Trials & Sentencing set to begin In February, 2021

[Niner]

Oops - got caught up with all my cases since I missed 4 days from here last week - and totally forgot to post the next week's sentencings & trials ongoing...

For the week of Monday, Feb. 1st thru Friday, Feb. 5th:

Monday, Feb. 1st:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am CT) - TX – Cedric “CJ” Jackson, Jr. (18 mos.) (missing July 9, 2019 last seen 11pm, reported missing at 6am July 10, 2019, found July 11,2019 at C.M. Hinton, Jr. Reg. Landfill & Wood Recycling Fac. in Rowlett) – *Sedrick Deshun Johnson (27/now 29) (BF of Aunt) arrested & charged (7/11/19) with 1st degree felony injury to a child causing serious bodily injury. $500K bond. Bonded out on 7/11/19. This case was dismissed on 11/5/19.
*Grand jury indicted & charged (9/29/19) with capital murder. $500K bond. Bond reduced to $250K (11/4/19).
Trial set to begin on 2/1/21.
Information on custody & confession reference plus court hearings from 7/23/19 thru 5/28/20 post #481 here:
Found Deceased - TX - Cedric Jackson, 18 months, Dallas, 9 July 2019 *Arrests*
6/18/20 Update: Next hearing on 7/9/20. 7/9/20 Update: Not sure if hearing happened. Next pretrial hearing on 7/30/20. 7/30/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 8/13/20. 8/13/20 Update: Next pretrial hearing on 9/3/20.
9/3/20 Update: Trial date set for 2/1/21 @ 9am. No further hearing dates as of 2/1/21.
*Chrystal Nicole Jackson (27) “Aunt” arrested (7/18/19) & charged (7/22/19) with child abandonment & endangerment. Held on $35K bond.
7/18/19: Bound over for trial. 11/7/19: felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor and sentence is probation.

*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Jayden Alexander Lopez aka “Little Jacob” (4 yrs) (died Oct. 17-18, 2017, found Oct. 20, 2017, ID’d April 5, 2018, Galveston) – for *Rebecca Suzanne Rivera (34/now 37) “mom” arrested (6/19/18) & charged (6/20/18) & indicted (8/7/18) with 1st degree felony offense of “injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily harm”, 2nd degree felony tampering with evidence & fabricating evidence. $500K Cash or Surety Bond.
If convicted, Rivera faces a range of punishment on the child injury charge of five to 99 years or life in prison, and a range of punishment of two to 20 years in prison for the charge of tampering with physical evidence.
Trial began on 1/27/21 with jury selection & trial started 1/27/21. 12 jurors with 2 alternates.
Court info from 6/22/18 thru 1/15/20 reference post #97 here:
TX - Galveston, Hispmale 'Little Jacob' UP17178, 3-5, Oct 2017 *arrest* #2 - Jayden Alexander Lopez
1/27/21 Wednesday, Day 1: Jury selection begins. Jury has been chosen – 12 jurors & 2 alternates. Trial began with opening statements.
1/28/21 Thursday Day 2: Trial continues - No other info available. Trial continues to Friday, 1/29/21.
1/29/21 Friday Day 3: No info available yet. Trial continues on Monday, 2/1/21.
1/27/21 Update: Application for probation filed. Quote for application: “Now comes, Rebecca Rivera, defendant, and represents to the Court that she is the defendant in said cause & she has never before been convicted of a felony in this State or any other State, & she prays that in the event of her conviction in this case, the imposition of a sentence be suspended & that she be placed on probation as provided by law.”
*Dania Sarai Amezquita Gomez (31/now 33) “mom’s GF” – Pretrial conference hearing on 2/5/21. Trial set to begin on 2/17/21.


Tuesday, Feb. 2nd:
*Trial was set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ am ET) - WV – Riley Grace Crossman (15) (reported missing May 8, 2019, Berkeley Springs; found May 16, 2019, near Tuscarora Pike in Berkeley County) - *Andrew (“Andy”) Jackson McCauley, Jr. (41/now 42) (mom’s BF) arrested & charged (5/16/19) & indicted (1/7/20) with 1st degree murder & concealment of a deceased human body. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 2/2/21 has been continued to April (no date yet).
Court info from 5/16/19 thru 5/24/20 reference post #570 here:
Found Deceased - WV - Riley Crossman, 15, Martinsburg, Morgan County, 7 May 2019 *arrest*
9/3/20 Update: A February trial date was scheduled Thursday afternoon in a case alleging a Berkeley Springs man murdered a local teen last May. Twenty-third Judicial Circuit Court Judge Debra McLaughlin, in May, granted the defense’s request for a media study to research whether to request a change of venue. The defense’s request for the study is due to their assertion that the “widespread media attention” of the case will keep their client from being able to impanel an impartial jury & from receiving a fair trial. With the survey not yet finalized, the Oct. 6 trial date has been moved to begin on Feb. 2, 2021, and at this point, it is scheduled to occur in Morgan County. Judge McLaughlin is expected to rule on the questions being considered for the survey in the next 10 days. If denied, parties will proceed to the Jan. 21 pretrial & the Feb. 2 trial. If granted, a “Plan B” will be decided.
1/21/21 Update: Trial has been continued to April (no date yet).

*Trial continues (Day 13) (@ 10:30am UK) – UK – Liberty “Libby” Anna Squire (21) (last seen Jan. 31, 2019 outside Welly Club in Hull; found Mar. 20, 2019 from Grimsby Docks in the Humber Estuary) - *Pawel P. Relowicz (24/now 25) arrested (Feb. 6, 2019 on suspicion of abduction) officially charged (Oct. 30, 2019) with murder & rape. No plea entered yet. Not guilty plea entered on Jan. 12, 2021.
Trial began on Jan. 12, 2021. Trial will be in Sheffield. Richard Wright QC will lead, Mr. Woolfall prosecutor. Oliver Saxby QC for defense. Trial expected to last 6 weeks. Jury: 5 men & 7 women.
Was originally charged (18/3/19 & 10/5/19) with 5 counts of burglary, 4 counts of voyeurism, 3 counts of outraging public decency & 1 count of receiving stolen goods. On Aug. 12, 2019 plead guilty to 9 charges including voyeurism (4 counts), outraging public decency (2 counts) & burglary (3 counts). Relowicz jailed for eight & a half years.
Trial Day 1-11 (12/1 - 29/1/21) reference post #831 here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
Feb. 1st Monday, Day 12: Today's schedule: The defence is expected to call its last witness today, which will be the end of the evidence in the trial. After that, the prosecution & defence will both give closing speeches * the judge will sum up the evidence in the case to the jury. Justice Lambert is now sitting. Relowicz has been brought into the dock. He is accompanied by three male dock officers & is wearing the same blue suit & blue mask he has worn since the start of the trial.
Witness saw Libby 'sat on the floor crying'-The two statements are being read out by Dale Brook. It is the evidence of Ryan Thom. (#883); All the witness evidence has now finished & the agreed facts are now being read out to the court by defence team. They are: No member of the public made a report to the police about Libby at the time they saw her on Beverley Road & Haworth Street on January 31 & February 1, 2019. There are no lights beyond the play area off Oak Road & in the area of the River Hull, the pond & pavilion. The same Polish words can be used to describe screaming & shouting (#884). Justice Lambert says the jury will take into account the whole of the evidence including agreed facts, CCTV, witness statements & material in the jury bundle. There is to be no more evidence. She said: “You must not speculate about evidence there might have been or allow yourselves to be drawn into speculation.” The judge says the prosecution must prove Relowicz is guilty. She said: “The prosecution must satisfy you of the defendant’s guilt.” (#886); Rape is the first count. Justice Lambert said: “The prosecution’s case is that Pawel Relowicz took Libby Squire to Oak Road playing fields from Haworth Street to rape her. The defense’s case is he did not take her there to rape her but they had consensual sex. “He admits his semen was found in her vagina. The issue for you is whether she consented to intercourse. Before convicting, you must be sure that she did not consent & secondly, be sure that Pawel Relowicz did not believe that she consented.” (#894); the judge says consent is that a person agrees to it & is capable of making that choice. She said: “The prosecution said Libby Squire was not capable of giving consent because of the effects of alcohol & the cold. The defence case is she was capable of giving consent & she did so. “You will have to decide whether she was able to give a choice about having sexual intercourse.” (#896) here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
Justice Lambert tells the jury murder is when someone kills another person with the intention to kill or seriously harm that person. She tells them Relowicz is guilty if he subjected Libby to an unlawful act, like an attack, that caused her death & that he intended to kill her or cause her serious harm. Justice Lambert says the prosecution allege that during the course of raping her, or after, that he assaulted her which caused her death or that he put her into the river while she was dying or still alive which caused her death. (#903); what constitutes murder-Justice Lambert tells the jury they must decide whether Relowicz firstly assaulted Libby which caused her death & secondly where there was intent. The judge says if the assault contributed to Libby’s death then he would have caused her death & the verdict will be guilty. She said if the jury find that Libby was assaulted by someone else or fell into the river or put herself into the river in an act of self-harm, then Relowicz would not be guilty of murder (#909); Prosecution barrister Richard Wright is now delivering his closing speech ^ reminding the jury it is now exactly two years since Libby disappeared (#910 & #912); Libby was not suicidal that night-Mr Wright insists there is nothing to suggest Libby wanted to harm herself that night. (#914 & #915); Relowicz looking for 'easy sex'-Mr Wright outlines how he believes Relowicz came in contact with Libby. (#918) here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
Relowicz 'did not pick up Libby to help her'-Mr Wright argued Relowicz was not a good Samaritan & his intentions were for from honorable. (#923); Relowicz went back out to 'leave no trace' of the crimes he committed (#925); Relowicz continued to lie, prosecution claims-The jury is being told by Mr. Wright that Relowicz continued to lie after his arrest. (#928 & #929); Prosecution says jury can be sure Libby was raped (#931 & #936) here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
Mr Wright has referenced Relowicz's previous convictions for voyeurism & outraging public decency.(#942); Relowicz 'no knight in shining armour'-Mr. Wright tells the Jury he believes Relowicz drove around looking for a victim. (#944); The jury is being shown again CCTV footage of Relowicz & Libby coming into contact with each other on Beverley Road. (#946); Far too many coincidences, prosecution claims-Mr. Wright outlines all the strange coincidences which led to Relowicz having sex with Libby. (#951); Mr Wright pointed out the lies Relowicz told during his first police interviews. (#953); Mr. Wright says Relowicz was “setting up his story” when he gave accounts to his friends. (#954) here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
'Rape led to murder', prosecution claim-The trial has resumed (after lunch) & prosecutor Richard Wright QC claims Relowicz murdered Libby to cover up the rape. He said: “It’s convenient to him that she ends up dead in the River Hull. We submit rape led to murder. You know she screamed & fought & she had to be silenced." (#979) here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
Mr Wright says the cause of death does not have to be known for the jury to find it was murder. (#981); Prosecution looks at possible scenarios-Mr. Wright has explored the different scenarios as to how Libby may have died.(#983); The idea Libby fell in the river accidentally dismissed-Mr. Wright now looks at the possibility Libby wandered into the river on her way home. (#984); Libby was not killed by someone else, prosecution claim-Another explanation is that Libby was killed by someone else but Mr. Wright dismisses this explanation. (#987); There was enough time for Relowicz to rape and murder Libby, prosecution claims-Mr. Wright says seven & a half minutes was enough time for Relowicz to rape ^ murder Libby. (#988); 'Incredible coincidence'-Mr. Wright has flagged up the evidence of Sam Alford who lived next to Oak Road playing fields. The prosecutor said: “We accepted the timing isn’t a problem for the prosecution - it’s for Mr. Relowicz. (#989); Relowicz driven by the 'fear, control & the thrill of it'-Mr. Wright is now addressing the jury on what motive Relowicz might have had for raping ^ killing Libby. (#990 #991); Final visit to Oak Road was to 'clean up'-Mr. Wright explains to the jury why he feels Relowicz returned for the final time to Oak Road. (#992); Lies kept coming-Mr. Wright says the web of lies Reloiwicz committed is evidence of his guilt. (#993) here:
UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #22
Trial ends for the day. That is the prosecution closing speech completed. Tomorrow, 2/2/21 it will be the turn of the defence team to deliver its closing speech before the judge sums up the case to the jury.


Wednesday, Feb. 3rd:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am CT) – OH – DelVante Johnson (19), Toshaun Banks (21) & DeVaughn Gibson (23) (Dec. 31, 2018, Cleveland) - *Tevin Biles-Thomas (24/now 26) arrested (9/11/19), indicted (8/29/19), charged (8/29/19) & arraigned (9/13/19) with 6 counts of murder, 3 counts of voluntary manslaughter, 5 counts of felonious assault & 1 count of perjury. Plead not guilty. $1M Cash/Surety bond. Bond modified (12/18/19) to $100K. Posted bond (12/19/19).
Trial set to begin on 2/3/21.
Court info from 8/30/19 thru 12/7/20 reference post #94 here:
OH - Delvante Johnson, Toshaun Banks, Devaughn Gibson dead, Tevin Biles-Thomas *charged, 30 Aug 2019
12/15/20 Update: In an effort to reduce community spread of COVID, pretrial held by phone. Pretrial hearing on 12/7/20 was held & continued to 1/21/21 @ 10am at the request of defendant. Reason for continuance: ongoing discussions between defense counsel & the State. Next date to be a counsel-only status conference, held by Zoom on 12/15/20. Trial remains set for 2/3/21 per request of defendant.
1/21/21 Update: Trial is set to begin on 2/3/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Jayden Alexander Lopez aka “Little Jacob” (4 yrs) (died Oct. 17-18, 2017, found Oct. 20, 2017, ID’d April 5, 2018, Galveston) – for *Rebecca Suzanne Rivera (34/now 37) “mom” arrested (6/19/18) & charged (6/20/18) & indicted (8/7/18) with 1st degree felony offense of “injury to a child by omission causing serious bodily harm”, 2nd degree felony tampering with evidence & fabricating evidence. $500K Cash or Surety Bond.
If convicted, Rivera faces a range of punishment on the child injury charge of five to 99 years or life in prison, and a range of punishment of two to 20 years in prison for the charge of tampering with physical evidence.
Trial began on 1/27/21 with jury selection & trial started 1/27/21. 12 jurors with 2 alternates.
Court info from 6/22/18 thru 1/15/20 reference post #97 here:
TX - Galveston, Hispmale 'Little Jacob' UP17178, 3-5, Oct 2017 *arrest* #2 - Jayden Alexander Lopez
1/27/21 Wednesday, Day 1: Jury selection begins. Jury has been chosen – 12 jurors & 2 alternates. Trial began with opening statements.
1/28/21 Thursday Day 2: Trial continues - No other info available. Trial continues to Friday, 1/29/21.
1/29/21 Friday Day 3: No info available yet. Trial continues on Monday, 2/1/21.
1/27/21 Update: Application for probation filed. Quote for application: “Now comes, Rebecca Rivera, defendant, and represents to the Court that she is the defendant in said cause & she has never before been convicted of a felony in this State or any other State, & she prays that in the event of her conviction in this case, the imposition of a sentence be suspended & that she be placed on probation as provided by law.”
2/1/21 Monday Day 4: No info available yet. Trial continues on Tuesday, 2/2/21.
2/2/21 Tuesday Day 5: Found guilty. Sentenced to life in prison. Will be eligible for parole after 30 years. Next status check (tampering) hearing on 2/12/21 & status check (injury to child) on 3/5/21.
*Dania Sarai Amezquita Gomez (31/now 33) “mom’s GF” – Took a plea deal & testified against Rivera. Next plea hearing on 2/11/21.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, Feb. 8th thru Friday, Feb. 12th:

Monday, Feb. 8th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) – AL – Kathleen Dawn “Kat” West (42) (Jan. 12, 2018, Calera) – *William Jeffrey West (44/now 46) (husband) arrested (2/22/18), indicted (3/7/18) & arraigned (4/9/18) with murder. Held on $500K bond. Plead not guilty. Bond reduction denied.
Trial began with jury selection on 11/16/20 & trial began on 11/17/20 & ended on 11/20/20. After nearly 5 hours of deliberations, a Shelby County jury found West guilty of reckless manslaughter.
Court info from 8/23/18 thru 11/16/20 re jury selection & Trial 11/17-11/20/20 (Day 1-4) reference post #878 here:
GUILTY - AL - Kathleen "Kat" West, 42, murdered, Calera, 13 Jan 2018 *husband arrested*
11/20/20 Friday Day 4 of Trial: Verdict: West is found guilty of reckless manslaughter in the murder of Kat. West will be held in jail for 60 days, until the sentencing hearing. Reckless manslaughter is the lesser charge. It is a Class B felony punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison. The judge accepted the verdict & the jurors are released. Sentencing hearing is scheduled for 1/11/21 at 1:30pm, the earliest available date. West’s bond was revoked. He will stay in jail until sentencing.
1/5/21 Update: The sentencing hearing for West will be held Feb. 8 instead of in January 11 which was the initial date. No reason was stated in court records, however most in-person hearings in Shelby County have been postponed until after Jan. 18 because of the upswing in COVID-19 cases.

*Trial set to begin (Sanders case) (@ 1pm CT) - IN (under Javon Blackwell) – *Maurtreyviaum “Troy” Sanders (19) (Nov. 6, 2018, Marion) – for *Brittany Diann Drake (29/now 30) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the 1 death. Plead not guilty. $30K Surety bond. Out on bond (1/28/19).
Trial set to begin on 2/8/21.
9/16/20 Update: Trial continuance-granted. Next pretrial conference hearing on 1/7/21 & trial has been set to begin on 2/8/21 @ 1pm. 1/7/21 Update: Next trial on 2/8/21.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) – Sanders: Trial set to begin on 3/8/21.
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 26) – Sanders: Trial set to begin on 3/8/21.

*Trial continues (Day 16)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 3) (@ 10:30am UK) – UK – Liberty “Libby” Anna Squire (21) (last seen Jan. 31, 2019 outside Welly Club in Hull; found Mar. 20, 2019 from Grimsby Docks in the Humber Estuary) - *Pawel P. Relowicz (24/now 25) arrested (Feb. 6, 2019 on suspicion of abduction) officially charged (Oct. 30, 2019) with murder & rape. No plea entered yet. Not guilty plea entered on Jan. 12, 2021.
Trial began on Jan. 12, 2021. Trial will be in Sheffield. Richard Wright QC will lead, Mr. Woolfall prosecutor. Oliver Saxby QC for defense. Trial expected to last 6 weeks. Jury: 5 men & 7 women. Day 1 (4/2/21) of deliberations: 2 hours. Day 2 (5/2/21) of deliberations: 5 ½ hours.
Was originally charged (18/3/19 & 10/5/19) with 5 counts of burglary, 4 counts of voyeurism, 3 counts of outraging public decency & 1 count of receiving stolen goods. On Aug. 12, 2019 plead guilty to 9 charges including voyeurism (4 counts), outraging public decency (2 counts) & burglary (3 counts). Relowicz jailed for 8½ years.
Trial Day 1-15 (12/1/21 - 5/2/21) reference post #98 here:
VERDICT WATCH - UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, found deceased, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #24
Feb 5th, Friday, Day 15 of Verdict Watch: The jurors arrived & sent to the deliberation room until they’ve reached a verdict. Court adjourns for the day at 4pm. ~12:57pm: Trial called back on: the judge received a juror note. Requested evidence to be read back; a question whether they could read a witness statement. 1:07pm: Back to deliberations. 4pm: No verdict reached today. Jurors have been told about forecasted snow in Sheffield this weekend. Back on Monday, 8/2/21 @ 10:30am.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, Feb. 5th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) - FL - Meredith Jessie (6) daughter & Mark Weekly (50) father (July 18, 2015, Lakeland, found Aug. 1, 2015) - *Cheyanne Nicole Jessie (25/now 30) indicted (8/18/15) on 2 counts 1st degree murder, 1 count tampering with evidence. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial started on 7/1/19. Jury selection took place from 6/24-28/19. Jury is 9 women & 3 men. Deliberated for ~3 hours & came back with guilty on 2 counts of 1st degree murder, also convicted of tampering with physical evidence for hiding the bodies after the slayings. Penalty Phase deliberations: 7/18 to 7/19: Verdict: The jury in the Cheyanne Jessie trial on Friday recommended a death sentence for Jessie for the murder of her daughter, Meredith. They also recommended 10 years to life in prison for the murder of Mark Weekly, Jessie's father. The jury voted 10-2 on the question of the death sentence for the slaying of Mark Weekly. The lack of a unanimous vote led to the life sentence. They were, however, unanimous in their vote regarding Meredith's murder.
Court info from 7/19/19 thru 4/9/20 reference post #246 here:
GUILTY - FL - Meredith Jessie, 6, & Mark Weekly, 50, Lakeland, 18 July 2015 *Arrest*
7/24/20 Update: Disposition & sentencing hearing on 7/31 has been rescheduled to 9/10/20. 9/10/20: Hearings moved to 11/3/20. 11/3/20 Update: Hearings have been cancelled, 11/17/20: Defendant filed pro se: Demand for Discovery. 12/5/20 Update: Next disposition hearing on 2/5/21.
2/5/21 Update: Circuit Judge Jalal Harb: as to count one, you are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. As to count two, you are sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, Feb. 8th:
*Trial set to begin (Sanders case)-Continued! (@ 1pm CT) - IN (under Javon Blackwell) – *Maurtreyviaum “Troy” Sanders (19) (Nov. 6, 2018, Marion) – for *Brittany Diann Drake (29/now 30) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with conspiracy to commit armed robbery in connection with the 1 death. Plead not guilty. $30K Surety bond. Out on bond (1/28/19).
Trial was set to begin on 2/8/21 continued to 6/21/21.
9/16/20 Update: Trial continuance-granted. Next pretrial conference hearing on 1/7/21 & trial has been set to begin on 2/8/21 @ 1pm. 1/7/21 Update: Next trial on 2/8/21.
2/8/21 Update: Trial has been continued due to COVID to 6/21/21. Next Pretrial conference hearing on 5/20/21.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) – Sanders: Trial set to begin on 3/8/21.
*Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 26) – Sanders: Trial set to begin on 3/8/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, Feb. 8th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) – AL – Kathleen Dawn “Kat” West (42) (Jan. 12, 2018, Calera) – *William Jeffrey West (44/now 46) (husband) arrested (2/22/18), indicted (3/7/18) & arraigned (4/9/18) with murder. Held on $500K bond. Plead not guilty. Bond reduction denied.
Trial began with jury selection on 11/16/20 & trial began on 11/17/20 & ended on 11/20/20. After nearly 5 hours of deliberations, a Shelby County jury found West guilty of reckless manslaughter.
Court info from 8/23/18 thru 11/16/20 re jury selection & Trial 11/17-11/20/20 (Day 1-4) reference post #910 here:
GUILTY - AL - Kathleen "Kat" West, 42, murdered, Calera, 13 Jan 2018 *husband arrested*
1/5/21 Update: The sentencing hearing for West will be held Feb. 8 instead of in January 11 which was the initial date. No reason was stated in court records, however most in-person hearings in Shelby County have been postponed until after Jan. 18 because of the upswing in COVID-19 cases.
2/8/21 Update: Shelby County Judge William Bostick III on Monday ordered West to serve 16 years in prison for the death of his wife, Kat West. West addressed the court before sentencing. He talked of all he’s missed while jailed over the past three years. He never mentioned his wife by name or her death, only saying “I lost my best friend.” West will receive credit for the nearly 3 years he’s already served. He will appeal. Prior to the start of last year’s trial, West was offered a plea deal that would have allowed him to be released immediately for time served. He turned down that deal.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, Feb. 11th:
*Trial Continues (Day 19)-VERDICT REACHED! (Day 6) (@ 10:30am UK) – UK – Liberty “Libby” Anna Squire (21) (last seen Jan. 31, 2019 outside Welly Club in Hull; found Mar. 20, 2019 from Grimsby Docks in the Humber Estuary) - *Pawel P. Relowicz (24/now 25) arrested (Feb. 6, 2019 on suspicion of abduction) officially charged (Oct. 30, 2019) with murder & rape. No plea entered yet. Not guilty plea entered on Jan. 12, 2021.
Trial began on Jan. 12, 2021. Trial will be in Sheffield. Richard Wright QC will lead, Mr. Woolfall prosecutor. Oliver Saxby QC for defense. Trial expected to last 6 weeks. Jury: 5 men & 7 women. Day 1 (4/2/21) of deliberations: 2 hours. Day 2 (5/2/21) of deliberations: 5 ½ hours. Day 3 (8/2/21) of deliberations: 5 hours 15 mins. Day 4 (9/2/21) of deliberations: 5 hours & 50 mins. Day 5 (10/2/21) of deliberations: 4 hours 10 mins. Day 5 (10/2/21) of deliberations: 4 hours 45 mins. Total deliberations: ~27 hours 30 mins.
Was originally charged (18/3/19 & 10/5/19) with 5 counts of burglary, 4 counts of voyeurism, 3 counts of outraging public decency & 1 count of receiving stolen goods. On Aug. 12, 2019 plead guilty to 9 charges including voyeurism (4 counts), outraging public decency (2 counts) & burglary (3 counts). Relowicz jailed for 8½ years.
Trial (Days 1-18) & Deliberation Days (1-5) (12/1/21 - 10/2/21) reference post #799 here:
VERDICT WATCH - UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, found deceased, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #25
Feb 11th Thursday, Day 19 of Verdict Watch (Day 6): Jury to begin on day 6 of deliberations. The jury are about to be sworn in once more. Relowicz is in the dock in the same blue suit he has worn throughout the trial. Judge says she will accept a majority verdict. Justice Lambert has told the jury: “In a moment I’m going to let you continue your deliberations. "If you find you cannot all agree on your verdict I will now accept a verdict that 11 or 10 of you agree on. This means I can accept a guilty or not guilty verdict of a majority of either 10-2 or 11-1.”
@ 3:15pm: Relowicz has been called into the court room. @3:23pm: Justice Lambert has entered the courtroom. Relowicz has been brought in accompanied by three dock officers. Relowicz is sat straight with his hands clasped to his front.
Pawel Relowicz has been found guilty of the rape and murder of Libby Squire.
@ 3:26pm: Relowicz found GUILTY of rape and murder. The jury has found Relowicz guilty of the rape and murder of Libby Squire. The foreman acknowledged at least ten of them agreed to the verdicts.
@ 3:34pm: Relowicz showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out. No pre-sentence report has been requested and Justice Lambert says she will sentence Relowicz at 2pm on Friday, 12/2/21.
@ 3:42pm: Relowicz was taken away by the two dock officers after the verdicts were delivered.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, February 12th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2pm changed to 12pm UK) – UK – Liberty “Libby” Anna Squire (21) (last seen Jan. 31, 2019 outside Welly Club in Hull; found Mar. 20, 2019 from Grimsby Docks in the Humber Estuary) - *Pawel P. Relowicz (24/now 25) arrested (Feb. 6, 2019 on suspicion of abduction) officially charged (Oct. 30, 2019) with murder & rape. No plea entered yet. Not guilty plea entered on Jan. 12, 2021.
Trial began on Jan. 12, 2021. Trial will be in Sheffield. Richard Wright QC will lead, Mr. Woolfall prosecutor. Oliver Saxby QC for defense. Trial expected to last 6 weeks. Jury: 5 men & 7 women. Day 1 (4/2/21) of deliberations: 2 hours. Day 2 (5/2/21) of deliberations: 5 ½ hours. Day 3 (8/2/21) of deliberations: 5 hours 15 mins. Day 4 (9/2/21) of deliberations: 5 hours & 50 mins. Day 5 (10/2/21) of deliberations: 4 hours 10 mins. Day 5 (10/2/21) of deliberations: 4 hours 45 mins. Total deliberations: ~27 hours 30 mins. On Feb. 11, 2021: Jury finds him guilty of rape & murder. He was found guilty of rape unanimously. He was found guilty of murder on a majority of 11 to 1. Sentencing on 12/2/21 to life with a minimum term of 27 years before he can be considered for parole.
Was originally charged (18/3/19 & 10/5/19) with 5 counts of burglary, 4 counts of voyeurism, 3 counts of outraging public decency & 1 count of receiving stolen goods. On Aug. 12, 2019 plead guilty to 9 charges including voyeurism (4 counts), outraging public decency (2 counts) & burglary (3 counts). Relowicz jailed for 8½ years. 2/11/21: It can now be reported for the first time that his sentence was reduced to 5 years & 8 months at the Court of Appeal in March, 2020.
Trial (Days 1-19) & Deliberation Days (1-6) (12/1/21 - 11/2/21) reference post #80 here:
GUILTY - UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, found deceased, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #26
12/2/21 Update: @ 12pm: The court has heard Relowicz’s sentence will start today, however, because he has been a serving prisoner throughout his remand, none of those days will be deducted from the minimum term.
The sentencing of Pawel Relowicz is starting with a victim impact statement from Libby's mum Lisa & then mitigation before Justice Lambert delivers her sentence.
Lisa Squire begins reading out her victim impact statement. (#135 & 137) here:
GUILTY - UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, found deceased, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #26
Libby's dad speaks (#142); Libby's sister Beth lost the person she idolized (#144); Justice Lambert is now taking submissions from prosecutor, Richard Wright QC. (#152); Defence barrister Oliver Saxby is now providing mitigation. (#167) here:
GUILTY - UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, found deceased, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #26
The prosecution & defence have now finished their submissions. Relowicz will be sentenced at 2pm.
@2pm: The jury are now in court & the sentencing of Relowicz should resume shortly. Justice Lambert is now sitting. Relowicz is being brought into the dock by three male dock officers.
@ 2:09pm: Justice Lambert outlines what she has to consider when sentencing Relowicz. She said: “The offence is murder has a fixed sentence of life imprisonment. I must set the minimum term you will serve in custody. “It reflect not only the murder but also the offence of rape. Even after you have served that term you will not be released until the Parole Board decide it is safe to do so. You may never be released & if you are you will be on licence for the rest of your life. Judge going over Relowicz's previous crimes (#217); The judge has praised Libby's mum for her powerful statement. (#219); Judge accepts Relowicz did not go out that night intending to kill (#225) here:
GUILTY - UK - Libby Squire, 21, last seen outside Welly club, found deceased, Hull, 31 Jan 2019 #26
Justice Lambert has sentenced Relwoicz to life imprisonment a minimum term of 27 years before he can be considered for parole. He has also been handed 18 years for rape concurrently. He must serve a minimum term of 27 years before being eligible to go before the parole board.
As the judge left the courtroom, Relowicz stood & watched Libby’s parents, holding his stare for over a minute. He left with three dock officers, showing no emotion as he has done throughout the whole of the trial.

 

[Niner]

Update from January.


Monday, January 25th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ 9:30am ET) - VA – Bellamy Malaki Gamboa (39) (last seen July 1, 2018, Virginia Beach; reported missing July 2, 2018, car found 7/4/18; she has not been found) – *Lamont Johnson (41/now 43) (ex-bf) arrested & charged (7/29/18) & arraigned (7/30/18) with 2nd degree murder & 4 counts of contribute to delinquent/abuse of child. No plea entered. No bond.
Trial was set to begin on 1/25/21 was rescheduled to 7/19/21.
3/29/20 Update: Due to coronavirus trial has been continued to 8/4/20. Trial continued to 1/25/21.
1/25/21 Update: Trial has been continued due to COVID. Next Set for trial hearing on 2/16/21. Trial is set to begin on 7/19/21.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, Feb. 15th thru Friday, Feb. 19th

Nothing...

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, Feb. 22nd thru Friday, Feb. 26th:

Monday, Feb. 22nd:
*Trial set to begin (Blackwell case) (@ 1pm CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) - for *Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 27) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with 3 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with 3 deaths. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 2/22/21-Blackwell / Trial set to begin on 3/8/21-Sanders
9/21/20 Update: Trial has been rescheduled per court’s own motion to 2/22/21. Pretrial hearing on 1/21/20. 1/21/20 Update: Hearing was held. Next trial on 2/22/21.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) – Blackwell - had bench trial on 3/10/20-found guilty & sentenced on 4/3/20 to 200 years in prison. Appealed. Robbery: Trial to begin on 3/22/21. Sanders: Trial set to begin on 3/8/21.


Tuesday, Feb. 23rd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 2:30pm CT) - IN – Ryan Allen Martin (29) (missing & found (in Jasper’s bedroom closet) May 23, 2019, Lafayette) - *Talmadge Russell Jasper (19/now 20) arrested (5/23/19) & preliminary charged (5/24/19) with murder, residential entry & invasion of privacy. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond.
Trial was set to begin on 2/25/20 continued to 9/22/20 & cancelled due to guilty plea.
Court info from 5/30/19 thru 1/31/20 reference post #770 here:
GUILTY - IN - Ryan Martin, 29, murdered in suspect Talmadge Jasper's home, Lafayette, 23 May 2019
8/26/20 Update: Jasper pleaded guilty to murder Wednesday for beating Ryan to death inside Jasper's Pheasant Run apartment on May 23, 2019. The court will decide at sentencing whether Jasper is mentally ill, and prosecutors will dismiss charges of residential entry & invasion of privacy at sentencing. Jasper's guilty plea makes the insanity defense a moot issue, but his mental health could be an issue raised during his sentencing hearing. The plea agreement states that prosecutors will not contest Jasper's claims of being mentally ill. If Tippecanoe Superior Judge Steve Meyer finds Jasper mentally ill, it will not affect the sentencing range of between 45 & 65 years in prison. It might affect Jasper's placement inside the Dept. of Corrections so that he can receive mental health treatment. Jasper's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 2.
11/2/20 Update: Was not sentencing. Was a telephonic attorneys’ conference. Notice to Court of Exclusion of Confidential information filed By: Jasper. Sentencing hearing scheduled for 1/4/21 at 2:30pm. 1/4/21 Update: Court’s own motion due to COVID, sentencing rescheduled to 2/23/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, Feb. 18th:
*Plea Hearing (both cases) (@ 8:30am CT) – TX – Jayden Alexander Lopez aka “Little Jacob” (4 yrs) (died Oct. 17-18, 2017, found Oct. 20, 2017, ID’d April 5, 2018, Galveston) – for *Dania Sarai Amezquita Gomez (31/now 34) “mom’s GF” charged (11/15/18) & indicted (12/19/18) with 1st degree felony offense of injury to a child. (Knew Rivera dumped body). $100K Bond. Also on immigration hold, no bond.
Charged (2/21/20) & indicted (3/18/20) with 3rd degree harassment of public servant.
Trial set to begin on 2/17/21 was cancelled took a plea deal on 2/5/21.
Court hearings from 6/22/18 thru 1/15/21 reference post #125 here:
GUILTY - TX - Galveston, Hispmale 'Little Jacob' UP17178, 3-5, Oct 2017 *arrest* #2 - Jayden Alexander Lopez
2/5/21 Update: Hearing was cancelled; Dania took a plea deal & testified against Rivera. Plea hearing on 2/11/21. 2/11/21 Update: Plea hearing was moved to 2/18/21.
2/18/21 Update: Plea hearing was rescheduled to 2/25/21.
*Rebecca Suzanne Rivera (34/now 36) “mom” – Trial ongoing from 1/27/21. Found guilty. Life in Prison. Rivera will be eligible for parole after 30 years. Status check (tampering) on 2/12/21 was cancelled; case was dismissed & disposed & Status check (injury to child) on 3/5/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, Feb. 22nd:
*Trial was set to begin-CONTINUED! (Blackwell case) (@ 1pm CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) - for *Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 27) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with 3 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with 3 deaths. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial was set to begin on 2/22/21 rescheduled to 6/28/21-Blackwell / Trial set to begin on 3/8/21-Sanders
9/21/20 Update: Trial has been rescheduled per court’s own motion to 2/22/21. Pretrial hearing on 1/21/20. 1/21/20 Update: Hearing was held. Next trial on 2/22/21.
2/22/21 Update: Trial has been continued per Court’s own motion. Next pretrial conference hearing on 5/27/21 & trial set to begin on 6/28/21.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 30) – Blackwell - had bench trial on 3/10/20-found guilty & sentenced on 4/3/20 to 200 years in prison. Appealed. Robbery: Trial to begin on 3/22/21. Sanders: Trial set to begin on 3/8/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, February 23rd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) - IN – Ryan Allen Martin (29) (missing & found (in Jasper’s bedroom closet) May 23, 2019, Lafayette) - *Talmadge Russell Jasper (19/now 20) arrested (5/23/19) & preliminary charged (5/24/19) with murder, residential entry & invasion of privacy. Plead not guilty by reason of insanity. No bond.
Trial was set to begin on 2/25/20 continued to 9/22/20 & cancelled due to guilty plea.
Court info from 5/30/19 thru 11/2/20 reference post #791 here:
GUILTY - IN - Ryan Martin, 29, murdered in suspect Talmadge Jasper's home, Lafayette, 23 May 2019
1/4/21 Update: Court’s own motion due to COVID, sentencing rescheduled to 2/23/21.
2/23/21 Update: Victim's impact statements made by Megan Martin (Ryan's sister-in-law) read a statement from Chris Martin (Ryan's brother). Amber Martin (Ryan's sister-in-law). David Martin (Ryan's father). Ashley Wilson (Jasper's mother). Jasper spoke before sentencing, apologizing for killing Ryan. Doesn't know why he killed Ryan. Tippecanoe County Deputy Prosecutor Michael Dean said Jasper knew full well why he killed Ryan. Jasper killed out of vengeance not out of mental illnes re his ex-girlfriend dating Ryan. Tippecanoe Superior 2 Judge Steve Meyer sentenced Jasper to prison for 60 years for killing Ryan. Jasper will have to serve 75% of the sentence — 45 years — until he can be released. He’s already served 2 years in pretrial detention. After the hearing, Wilson, Jasper’s mother, could be heard in the hallway yelling that they planned to appeal the sentence.

 

[Niner]

Update!


*Plea Hearing (Harrassment still open) (@ 8:30am CT) – TX – Jayden Alexander Lopez aka “Little Jacob” (4 yrs) (died Oct. 17-18, 2017, found Oct. 20, 2017, ID’d April 5, 2018, Galveston) – for *Dania Sarai Amezquita Gomez (31/now 34) “mom’s GF” charged (11/15/18) & indicted (12/19/18) with 1st degree felony offense of injury to a child. (Knew Rivera dumped body). $100K Bond. Also on immigration hold, no bond.
Charged (2/21/20) & indicted (3/18/20) with 3rd degree harassment of public servant.
Trial set to begin on 2/17/21 was cancelled took a plea deal (child injury) on 2/5/21 sentenced on 2/25/21 to 2 years.
Court hearings from 6/22/18 thru 1/15/21 reference post #125 here:
GUILTY - TX - Galveston, Hispmale 'Little Jacob' UP17178, 3-5, Oct 2017 *arrest* #2 - Jayden Alexander Lopez
2/5/21 Update: Hearing was cancelled; Dania took a plea deal & testified against Rivera. Plea hearing on 2/11/21. 2/11/21 Update: Plea hearing was moved to 2/18/21. 2/18/21 Update: Plea hearing was rescheduled to 2/25/21.
2/25/21 Update: Child injury: Terms of plea deal sentenced to 2 years to TDCJ, Correctional Institutions Div. for injury to child. Harrassment of public servant still open.
*Rebecca Suzanne Rivera (34/now 36) “mom” – Trial ongoing from 1/27/21. Found guilty. Life in Prison. Rivera will be eligible for parole after 30 years. Status check (tampering) on 2/12/21 was cancelled; case was dismissed & disposed & Status check (injury to child) on 3/5/21.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, March 1 thru Friday, March 5:

Monday, March 1st:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9:30am ET) – FL – Kameela Russell (41) (May 15, 2019, last see in driveway of Aunt’s house, found 5/25/19 in Snake Creek canal) - *Ernest Joseph Roberts (39/now 41) arrested (6/14/19), charged (6/13/19), indicted (7/17/19) & arraigned (7/18/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. (5/18/20: bond denied due to COVID). DP Case.
Trial set to begin on 3/1/21.
10/13/20 Update: Trial was reset to 1/4/21 @ 9:30am’ 12/7/20: 54 subpoenas sent out. 1/4/21 Update: Motion for continuance-granted. Trial will now begin on 3/1/21.


Wednesday, March 3rd:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9am ET) – FL – Jacye Martin (2) (July 18, 2018, Orlando; tortured & beaten to death w/toilet seat) – for *Johnathan Andrew Pursglove (25/now 27) arrested & charged (9/21/18) & arraigned (12/13/18) with 1st degree aggravated manslaughter. Plead not guilty. Bond denied.
Court info from 6/14/19 thru 11/9/20 reference post #58 here:
GUILTY - FL - Jayce Martin, 2, tortured/beaten to death with toilet seat by mother, Orlando, Jul 2018
1/24/21 Update: Pursglove: Motion for continuance of pretrial conference on 1/26 & trial on 2/8/21. 1/26/21 Update: Plea hearing on 3/3/21. 2/12/21: Order granting Motion to authorize payment for originals of deposition transcripts. Trial management conference hearing on 2/16/21.
2/16/21 Update: Next plea hearing on 3/3/21.
*Victoria Lynn Toth (24/now 26) – Plea hearing on 2/17/21. No update as of 2/27/21.


Friday, March 5th:
*Plea & Sentencing Hearing (@ 8am ET) – OH – Sereniti Jazzlynn-Sky Blankenship-Sutley (13 mos.) (Oct. 17, 2017, Conneaut) – for *Kelsie Marie Blankenship (23/now 25) “mom” arrested & charged (10/19/18) & arraigned (10/23/18) with 2 counts of felony murder, 1 count of 2nd degree felonious assault, 2 counts of 2nd degree endangering children, 1 count of 3rd degree endangering children & 1 count of 1st degree misdemeanor domestic violence. $250K bond.
Trial was set to begin on 5/18/20-continued due to COVID to 2/9/21 & continued with no further dates.
1/7/21: Motion for continuance filed. 1/11/21: Judgement re plaintiff’s motion for continuance-granted. Defense does not object. Next status conference hearing on 2/17/21. 2/11/21: Hearing notice for plea/sentencing hearing 3/2/21 @ 9am before Judge Marianne Sezon.
2/17/21 Update: Motion for continuance filed with certificate of service. Plea & sentencing hearing moved to 3/5/21.
*Joshua Dale Gurto (37/now 39) – “mom’s BF” – Murder: Motions hearing on 3/17/21. Status conference hearing on 4/7/21 & trial to begin on 5/4/21. Aggravated burglary: Plea deadline hearing on 3/17/21. Status hearing on 4/7/21 & trial to begin on 5/4/21.