at 2 a.m.
A neurosurgeon told police that Madyson was "essentially dead" when she had arrived.
Hardy and Friend are being held in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center for investigation of first-degree murder.
For the past three months, a 4-year-old girl was the victim of continuous, violent abuse in the hands of her mother and her mother's boyfriend, according to court documents released Thursday.
Madyson Bogard died Wednesday night after she was rushed to the hospital earlier this week, unconscious and with a serious head injury.
Autopsy results released Friday indicated that Bogard died from a head injury resulting from blunt force trauma. The El Paso County Coroner ruled her death a homicide.
The girl's mother, Chrystie Marie Hardy, and her mother's boyfriend, Mark Alton Friend, had initially claimed that the girl slipped and fell on ice.
However, after being interviewed by detectives, Hardy and Friend admitted to hitting Madyson several times since October 2007.
"Friend said he threw Madyson against a door and that she hit her head on the door knob," the affidavit said.
Hardy told detectives she warned Friend to be careful because Madyson could get brain damage but then after that, she struck Madyson on the head hard enough that it made her own hand tingle.
"Friend also said he threw Madyson against a metal bed where she her hit her head with so much force that it caused her to bounce back and hit her head again on the floor," the affidavit said.
Madyson's mother said she saw "him hold Madyson's face under water in the bathtub, not allowing her to breathe," the affidavit said.
Friend also admitted to "flicking" Madyson in her private parts. Both adults witnessed Madyson have seizures but they never sought medical care for her, they said.
The girl had bruising in several places on her body including her forehead, arms and knees, doctors said. There was also evidence of sex assault, said Dr. Marla Moore, with the pediatric intensive care unit at Memorial Hospital.
Madyson had a serious head injury (subdural hematoma) that was less than 72 hours old, and most likely only a few hours old, when she was rushed to hospital Tuesday at 2 a.m.
A neurosurgeon told police that Madyson was "essentially dead" when she had arrived.
Hardy and Friend are being held in the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center for investigation of first-degree murder.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Man Admits Raping Girl, Killing Her With Sink In 1987
A man accused of raping and killing a girl in 1987 after DNA evidence tied him to the crime has admitted his guilt.
Christopher Ballard told a three-judge panel on Thursday that he raped Tina Dukes, 11, in October 1987 at a house on John Street.
Ballard said that he also killed Dukes by smashing her face with a sink.
Police found her body on Oct. 18, nine days after she was reported missing by her mother.
Ballard was identified as a suspect based on a DNA sample he provided when he was released from the Pickaway Correctional Institution in Orient in 2005, authorities said.
“I just thank God for DNA, because (if it) hadn't been for DNA, they never would have found him,” said Thomas Dukes, the victim’s uncle. “He had no intention of turning himself in.”
The judges will decide on Feb. 1 whether to accept Ballard's plea, and he could also be sentenced in the same hearing.
Ballard could get the death penalty, prosecutors said.
“He needs to rot in hell for what he did, the way he did it, burnt that baby's body like that,” said Anthony Dukes, the victim’s uncle and pastor. “He needs to rot in hell.”
A man accused of raping and killing a girl in 1987 after DNA evidence tied him to the crime has admitted his guilt.
Christopher Ballard told a three-judge panel on Thursday that he raped Tina Dukes, 11, in October 1987 at a house on John Street.
Ballard said that he also killed Dukes by smashing her face with a sink.
Police found her body on Oct. 18, nine days after she was reported missing by her mother.
Ballard was identified as a suspect based on a DNA sample he provided when he was released from the Pickaway Correctional Institution in Orient in 2005, authorities said.
“I just thank God for DNA, because (if it) hadn't been for DNA, they never would have found him,” said Thomas Dukes, the victim’s uncle. “He had no intention of turning himself in.”
The judges will decide on Feb. 1 whether to accept Ballard's plea, and he could also be sentenced in the same hearing.
Ballard could get the death penalty, prosecutors said.
“He needs to rot in hell for what he did, the way he did it, burnt that baby's body like that,” said Anthony Dukes, the victim’s uncle and pastor. “He needs to rot in hell.”
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Woman Admits To Leaving Newborn To Die In Restroom
DENVER -- A woman accused of giving birth in the bathroom of a North Cherry Creek sports bar in 2004 and leaving the baby to die pleaded guilty Wednesday in connection with the case. Erin Pendleton, 31, pleaded guilty to child abuse resulting in death.
She will face up to 40 years in prison when she is sentenced on Feb. 28.
The body of the full-term newborn boy was found in the women's restroom of Legends Bar and Grill by a janitor on June 26, 2004. The newborn was stuffed in a plastic bag, at the bottom of the trash bin, covered in a layer of trash, according to the arrest affidavit.
Pendleton had been at the bar the previous night and had given birth in a bathroom stall.
According to the arrest affidavit, Pendleton continued bar-hopping with her friends after she had delivered.
Two friends who were with Pendleton told police that she left their table for about 90 minutes and was later found in the women's restroom clutching a vest around her waist. She told her friends that she had passed a kidney stone and was bleeding.
The women then left the bar and went to the home of one of the friends, where Pendleton borrowed some clothes to replace her bloody outfit. After changing, she left with her friends for another bar, where they continued drinking, the affidavit said.
Detectives were able to locate Pendleton by tracing a credit card receipt used in the bar after a waiter described a woman "layered in clothing and acting ill."
The Denver coroner said the infant was born alive but died of asphyxiation.
This is dumb... what kind of person would do this to their child?
What do you think about this???
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Teens accused of pimping girls
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Several teenage gang members have been arrested on suspicion of forcing girls as young as 12 into a prostitution ring, police said Tuesday.
After befriending the girls and getting them high, Varrio Central gang members took them to some regular customers and then sought other men by trolling apartment complexes, offering the girls' services for $50, Fort Worth police Lt. Ken Dean said.
The gang apparently targeted runaways and other girls with unstable homes, and if the girls refused to have sex for money the members beat and sexually assaulted them and threatened their families, Dean said.
"The age of the victims and suspects is the surprising part of it," Dean said. "To have such young individuals in a somewhat organized business, a forced prostitution ring, is somewhat alarming and such a horrendous crime against the 12- to 16-year-old girls."
Fort Worth detectives found five victims, ages 12 to 16, but believe there may be more. Those girls are back with relatives or in other safe places, he said, declining to elaborate.
A 15-year-old girl who may be a gang member helped the suspects by going to the victims' houses to pick them up under the pretense of going shopping or to a movie, which fooled the parents, said Lt. Dan Draper. Watch mom react to teen prostitution arrests »
Four alleged gang members were arrested January 3 after they took a 14-year-old to a convenience store to have sex with the owner, a regular customer of the prostitution ring, police said.
Diego Rodriguez, 19, and Martin Reyes, 17, were charged with counts including engaging in organized criminal activity, aggravated kidnapping and trafficking of a person. Rodriguez, held on $170,000 bond, did not have an attorney, and a lawyer for Reyes, held on $150,000 bond, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The cases of two boys, ages 15 and 16, and the 15-year-old girl accused of helping the gang are being handled in the juvenile system. Police expect more arrests as the investigation continues, Dean said.
The convenience store owner, Chang Hyeong Lee, 56, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, engaging in organized criminal activity and prostitution. He remained jailed Tuesday with bail set at $300,000. His attorney could not immediately be reached.
Police discovered the prostitution ring after a woman was arrested in August in a neighborhood allegedly offering men sex with a 14-year-old girl for $50. Police have declined to reveal the relationship between Debra Flores Castillo, 33, who was charged with compelling prostitution, and the teen gang members.
She was released on a $20,000 bond. Her attorney, Mark Scott, declined to comment.
Jorge Martinez, accused of paying for sex with the teen in August, remained jailed on $10,000 bond Tuesday on a sexual assault of a child charge. His attorney did not immediately return a call.
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) -- Several teenage gang members have been arrested on suspicion of forcing girls as young as 12 into a prostitution ring, police said Tuesday.
After befriending the girls and getting them high, Varrio Central gang members took them to some regular customers and then sought other men by trolling apartment complexes, offering the girls' services for $50, Fort Worth police Lt. Ken Dean said.
The gang apparently targeted runaways and other girls with unstable homes, and if the girls refused to have sex for money the members beat and sexually assaulted them and threatened their families, Dean said.
"The age of the victims and suspects is the surprising part of it," Dean said. "To have such young individuals in a somewhat organized business, a forced prostitution ring, is somewhat alarming and such a horrendous crime against the 12- to 16-year-old girls."
Fort Worth detectives found five victims, ages 12 to 16, but believe there may be more. Those girls are back with relatives or in other safe places, he said, declining to elaborate.
A 15-year-old girl who may be a gang member helped the suspects by going to the victims' houses to pick them up under the pretense of going shopping or to a movie, which fooled the parents, said Lt. Dan Draper. Watch mom react to teen prostitution arrests »
Four alleged gang members were arrested January 3 after they took a 14-year-old to a convenience store to have sex with the owner, a regular customer of the prostitution ring, police said.
Diego Rodriguez, 19, and Martin Reyes, 17, were charged with counts including engaging in organized criminal activity, aggravated kidnapping and trafficking of a person. Rodriguez, held on $170,000 bond, did not have an attorney, and a lawyer for Reyes, held on $150,000 bond, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
The cases of two boys, ages 15 and 16, and the 15-year-old girl accused of helping the gang are being handled in the juvenile system. Police expect more arrests as the investigation continues, Dean said.
The convenience store owner, Chang Hyeong Lee, 56, was charged with aggravated kidnapping, engaging in organized criminal activity and prostitution. He remained jailed Tuesday with bail set at $300,000. His attorney could not immediately be reached.
Police discovered the prostitution ring after a woman was arrested in August in a neighborhood allegedly offering men sex with a 14-year-old girl for $50. Police have declined to reveal the relationship between Debra Flores Castillo, 33, who was charged with compelling prostitution, and the teen gang members.
She was released on a $20,000 bond. Her attorney, Mark Scott, declined to comment.
Jorge Martinez, accused of paying for sex with the teen in August, remained jailed on $10,000 bond Tuesday on a sexual assault of a child charge. His attorney did not immediately return a call.
Monday, January 14, 2008
7-Year-Old Says Mother Burned Him In Oven
AIRMONT, N.Y. -- A 26-year-old woman was arrested Friday and accused of burning her 7-year-old son in an oven, and a day-care worker was arrested for not reporting his burns, police said.
Authorities began investigating the family in November after the boy was spotted alone at a shopping center and told police he had run away because "his mother had put him in an oven and burned him as a punishment," the police account said.
The mother, Tiffany Fraser, of Tallman, was charged with assault and endangering a child. The day-care worker, Joelle Lherisson, 37, of Airmont, was charged with failure to report child abuse. They were arraigned in Airmont Village Court and released until their next court dates.
Fraser's lawyer, Edward Cigna, said he could not comment. There was no phone listing for either woman.
Lt. Brad Weidel of the Town of Ramapo police force, which covers Airmont, said the boy's burns - on his nose, arm, hand and left leg - were noticed at the daycare center in July, but the owner did not report them. In November, a customer at a shopping center in Tallman called police about the same boy because he was unaccompanied.
When the boy reported the oven incident, he and a sibling were removed from their home by the Rockland County children's agency and police began an investigation that led to both arrests, Weidel said.
AIRMONT, N.Y. -- A 26-year-old woman was arrested Friday and accused of burning her 7-year-old son in an oven, and a day-care worker was arrested for not reporting his burns, police said.
Authorities began investigating the family in November after the boy was spotted alone at a shopping center and told police he had run away because "his mother had put him in an oven and burned him as a punishment," the police account said.
The mother, Tiffany Fraser, of Tallman, was charged with assault and endangering a child. The day-care worker, Joelle Lherisson, 37, of Airmont, was charged with failure to report child abuse. They were arraigned in Airmont Village Court and released until their next court dates.
Fraser's lawyer, Edward Cigna, said he could not comment. There was no phone listing for either woman.
Lt. Brad Weidel of the Town of Ramapo police force, which covers Airmont, said the boy's burns - on his nose, arm, hand and left leg - were noticed at the daycare center in July, but the owner did not report them. In November, a customer at a shopping center in Tallman called police about the same boy because he was unaccompanied.
When the boy reported the oven incident, he and a sibling were removed from their home by the Rockland County children's agency and police began an investigation that led to both arrests, Weidel said.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Johnstown Man Accused Of Beating 3 Children He Was Trying To Adopt
A Johnstown man is accused of beating three young children he was trying to adopt.
Christopher Ellis, 31, of Sell Street, faces charges of assault and endangering children, a felony.
The three children, who were all younger than the age of 10, are back in foster care.
Investigators said the three children were beaten with a paddle with several air holes drilled in it. Police said Ellis' beatings caused bleeding and soreness so intense the children couldn't sit in their chairs at school.
After the school nurse examined the children, all three were taken to the hospital for treatment.
"How many people paddle their children to the extent where they have blood coming from their rear end, or they can't sit down for a long period of time afterward? We believe that to be excessive, as well as the DA's office did, and with them we filed the charges," said Johnstown police Capt. Andy Frear.
Ellis, who had not been arrested as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, is expected to make his first court appearance on Jan. 31. Stay with Channel 6 News and WJACTV.com for continuing coverage.
I hate these kind of people...
A Johnstown man is accused of beating three young children he was trying to adopt.
Christopher Ellis, 31, of Sell Street, faces charges of assault and endangering children, a felony.
The three children, who were all younger than the age of 10, are back in foster care.
Investigators said the three children were beaten with a paddle with several air holes drilled in it. Police said Ellis' beatings caused bleeding and soreness so intense the children couldn't sit in their chairs at school.
After the school nurse examined the children, all three were taken to the hospital for treatment.
"How many people paddle their children to the extent where they have blood coming from their rear end, or they can't sit down for a long period of time afterward? We believe that to be excessive, as well as the DA's office did, and with them we filed the charges," said Johnstown police Capt. Andy Frear.
Ellis, who had not been arrested as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, is expected to make his first court appearance on Jan. 31. Stay with Channel 6 News and WJACTV.com for continuing coverage.
I hate these kind of people...
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
'Most Wanted' Fugitive Nabbed in Brevard'
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Florida authorities said a Michigan fugitive featured on a crime television show was arrested at a bar in Cape Canaveral.
Brevard County sheriff's officials said David Allen Andrews was arrested Monday after deputies received an anonymous tip.
The 40-year-old Flint man was featured on the television show "America's Most Wanted" in March.
Andrews has been on the run since 2004 on criminal sexual conduct charges. Authorities said he molested a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.
Andrews is being held without bond while he awaits extradition to Michigan.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Florida authorities said a Michigan fugitive featured on a crime television show was arrested at a bar in Cape Canaveral.
Brevard County sheriff's officials said David Allen Andrews was arrested Monday after deputies received an anonymous tip.
The 40-year-old Flint man was featured on the television show "America's Most Wanted" in March.
Andrews has been on the run since 2004 on criminal sexual conduct charges. Authorities said he molested a 7-year-old boy and a 10-year-old girl.
Andrews is being held without bond while he awaits extradition to Michigan.
Friday, January 04, 2008
Police: Toddler's Skin Burned Off During Hot Oil-Hair Dryer Torture
APOPKA, Fla. -- A Central Florida man is accused of pouring hot cooking oil on a 17-month-old and using a hair dryer to burn his skin off because the toddler apparently would not stop crying and whining.
Police said Darlanne Toussaint was charged with felony attempted murder on suspicion he abused his girlfriend's son in an Apopka apartment building Thursday.
The mother of the child, Marlita S. Stokes, 23, was arrested on Friday and faces charges of child neglect and providing false information to police.
According to a charging affidavit, Toussaint poured the hot cooking oil on the boy, shook him hard for 10 minutes and then burned him with a blow dryer to the point that his skin fell off, Local 6 reported.
"It is alarming to think that an individual can cause this type of harm to a human being, let along an infant of 17 months old," Apopka police Officer Steven Popp said.
Investigators said Toussaint abused the infant "because he was tired of his crying and whining."
"The majority of us officers have children, and it is hard for a case like this not to affect you emotionally," Popp said.
The child is in stable condition at Florida Hospital.
Toussaint is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail, Local 6 reported.
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Oh my god. All I can say is wow. This hurts me to see someone do this kind of thing to a little child. Children are supposed to be a parents blessing. Not something that you can harm....I can't stand people like this. I almost cried when I saw this, it's very terrifing if you ask me. This guy should get up to at least 40 years in prison. He deserves it... what do you think???
~*~Please comment~*~
APOPKA, Fla. -- A Central Florida man is accused of pouring hot cooking oil on a 17-month-old and using a hair dryer to burn his skin off because the toddler apparently would not stop crying and whining.
Police said Darlanne Toussaint was charged with felony attempted murder on suspicion he abused his girlfriend's son in an Apopka apartment building Thursday.
The mother of the child, Marlita S. Stokes, 23, was arrested on Friday and faces charges of child neglect and providing false information to police.
According to a charging affidavit, Toussaint poured the hot cooking oil on the boy, shook him hard for 10 minutes and then burned him with a blow dryer to the point that his skin fell off, Local 6 reported.
"It is alarming to think that an individual can cause this type of harm to a human being, let along an infant of 17 months old," Apopka police Officer Steven Popp said.
Investigators said Toussaint abused the infant "because he was tired of his crying and whining."
"The majority of us officers have children, and it is hard for a case like this not to affect you emotionally," Popp said.
The child is in stable condition at Florida Hospital.
Toussaint is being held without bond at the Orange County Jail, Local 6 reported.
-----------------------------------
Oh my god. All I can say is wow. This hurts me to see someone do this kind of thing to a little child. Children are supposed to be a parents blessing. Not something that you can harm....I can't stand people like this. I almost cried when I saw this, it's very terrifing if you ask me. This guy should get up to at least 40 years in prison. He deserves it... what do you think???
~*~Please comment~*~
Thursday, January 03, 2008
A guard who was named in a cheeky thank-you note left by two jail inmates when they chiseled their way out of their cells has committed suicide, his lawyer said Wednesday.
Rudolph Zurick, 40, was found dead at his home in Middlesex County, said attorney Michael J. Mitzner.
Zurick had not been charged in the December 15 break from the Union County Jail and had been cooperating with the investigation, Mitzner said.
"Everything I understand, he did nothing wrong," said Mitzner, who spoke to Zurick on Monday. "It's hard to know what goes through someone's head."
Mitzner did not have Zurick's cause of death.
In a statement, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said the death is being investigated by Middlesex County authorities.
"This is not a time for speculation, but a time for mourning," Romankow said. He declined further comment.
Officials in Middlesex County did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Zurick had been scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday about the daring break by inmates Otis Blunt, 32, and Jose Espinosa, 20. Both remained at large Wednesday.
The two used photos of bikini-clad women to hide holes they dug through the cinderblock walls of their adjoining cells in a high-security unit, authorities said. They jumped onto a lower roof, then made it over a 25-foot-high fence topped with razor wire.
The inmates left behind a thank-you note, signed with a smiley face, that named Zurick, thanking him for the tools they used -- a thick piece of wire and a 10-pound steel water shut-off wheel.
"You're a real pal! Happy Holidays," said the note, which also included a drawing of a hand with an upraised middle finger.
The note, Mitzner said, was "definitely sarcastic."
"There was no way he gave them any help. He was the one who had noticed they were missing."
Blunt was awaiting trial for robbery and weapons offenses. Espinosa was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter in a 2005 drive-by shooting.
Authorities are reviewing security measures and have barred inmates from putting pictures cut from magazines on their cell walls.
Rudolph Zurick, 40, was found dead at his home in Middlesex County, said attorney Michael J. Mitzner.
Zurick had not been charged in the December 15 break from the Union County Jail and had been cooperating with the investigation, Mitzner said.
"Everything I understand, he did nothing wrong," said Mitzner, who spoke to Zurick on Monday. "It's hard to know what goes through someone's head."
Mitzner did not have Zurick's cause of death.
In a statement, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow said the death is being investigated by Middlesex County authorities.
"This is not a time for speculation, but a time for mourning," Romankow said. He declined further comment.
Officials in Middlesex County did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Zurick had been scheduled to be interviewed Wednesday about the daring break by inmates Otis Blunt, 32, and Jose Espinosa, 20. Both remained at large Wednesday.
The two used photos of bikini-clad women to hide holes they dug through the cinderblock walls of their adjoining cells in a high-security unit, authorities said. They jumped onto a lower roof, then made it over a 25-foot-high fence topped with razor wire.
The inmates left behind a thank-you note, signed with a smiley face, that named Zurick, thanking him for the tools they used -- a thick piece of wire and a 10-pound steel water shut-off wheel.
"You're a real pal! Happy Holidays," said the note, which also included a drawing of a hand with an upraised middle finger.
The note, Mitzner said, was "definitely sarcastic."
"There was no way he gave them any help. He was the one who had noticed they were missing."
Blunt was awaiting trial for robbery and weapons offenses. Espinosa was awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to manslaughter in a 2005 drive-by shooting.
Authorities are reviewing security measures and have barred inmates from putting pictures cut from magazines on their cell walls.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Baby Left With Stranger At Lodi Gas Station:
A woman left her newborn baby with a stranger at a gas station and then left, police said Monday.
Police said around 12:15 p.m., a woman at the Arco gas station at 800 E. Kettleman Lane handed a Chico State student a bundle in a green towel and then went away.
Police said a six-pound baby boy was wrapped in the towel.
The student took the baby to Lodi Memorial Hospital, police said.
The baby appears to be fine, police said, and has been named "Mercury."
Hospital officials said the baby was six or seven hours old.
Before walking away, the woman said, "I can't deal with this," the student said.
The baby's mother is described as a Hispanic female, about 23 to 28 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 135 pounds. She had brown hair in a ponytail, and had a pierced lower lip and was wearing black clothing, police said.
The student said she was driving a gold car, possibly a Hyundai, police said.
The mother could face felony abandonment charges, police said, because the baby was not taken to a safe center.
A woman left her newborn baby with a stranger at a gas station and then left, police said Monday.
Police said around 12:15 p.m., a woman at the Arco gas station at 800 E. Kettleman Lane handed a Chico State student a bundle in a green towel and then went away.
Police said a six-pound baby boy was wrapped in the towel.
The student took the baby to Lodi Memorial Hospital, police said.
The baby appears to be fine, police said, and has been named "Mercury."
Hospital officials said the baby was six or seven hours old.
Before walking away, the woman said, "I can't deal with this," the student said.
The baby's mother is described as a Hispanic female, about 23 to 28 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall, about 135 pounds. She had brown hair in a ponytail, and had a pierced lower lip and was wearing black clothing, police said.
The student said she was driving a gold car, possibly a Hyundai, police said.
The mother could face felony abandonment charges, police said, because the baby was not taken to a safe center.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Police: Mother Says She Killed Daughter Over Crying
A mother charged with killing her 4-year-old daughter told police she did it because the child wouldn't stop crying, police said Tuesday.
The mother was arrested and taken to police headquarters for questioning after police said they found her daughter dead on the couch in an apartment on the 4600 block of East Houston Street.
The 22-year-old mother called emergency crews Tuesday afternoon to report she had suffocated her girl.
Nobody else was at home when the child died, the woman said.
Investigators were searching the apartment and said they were questioning family to determine if anything else drove the mother to kill her child.
The mother will be charged with capital murder.
A mother charged with killing her 4-year-old daughter told police she did it because the child wouldn't stop crying, police said Tuesday.
The mother was arrested and taken to police headquarters for questioning after police said they found her daughter dead on the couch in an apartment on the 4600 block of East Houston Street.
The 22-year-old mother called emergency crews Tuesday afternoon to report she had suffocated her girl.
Nobody else was at home when the child died, the woman said.
Investigators were searching the apartment and said they were questioning family to determine if anything else drove the mother to kill her child.
The mother will be charged with capital murder.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Police: Fake Cab Driver Raped Girl
A registered sex offender is facing charges in connection with the sexual assault of a mentally disabled teen.
Police said 25-year-old Gerald Terry pretended to be a taxicab driver and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in the cab in October.
Police said the teen took the cab to travel from a North Haven school to her Naugatuck home.
A police investigation determined that Terry subleased the cab without the knowledge of the managers of the cab company.
Terry, at the time of the alleged assault, was a registered sex offender and was wanted on charged of violation of probation, according to police.
He is facing charges of sexual assault, kidnapping and interfering with a police officer. He was formally charged on Dec. 7 and was given an additional bond of $300,000.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Brunswick Man Dies After Toddler Grabs Gun
A 22-year-old man died after he was shot in the head in a Brunswick recording studio Tuesday night, and police said the shot was fired when a 35-month-old picked up a gun.
According to the Brunswick Police Department, Curtis Gabriel Collins was shot about 8:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of Stonewall Street. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors said he could not be revived.
Investigators said Collins was shot when a child grabbed a loaded gun on a table. The gun went off, hitting Collins as he sat on a nearby sofa.Although authorities have called the shooting accidental, Collins' family said something about their loved one's death doesn't seem right.
Collins' family said the 22-year-old was doing what he loved when he died. They said he was working on a CD at a recording studio, trying to make it in the music industry.
"He was good-hearted person. He liked to make people laugh. He loved to sing and dance," said Valas Thorpe, Collins' fiancé, who is due to give birth to their child in February.
Brunswick Police Chief Edna Johnson said the gun found by the hands of a curious toddler did not belong to Collins.
"Obviously, someone wasn’t watching and the child was able to play with the gun and the gun discharged," Johnson said.
She had a strong message for people in her city who have guns and children.
"We recommend to every resident, make sure that you have your guns and loaded weapons in a locked, secure place that's away from any child. When we do that, we have a more secure home and secure environment," said Johnson.
"I can't see how a 2-year-old could pull the trigger," Thorpe said.
She said her fiancé's shooting death makes no sense and that she has a lot of unanswered questions.
Collins' family members said they do not know the toddler involved, but said they believe the child was the son of a friend.
The case -- the 16th homicide of 2007 in Brunswick -- remains under investigation by police.
A 22-year-old man died after he was shot in the head in a Brunswick recording studio Tuesday night, and police said the shot was fired when a 35-month-old picked up a gun.
According to the Brunswick Police Department, Curtis Gabriel Collins was shot about 8:30 p.m. in the 2400 block of Stonewall Street. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors said he could not be revived.
Investigators said Collins was shot when a child grabbed a loaded gun on a table. The gun went off, hitting Collins as he sat on a nearby sofa.Although authorities have called the shooting accidental, Collins' family said something about their loved one's death doesn't seem right.
Collins' family said the 22-year-old was doing what he loved when he died. They said he was working on a CD at a recording studio, trying to make it in the music industry.
"He was good-hearted person. He liked to make people laugh. He loved to sing and dance," said Valas Thorpe, Collins' fiancé, who is due to give birth to their child in February.
Brunswick Police Chief Edna Johnson said the gun found by the hands of a curious toddler did not belong to Collins.
"Obviously, someone wasn’t watching and the child was able to play with the gun and the gun discharged," Johnson said.
She had a strong message for people in her city who have guns and children.
"We recommend to every resident, make sure that you have your guns and loaded weapons in a locked, secure place that's away from any child. When we do that, we have a more secure home and secure environment," said Johnson.
"I can't see how a 2-year-old could pull the trigger," Thorpe said.
She said her fiancé's shooting death makes no sense and that she has a lot of unanswered questions.
Collins' family members said they do not know the toddler involved, but said they believe the child was the son of a friend.
The case -- the 16th homicide of 2007 in Brunswick -- remains under investigation by police.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Irvin Ramirez Guilty of Murder
A jury has found 25-year-old Irvin Ramirez guilty of the murder of Danielle Gorectke.
It took the jury of six women and six men about two and a half hours to reach a verdict. They found Ramirez guilty of first-degree murder, guilty of attempted second-degree sexual assault, and not guilty of robbery.
Ramirez stood trial for the murder of the 23-year-old UW-Stevens Point student in La Crosse January 21. Gorectke was in La Crosse celebrating her sister's birthday. She was found dead at Christ Covenant Church in La Crosse.
During the prosecution's closing arguments Friday morning, La Crosse County District Attorney Tim Gruenke said the story Ramirez told about the night Gorectke died is "ridiculous." Gruenke says Ramirez took Gorectke to Christ Covenant Church on County Road B because it is isolated, and then attacked her after she ran to the steps of the church.
Ramirez testified Thursday he found Gorectke near downtown La Crosse already assaulted. He tried to help her, but eventually left her after he panicked. Gruenke says his story doesn't match the evidence. "His story didn't explain her fingerprints in his car, on the inside of the window," Gruenke said. "It didn't explain the blood on the blue jeans. It didn't explain his DNA on her upper lip."
Defense attorney Ronald Benavides spoke for about 50 minutes during his closing arguments. Benavides said Gorectke died brutally, but that doesn't mean Ramirez is to blame. He says there were no witnesses to the beating, and no evidence of sexual assault, like semen. Benavides says if Ramirez beat Gorectke, his hands should have been more badly injured, and no blunt objects that could have been used for beating her have not been found. Benavides says if Gorectke was beaten so severely that she was paralyzed, why wouldn't have Ramirez sexually assaulted her. Benavides also says there simply was not enough time for Ramirez to inflict 25 serious injuries on Gorectke.
Benavides says Ramirez's decision to leave and injured Gorectke in downtown La Crosse, where he says he found her, was stupid, but Benavides says Ramirez was drunk at the time, and was worried about his status as an illegal immigrant. Benavides says Ramirez admits to lying to police initially about meeting Gorectke, but he has sincerely apologized and told the truth.
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Guilty of murder, and also an illegal immigrant. This man is full of lies, like where he said that he was drinking, and he didn't want to take her to the hospital because he was worried about his status as an illegal immigrant. This guy's pathedic. At least they got another person guilty of murder, that is one less person off the sidewalks, the streets, the alleys, wherever that are hurting, and killing people. Tell me what you think!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Police have tentative ID on girl found dead in box
The toddler whose body washed ashore in Texas last month has been tentatively identified as a 2-year-old girl, and her mother and a man identified as her boyfriend were arrested Saturday, the Galveston County Sheriff's office said Sunday.
Investigators believe the child they dubbed "Baby Grace" is actually 2-year-old Riley Ann Sawyers, the Galveston County Sheriff's office said Sunday.
DNA analysis is still in progress to confirm that identification.
The child's mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 19, and a man identified as Royce Clyde Zeigler II, 24, were arrested Saturday on charges of injuring a child and tampering with physical evidence, the sheriff's department said.
The couple lives in Spring, Texas, a Houston suburb about 75 miles north of Galveston.
Their bonds were set at $350,000 each.
The arrests followed searches conducted Saturday after a November 7 tip, the sheriff's department said.
Deputies and FBI agents plan to release more information at a news conference Monday, Galveston County Sheriff's Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo said.
The girl's grandmother, Sheryl Sawyers, of Cleveland, Ohio, told CNN affiliate WKYC that Riley Ann has been missing since June.
On October 29, a fisherman discovered the body in a blue Sterilite plastic container on an uninhabited island in Galveston's West Bay.
Police dubbed the dead girl "Baby Grace," and asked the public for help in identifying her.
A medical examiner said the child's skull was fractured, and a forensic dentist estimated her age at 2 to 3 years.
In composite sketches, the girl is wearing a pink skirt and matching top -- clothing authorities said she was wearing when she was found. The other sketch, a close-up rendering of the child's face, shows a fair-skinned toddler with long blond hair.
"She is more to us than just a case number, more to us than just an unidentified body. She is very much a human being," Tutoilmondo said last month. "She is someone's child, someone's grandchild, someone's cousin, someone's best friend, and to us, that is the most important part about this case."
"We have adopted the name of Baby Grace because, there again, that is part of the emotional part of this case for us," he said, holding a tiny sneaker identical to one of those the child was wearing when she was found.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Man Gets Death In Child's Drowning
Boy. 2, Held Underwater Until He Died
PHOENIX -- A Mesa man convicted in the drowning death of a two-year-old boy faces the death penalty.
A jury has sentenced Derek Chappell, 25, to death for the 2004 murder of Devon Shackleford.
Chappell was convicted in August of first-degree murder.
Investigators said Chappell took the child from his ex-girlfriend's apartment to an apartment complex swimming pool.
He then held the child under the water while the boy struggled for his life.
Chappell left the boy face down in the pool and walked away.
Investigators said Chappell killed Devon because Chappell felt the child was responsible for the breakup of his relationship with Devon's mother.
Chappell was also convicted of child abuse for choking Devon in 2003.
Shortly after the second conviction on the murder charge, a jury began hearing evidence in the death penalty phase of the trial.
On Wednesday, the panel decided that Chappell should be executed.
"I believe the jury made the right decision in response to this gruesome murder of a defenseless child," Thomas said.
"Today's verdict will not bring Devon back. But it will send a message that our society is prepared to seek the ultimate penalty in order to protect innocent life," Thomas said.
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This is terrible. He thought that the boy was the reason for the breakup? That's pathedic. A child is supposed to be a parents' favorite posession. I'm glad that guy got to get the death penaltly. I really despise people like that. They don't need to be in this world. It's really dumb that some people are like that. What do you think about this??
Please comment
Boy. 2, Held Underwater Until He Died
PHOENIX -- A Mesa man convicted in the drowning death of a two-year-old boy faces the death penalty.
A jury has sentenced Derek Chappell, 25, to death for the 2004 murder of Devon Shackleford.
Chappell was convicted in August of first-degree murder.
Investigators said Chappell took the child from his ex-girlfriend's apartment to an apartment complex swimming pool.
He then held the child under the water while the boy struggled for his life.
Chappell left the boy face down in the pool and walked away.
Investigators said Chappell killed Devon because Chappell felt the child was responsible for the breakup of his relationship with Devon's mother.
Chappell was also convicted of child abuse for choking Devon in 2003.
Shortly after the second conviction on the murder charge, a jury began hearing evidence in the death penalty phase of the trial.
On Wednesday, the panel decided that Chappell should be executed.
"I believe the jury made the right decision in response to this gruesome murder of a defenseless child," Thomas said.
"Today's verdict will not bring Devon back. But it will send a message that our society is prepared to seek the ultimate penalty in order to protect innocent life," Thomas said.
------------------------
This is terrible. He thought that the boy was the reason for the breakup? That's pathedic. A child is supposed to be a parents' favorite posession. I'm glad that guy got to get the death penaltly. I really despise people like that. They don't need to be in this world. It's really dumb that some people are like that. What do you think about this??
Please comment
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