Trials & Sentencings for December, 2023

[Niner]

For the week of Friday, December 1st:

Friday, December 1st:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10:30am PT) – CA – Denise Lampe (19) (April 1, 1976, Daly City) – *Leon Melvin Seymour (30 @ time of crime/72/now 76) charged (11/16/18) & arraigned (12/18/18) with 1st degree murder with use of deadly weapon, 1 count of attempt or use of deadly weapon, 1 count of torture & 1 count to 2 prior offenses (enhancement). Plead not guilty. $10M bond. No bond (12/14/18).
Is being housed at Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator for other kidnappings & sexually assaults going back decades. DNA match.
Trial began on 3/2/20. Put on hold 3/16/20 due to coronavirus. Restart on 7/8/20, and was continued to 10/13/20 (Day 9) thru 10/16/20 (Day 11). Trial was set to begin on 10/12/21 was vacated due to mental incompetency.
Trial began on 10/5/23 & ended on 10/17/23. Jury found Seymour guilty.
Court info from 3/2/20 thru 10/7/20 & Trial info (Day 9-11: 10/13 to 10/16/20) & 8/6/21 thru 5/23/22 reference post #123 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...h-daly-city-1976-arrest-in-2018.400646/page-7
5/26/22 Update: Receipt of Doctors report; additional Info: Original type receipt of Doctors report Judicial Officer Novak Lisa A. Result continued. Court's motion Parties present defendant, Attorney Paul Demeester. Subpoena: Record returned to Clerk's office; additional info: Comment: Coalinga State Hospital. Defendant not brought into the courtroom; doctor appointed to examine defendant; additional info: Comment: Dr. Young appointed to examine defendant pursuant to Pursuant To 1367. 6/1/22: Order appointing doctor(s) to examination filed. Receipt of Doctors Report; additional info: Preliminary hearing 9am on 7/20/22.
10/26/22: Subpoena records received from Community Regional Medical Center. 10/27/23 Update: More than 47 years after a 19-year-old Denise was found stabbed to death in Daly City, a jury took about one hour Friday, Oct. 27, to deliver a guilty plea for Leon Melvin Seymour in a once-cold case brought to justice by investigators who thought to test an old jacket for DNA. Seymour, a 77-year-old inmate at Coalinga State Hospital for many other kidnappings & sexual assaults going back to the 1970s, could only participate in the trial for about three hours a day because he is physically disabled. He was housed at the San Mateo Medical Center for the duration of the 17-day trial, according to District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Probation Report & Sentencing hearing on 12/1/23 @ 10:30am.

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, Dec. 6th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm Hawaiian-Aleutian Time) - HI - Telma Boinville (51) (Dec. 6, 2017, Oahu) – for *Stephen Brown (23/now 28) arrested (12/13/17), charged & arraigned (12/18/17) with 2nd degree murder, 4 counts kidnapping, 1st degree burglary & criminal property damage. Plead not guilty Bond $1M. After guilty verdict will be held without bond.
Trial began on 1/3/23 for Brown only with Jury Selection & ended 1/9/23. Trial began on 1/9/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 1/13/23. Defense will start their case on 1/17/23 & rested on 1/17/23. Closing arguments done on 1/19/23 & Jury began deliberations on 1/19/23. Total deliberations: 1/19: 1:30pm to 4:30pm = ~3 hours. 1/20: 9am-11am = ~2 hours. Total Deliberations: ~5 hours. Trial ended with a guilty verdict on 1/20/23. Sentencing Phase & jury deliberations Day 1 (1/23/23). 1/23/23: ~3 ½ hours.
Count 7 Criminal Prop Damage IV-Knowingly damages; severity: PM - Petty Misdemeanor. Plead No Contest on 1/9/23. Judge takes plea as guilty. Sentencing hearing on 5/10/23 was continued on 8/30/23 & continued on 10/11/23 & continued on 11/1/23 & continued on 12/6/23.
Court information from 2/19/18 thru 1/2/23 & Jury Selection Days 1-5 (1/3 to 1/9/23) & Trial Day 1-6 (1/9-1/19/23) & Jury Deliberations Days 1-2 (1/19-1/20/23) & Sentencing phase jury deliberations Day 1-2 (1/23-1/24/23) & thru 11/30/23 reference post #248 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-death-oahu-6-dec-2017-arrests.359003/page-13
12/6/23 Update: Sentencing Hearing. Judgement conviction – life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder conviction, 20 years for kidnapping & an extended term of 20 years for burglary.

ALSO:

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1pm Hawaiian-Aleutian Time) - HI - Telma Boinville (51) (Dec. 6, 2017, Oahu) *Hailey Kai Dandurand (20/now 25) arrested (12/13/17), charged & arraigned (12/18/17) with 2nd degree murder, 4 counts kidnapping , 1st degree burglary, 1 count of 2nd degree unauthorized entry into motor vehicle & 1 count of felony unauthorized possession of confidential personal information. Plead not guilty. Bond $500K. Bond reduction denied on 8/25/20.
Telma’s 8 yr. old daughter was found bound & gagged with duct tape.
Trial began with jury selection on 7/10/23. Jury selection ended on 7/17/23. Juror #9 excused & alternate #1 in his place.
Trial began on 7/18/23. State rested their case on 7/25/23. Defense rested their case on 7/27/23.
Jury started deliberations on 7/28/23 (~2 hours). 7/31/23: 7 hours & 15 minutes. 8/1/23: 1 hours & 40 minutes. Total Jury deliberations = ~10 hours. Found guilty of all charges. Sentencing phase began on 8/3/23. Deliberations on 8/3/23: ~4 hours 15 minutes. Deliberations on 8/4/23: ~7 hours & 15 minutes. Total Sentencing phase deliberations: 11 hours & 30 minutes. Sentencing hearing set on 11/15/23 & continued to 12/6/23.
Court information from 2/19/18 thru 7/7/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-5 (7/10-7/17/23) & Trial Day 1-7 (7/18-7/28/23) & Jury Deliberations Day 1-3 (7/28 & 8/1/23) & Sentencing Phase Day 1-2 (8/3-8/4/23) & thru 12/1/23 reference post #248 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-death-oahu-6-dec-2017-arrests.359003/page-13
12/6/23 Update: Sentencing hearing. Judgement conviction: life in prison with the possibility of parole an extended term of 20 years for burglary, an extended term of life with the possibility of parole, one year for unauthorized entry of a motor vehicle * an extended term of 10 years for unauthorized possession of confidential personal information.

 

[Niner]

Oh shoot - just noticed I forgot to post the week of Dec. 6 to Dec. 8th... oh well! Guess I have too many cases to take care of - plus old age...

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, Dec. 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 6)-MISTRIAL! (@ 9:15am ET) – NY – Wendy Jerome (14) (Nov. 22, 1984, raped & severely beaten to death, found later that night lying in an alcove of Schools 33 & 11 at Webster Ave. a couple of blocks from her home) - *Timothy Lee Williams (20 @ time of crime/56/now 59) arrested & charged (9/9/20), indicted (9/28/20) & arraigned (10/22/20) with 2 counts of 2nd degree murder & intention. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
DNA familial search/Williams became a suspect after the New York State crime lab uploaded DNA from the crime scene to a database & came up with profiles of relatives.
Trial began on 11/29/23. 12 jurors & alternates.
DA Sandra Doorley & assistant DA Lisa Gray, defense attorneys Don Thompson & Jessica Nacierio.
Court info from 9/9/20 thru 3/9/21 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/28-11/29/23) & Trial Day 1-5 (11/29-12/5/23) reference post #135 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-7
12/6/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 6: A mistrial has been declared in the trial of a man accused of raping & murdering Wendy in 1984, according to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. Judge Tom Moran said a case of "juror misconduct" was to blame. "A new trial date will be scheduled & trial will "start from scratch." Said DA Doorley.
For more info see post #136 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-7

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, Dec. 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 6)-MISTRIAL! (@ 9:15am ET) – NY – Wendy Jerome (14) (Nov. 22, 1984, raped & severely beaten to death, found later that night lying in an alcove of Schools 33 & 11 at Webster Ave. a couple of blocks from her home) - *Timothy Lee Williams (20 @ time of crime/56/now 59) arrested & charged (9/9/20), indicted (9/28/20) & arraigned (10/22/20) with 2 counts of 2nd degree murder & intention. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
DNA familial search/Williams became a suspect after the New York State crime lab uploaded DNA from the crime scene to a database & came up with profiles of relatives.
Trial began on 11/29/23. 12 jurors & alternates.
Judge Tom Moran presiding. DA Sandra Doorley & assistant DA Lisa Gray, defense attorneys Don Thompson & Jessica Nacierio.
Court info from 9/9/20 thru 3/9/21 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/28-11/29/23) & Trial Day 1-5 (11/29-12/5/23) reference post #135 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-7
12/6/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 6: A mistrial has been declared in the trial of a man accused of raping & murdering Wendy in 1984, according to the Monroe County District Attorney's Office. Judge Tom Moran said a case of "juror misconduct" was to blame. Visibly irate, Judge Moran chastened the jury for its conduct, without identifying specifics other than some members may have spoken of the case. DA Sandra Doorley declined to say specifically what was the misconduct, except to say that it arose from more than one juror. "It's not just one juror," she said. "It was a jury issue that could not be cured." Williams' defense lawyers requested the mistrial after learning of the issue. "A new trial date will be scheduled & trial will "start from scratch." Said DA Doorley.
For more info see post #136 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ster-22-nov-1984-arrest-in-2020.265624/page-7


Friday, Dec. 8th:
*Trial continues (Day 103)-VERDICT WATCH! (Day 2) (@ 10am PT) – British Columbia, Canada – M. S. (13) (last seen alive on July 18, 2017 at a local Tim Hortons, Burney B.C. & her body was found 5 hours later on July 19, 2017 in Burnaby’s Central Park, Vancouver) - *Ibrahim Ali (28/now 33) arrested & charged (9/7/18) & indicted (11/25/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
Police used a new & somewhat controversial “DNA dragnet” technique, after collecting DNA at the crime scene that indicated a suspect of Middle Eastern descent. (He is a Syrian refugee who entered Canada 3 months before murder).
Trial began on 3/17/23 with jury selection & ended on 3/23/23.
Trial began on 4/5/23 & continued on 4/11/23. Crown rested their case on 11/17/23. Defense began on 11/20/23 & rested their case.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard presiding. Crown prosecutor Isobel Keeley & Daniel Porte & defense attorney Ben Lynskey & Kevin McCullough.
Jury deliberations Day 1 (12/7/23): probably ~1 hour. Day 2 (12/8/23): no time yet.
Case & court info from 1/29/19 thru Trial Days 1-101 (4/28 thru 12/1/23) reference post #271 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...irl-13-burnaby-bc-18-july-2017.673539/page-14
12/7/23 Thursday, Trial Day 102/Verdict Watch Day 1: In his final instructions to the jury, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard summed up the arguments presented by Crown and defence &told them they could deliver one of four verdicts: guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter — or not guilty. He again cautioned the jury to completely wipe her evidence from their minds. Jury was sent to begin deliberations just after 5pm Thursday.The jury will be sequestered during their deliberations.
Verdict watch continues on Friday, 12/8/23.
12/8/23 Friday, Trial Day 103/Verdict Watch Day 2: The jury came back with its decision minutes after asking the judge to clarify the differences between first- and second-degree murder & manslaughter. Justice Lance Bernard told them murder would mean Ali deliberately caused the girl's death or meant to cause her bodily harm & knew that this was likely to cause death. Bernard said it would qualify as first-degree murder if it happened while Ali committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault against the girl, whose name is protected by a publication ban. A British Columbia Supreme Court jury has found Ibrahim Ali guilty of first-degree murder for the death of a 13-year-old girl. No sentencing date yet.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, Dec. 8th:
*Pretrial Hearing/Trial Setting Hearing (@ 8:30am PT) – CA – Yonatan Daniel Aguilar (11) (found dead in closet Aug. 22, 2016, Echo Park) - *Veronica Rivas Aguilar (39/now 47) arrested & charged (8/23/16) & arraigned (10/7/19) with murder & willful cruelty to child resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $2M bond.
Court info from 8/23/16 thru 10/6/23 reference post #58 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...echo-park-22-august-2016-arrest.315532/page-3
12/1/23 Update: Pretrial/trial setting hearing reset on 12/8/23 @ 8:30am.
12/8/23 Update: Aguilar was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life in state prison immediately after pleading no contest to assault on a child causing death. Aguilar, now 46, could have faced a potential life prison term without the possibility of parole if her case had gone to trial & if a jury convicted her of first-degree murder & found true the special circumstance allegation of murder involving the infliction of torture involving her son, Yonatan Daniel Aguilar. The murder charge & special circumstance allegation were dismissed as a result of her plea.

 

[Niner]

Okay - this week I remembered!

For the week of Monday, December 11 to Friday, December 15th:

Monday,. December 11th:
*Change of Plea & Sentencing (@ 1:30pm CT) – OK – Bonnie Beth Lilly (3 yrs) (Jan. 3, 2018, Lawton; had 17 lb. tumor/cancer) - *Henry Clarence Lilly III (49/now 54) arrested (1/4/18), charged (1/7/18) & arraigned (12/2/19) with 1st degree manslaughter & not providing medical care to child. Both plead not guilty. $60K bond each. Bonded out on 1/10/19. Bond forfeiture (9/27/22) went on the lam. Bond reset to $1M (10/14/22).
Court hearings from 1/10/19 thru 5/5/23 reference post #196 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...anche-county-3-jan-2019-arrest.412241/page-10
8/28/23 Update: Henry: Parties appear for sounding of the felon docket & defendant's (Henry) request case is passed to the January/February 2024 trial docket. Waived speedy trial. Ordered to appear for felony call docket hearing on 12/11/23 @ 1:30pm. Defendant in custody. Defendant announces intent to change pleas of not guilty to guilty & requests case be set for plea & sentencing. On 12/11/23 @ 1:30pm will be plea & sentencing hearing. Defendant is ordered to appear. Court Order by Judge Walker: case continued to next jury docket Jan/Feb, 2024.
*Bonnie Beth Mills-Lilly (42/now47) - Trial was set to begin on 9/25/23, but trial was vacated/continued due to pending competency.

*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9:30am ET) – TX – Marisela Botello-Valadez (23) (Missing Oct. 5, 2020 while visiting ex in Dallas from Seattle, found deceased on Mar. 24, 2021 in a wooded area near E. Belt Line Rd & Post Oak Rd in Wilmer, TX south of Dallas) - *Lisa Jo Ahmed Dykes (57/now 60) (aka Lisa Beltran & Lisa Ahmed) arrest warrant out (3/25/21) & arrested (in Orange County, FL on 3/27/21), charged (3/27/21) & indicted (6/14/21) with murder & tampering with physical evidence. $500K bond. Released (5/4/21) on bond & must wear ankle monitor. On 12/27/21 Bond held insufficient & bond not allowed. Warrant out for arrest; cut off ankle bracelet & has fled. Extradited back in Texas on 5/24/22. Bond set at $4M.
Botello was killed after leaving a Deep Ellum bar in Oct. 2020. Surveillance video showed Charles Beltran & Marisela leaving together, but it was unclear what happened to Botello.
Trial began on 12/4/23 with jury selection. A 12-person jury & 2 alternates (6 women & 8 men).
Trial began on 12/5/23 with opening statements.
Judge Nancy Mulder. DA Robin R. Pittman & Defense attorney Heath Harris, retained.
Case & Court info from 3/24/21 to 11/20/23 & Trial Day 1-3 (12/5-12/7/23) reference post #699 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...from-seattle-5-oct-2020-arrest.547153/page-35
12/8/23 Friday, Trial Day 4: State witness: Charles Beltran.
For more info see post #701 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...from-seattle-5-oct-2020-arrest.547153/page-36
Note: Beltran has also pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence. The murder charge has been dropped against Beltran if he testified truthfully & for Nina Marano.
Trial continues on Monday, 12/11/23.
*Charles Anthony Beltrán (31/now 34) – Pretrial hearing on 4/4/24 & trial set to begin on 4/15/24.
*Nina Tamar Marano (49/now 52) – Pretrial hearing on 1/25/24. & trial set to begin on 2/20/24.

*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21).
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/29/23.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.
Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1 (11/29/23) & 12/1/23 reference post #174 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...orage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-9
12/1/23 Docket Update: State's partial opposition to proposed 804 (b)(5) Evidence re: Supplemental filing to 11/29 evidentiary hearing. Attorney Erin F. McCarthy.
12/4/23 Docket Updates: Order granting in part Defense Motion to admit all proposed statements relating to Reed Heath. Confidential filings. Motion #8 to limit expert testimony to properly filed Notice filed by Benjamin Dresner for Quade. Opposition to motion #8 to limit expert testimony filed by Erin McCarthy. Order granting motion #10 for expedited consideration. Reply to States 11/30 Opposition filed by Benjamin Dresner. Order denying Motion #8 to limit expert testimony to properly filed notice. Partial Motion #11 for reconsideration filed by Dresner. Order denying partial Motion (#11) for Reconsideration on record. 12/4/23 Monday, Trial Day 2: No info witnesses. Trial continues on Tuesday, 12/5/23.
12/5/23 Docket Update: Motion #9/Affidavit regarding bail filed by Dresner for McQuade. 12/5/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 3: No info witnesses. Trial continues on Wednesday, 12/6/23.
12/6/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 4: No info on witnesses. Trial continues on Thursday, 12/7/23.
12/7/23 Docket Update: Preliminary ruling allowing the State to continue their DNA presentation. 12/7/23 Thursday, Trial Day 5: No info yet. Trial on 12/11/23 was reset. Trial continues on Tuesday, 12/12/23.

*Bench Trial continues (Day 43) (@ 10am ET) – NY - New York vs. Donald J. Trump (76/now 77), Donald Trump, Jr. (45) & Eric Trump (38/now 39) & the Trump Organization, Inc. (Allen Weisselberg (75/now 76) & Jeffrey McConney) are being sued by Letitia James, the New York Attorney General, who is leading a civil investigation (which cannot result in criminal charges filed on 9/21/22) & has spent years looking at whether the company committed various acts of fraud over several decades. In the civil case, Ms. James has filed a lawsuit against Trump & two of his children accusing them of "astounding" fraud & deception.
New York is seeking $250 million in financial penalties & asked the court to ban Trump, Donald Trump Jr. & Eric Trump from serving as an officer or director in any corporation registered or licensed in New York. James also requested the court ban the former president & his business from acquiring real estate in New York or from applying for loans from any New York financial institution for five years. James's civil case accuses Trump of lying from 2011 to 2021 about asset values at the Trump Organization, as well as his own net worth, in order to obtain better terms from lenders & insurers.
Lawsuit against: Donald John Trump, Donald Trump, Jr, Eric Trump, Allen Weisselberg, Jeffrey McConney, The Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, The Trump Organization, Inc., Trump Organization LLC, DJT Holdings LLC, DJT Holinds Managing Memer, Trump Endeavor 12 LLC, 401 North Wabash Venture LLC, Trump Old Post of Fice LLC, 40 Wall Street LLC & Seven Springs LLC.
All charges against Ivanka Trump were dismissed in June, 2023.
Bench Trial began on 10/2/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 11/8/23. Defense began their case on 11/13/23. (could last until 12/22/23 per Judge). Closing arguments on 1/11/24.
The lawsuit’s remaining 6 counts allege similar acts of fraud (that Trump inflated his assets on statements of financial condition that he submitted to banks & insurers for personal gain).
Judge Arthur F. Engoron presiding / NY State Attorney General Leticia James & senior enforcement counsel Kevin Wallace, Defense attorney Christopher Kise & Jesus Suarez & Alina Habba for Trump, Weisselberg & the rest of the defendants for Trump Org. / Clifford Robert of Robert & Robert PLLC for Donald, Jr. & Eric.
New York appellate court temporarily paused gag orders on Thursday, 11/16/23 & NY AG Letitia James & representatives for Judge Arthur Engoron have until Wednesday, 11/22/23 to file a response to the appellate judge's stay of the limited gag order imposed last month on Trump by Engoron, according to the appellate judge's order. Trump's reply is then due on 11/27/23 before the appellate court decides whether to fully lift the gag order. The civil fraud trial is expected to wrap up in mid-December.
Trump’s request for an expedited grant of leave to appeal the gag orders in his civil fraud trial was denied Monday (12/5/23) afternoon. Trump still has an avenue to appeal the decision to a higher court; however, the effort will take longer than his lawyers would like. Trump’s lawyers now face a deadline of Monday, Dec. 11 to file their papers to the First Department.
Case & court info & Summary Judgement from 9/21/22 thru 9/28/23 & Bench Trial Day 1-41 (10/2-12/7/23) reference post #365 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...r-sept-2022-trial-2-oct-2023-2.695170/page-17
12/8/23 Notes: The second day of testimony from the defense's expert accounting witness prompted an argument between attorneys for the two sides over the basic question of what the case is about -- leading defense lawyers to make their fourth unsuccessful request for a directed verdict to end the trial. The arguments came toward the end of direct testimony by accounting expert defense Bartov, who asserted the NYAG's case lacked merit because there was no evidence of any fraud on Trump's statements of financial condition & that any errors about the values of Trump's properties were unintentional & therefore immaterial. The exchange prompted Trump's legal spokesperson, Alina Habba, to make the defense's fourth motion for a directed verdict, arguing that Engoron is "wasting our time" if he won't consider their expert testimony. "They have not proven their case. They haven't," Habba said in her request for a directed verdict. "Denied," Engoron said within seconds of the request, without hearing a response from lawyers for the NYAG.
The defense's accounting expert, Eli Bartov, was paid approximately $877,500 for his expert analysis, the New York University professor testified. Bartov said he was paid an hourly rate of $1,350 for 650 hours of work, receiving payments from the Trump Organization & Trump's Save America PAC. The state's lone expert witness, Michiel McCarty, was paid roughly $350,000 for his testimony.
12/8/23 Friday, Trial Day 42: Defense witness: NYU accounting professor Eli Bartov back on stand.
For more info see post #328 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...r-sept-2022-trial-2-oct-2023-2.695170/page-17
Bartov will have to return to court on Tuesday, 12/12/23 to conclude his testimony, after his direct examination ran longer than expected. After Bartov's direct examination concluded, State attorney Louis Solomon began his cross-examination -- but the parties agreed to adjourn for the day & resume the cross-examination next week. Trump is scheduled to be the only witness on Monday, 12/11/23. Once Bartov concludes his testimony, NYAG Letitia James plans to present a brief rebuttal case. Bench Trial continues on Monday, 12/11/23.


Tuesday, December 12th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10:30am ET) - FL – Daniel Eric Markel (41) (shot to death July 18, 2014, Tallahassee) - *Charles Jay Adelson (37 @ time of crime/45/now 46) was indicted (4/20/22), arrested & charged (4/21/22) & booked (in Leon County 4/25/22) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder & solicitation to commit murder. Plead not guilty. No bond (denied bond 4/26/22). Bond release denied (9/9/22).
Jury selection set to begin on 10/23/23 & ended on 10/25/23. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (8 men & 7 women; 7 white men, 1 Black man, 2 white women & 5 Black women).
Trial began on 10/26/23. State rested their case on 11/1/23. Defense began on 11/1/23 & rested on 11/3/23. From 9am 5:30pm except Wednesdays from 9am-5pm/5:15pm.
Jury deliberated (11/6/23) for 3 hours 13 minutes & verdict: guilty of all 3 charges.
Circuit Judge Stephen Everett presiding. Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman. Defense attorney Daniel Rashbaum & Kate Meyers.
Court info from 4/21/22 thru 10/23/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/23-10/25/23) & Trial Day 1-7 (10/26-11/3/23) reference post #2 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...markel-murdered-by-hitmen-3-guilty-17.695169/
11/6/23 Monday, Trial Day 8: Closing arguments by Georgia Cappleman & by defense attorney Daniel Rashbaum &rebuttal by Cappleman. Judge Everett gave jury instructions & jury went to deliberations.
For more info see post #148 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-murdered-by-hitmen-3-guilty-17.695169/page-8
Jury left at 1:48pm for start of deliberations.
For more info see post #234 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-3-guilty-17.695169/page-12
Jury deliberated for about 3 hours 13 minutes. GUILTY on all 3: 1st degree murder, conspiracy & solicitation; mandatory life sentence.
For more info see post #344 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-3-guilty-17.695169/page-18
Sentencing hearing & victim impact statements on 12/12/23 @ 2:30pm.
11/7/23 Update: Defendant Adelson's Sealed Motion to Interview Jurors. Rashbaum filed this motion to permit him to interview the jurors in this case. His motion states that he received an email from one of the alternate jurors, who told him about an apparent group chat among the jurors. Rashbaum wants to interview the jurors about this apparent group chat to determine whether they engaged in improper deliberations outside the jury room, which could potentially constitute grounds for challenging the verdict. The motion notes that the prosecution opposes this request for the defense to interview the jurors.
11/9/23 Update: Defense’s Motion to interview jurors-denied & under seal.
On November 9, 2023, The State Surgeon General issued a suspension of the license to practice as a dentist in the State of Florida against Charles Jay Adelson D.M.D.
11/6/23 Update: The judge ordered a pre sentencing investigation for Adelson & set the date 12/12/2023 as Case Management Conference. Today 12/4/23, the Case Management Conference is CANCELLED/REMOVED. Instead, the Court sets the date for Final Disposition (Sentencing) on 12/12/23 @ 2:30pm.
*Katharine Diana Magbanua (32/now 38) – 5/27/22: Found guilty on ALL charges Sentenced on 7/29/22 for murder LWOP & for conspiracy & solicitation two 30 consecutive years in prison. 8/4/22: Magbanua has transitioned to the FL Department of Corrections Women's Reception Center in Ocala, thus ending a very lengthy six-year stay in the Leon County Jail.
*Sigfredo Garcia (34/now 40) – 10/10/19: Found guilty of 1st degree murder. Guilty of conspiracy. Not guilty of solicitation. Sentenced to LWOP for murder plus 30 years for conspiracy charge. 11/4/19: Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Mauricio Padilla; Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Saam Zangeneh. His appeal was denied.
*Luis Rivera (33/now 39) charged with 1st degree murder. Took a plea deal (Oct. 2016) & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder. Testified against Garcia & Magbanua. Will receive 19-year sentence to run concurrently with his 12 year Federal time, which he is already serving.
*Donna Sue Adelson (63) - Arraignment hearing on 12/11/23.

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am PT) – British Columbia, Canada – M. S. (13) (last seen alive on July 18, 2017 at a local Tim Hortons, Burney B.C. & her body was found 5 hours later on July 19, 2017 in Burnaby’s Central Park, Vancouver) - *Ibrahim Ali (28/now 33) arrested & charged (9/7/18) & indicted (11/25/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
Police used a new & somewhat controversial “DNA dragnet” technique, after collecting DNA at the crime scene that indicated a suspect of Middle Eastern descent. (He is a Syrian refugee who entered Canada 3 months before murder).
Trial began on 3/17/23 with jury selection & ended on 3/23/23.
Trial began on 4/5/23 & continued on 4/11/23. Crown rested their case on 11/17/23. Defense began on 11/20/23 & rested their case.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard presiding. Crown prosecutor Isobel Keeley & Daniel Porte & defense attorney Ben Lynskey & Kevin McCullough.
Jury deliberations Day 1 (12/7/23): probably ~1 hour. Day 2 (12/8/23): a few hours (~3 hours. Total deliberations: ~4 hours. Verdict: Guilty of 1st degree murder.
Case & court info from 1/29/19 thru Trial Days 1-101 (4/28 thru 12/1/23) reference post #271 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...irl-13-burnaby-bc-18-july-2017.673539/page-14
12/7/23 Thursday, Trial Day 102/Verdict Watch Day 1: In his final instructions to the jury, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard summed up the arguments presented by Crown and defence &told them they could deliver one of four verdicts: guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter — or not guilty. He again cautioned the jury to completely wipe her evidence from their minds. Jury was sent to begin deliberations just after 5pm Thursday.The jury will be sequestered during their deliberations. Verdict watch continues on Friday, 12/8/23.
12/8/23 Friday, Trial Day 103/Verdict Watch Day 2: The jury came back with its decision minutes after asking the judge to clarify the differences between first- and second-degree murder & manslaughter. Justice Lance Bernard told them murder would mean Ali deliberately caused the girl's death or meant to cause her bodily harm & knew that this was likely to cause death. Bernard said it would qualify as first-degree murder if it happened while Ali committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault against the girl, whose name is protected by a publication ban. A British Columbia Supreme Court jury has found Ibrahim Ali guilty of first-degree murder for the death of a 13-year-old girl. Sentencing hearing on 12/12/23.


Wednesday, December 13th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Acosta only) (@ 9am CT) – IL – Andrew “AJ” Freund, Jr. (5) (reported missing April 17, 2018, Crystal Lake; found buried in shallow grave on April 24, 2019, near Woodstock) – *Carlos J. Acosta (54/now 57) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/24/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. $20K bond (bonded out 9/10/20). Plead not guilty. Balance due: $2K bond.
*Andrew R. Polovin (48/now 51) arrested, charged & indicted (9/10/20) & arraigned (9/17/20) with 2 felony counts of endangering the life of a child & 1 felony count of reckless conduct. Plead not guilty. $20K bond. (bonded out 9/11/20).
Bench Trial began on 9/11/23. Continued on 9/12, 9/13, 9/14, 9/15 & 9/18/23. Prosecutors rested their case on 9/14/23. Defense began their case on 9/15/23 & ended on 9/15/23 without calling any witnesses. Closing arguments on 10/13/23.
Lake County Judge George Strickland.
Prosecutor McHenry County State's Attorney Patrick Kenneally.
Defense attorneys: Acosta's attorney Jamie Wombacher & Polovin's attorney Matthew McQuaid.
Case & Court info from 9/10/20 thru 7/27/23 & Trial Day 1-5 (9/11-9/15/23) & 9/19/23 reference post #21 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...il-2019-arrests-mother-guilty-6.690367/page-2
10/13/23 Friday, Bench Trial Day 6: Closing arguments. Trial will continue on Monday, 10/16/23 with verdict from Judge.
9/25/23: Both: Order. 9/26/23: Certificate-mailing by Clerk. 9/29/23: Notice-filing. Exhibits-Standalone. 10/6/23: Acosta: Response & Notice-filing.
10/13/23 Update: Polovin was found not guilty by Judge Strickland. Case is closed. Acosta was found guilty of count 1 & 2 & count 3 was dismissed by Court's motion. Sentencing hearing on 12/13/23 @ 9am.
*JoAnn D. Cunningham (35/38 when sentenced/now 40) – 12/5/19: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 7/17/20 to 35 years in prison. Post conviction petition hearing on 6/1/22. Post conviction petition denied/dismissed.
*Andrew T. Freund, Sr. (60/63 when sentenced/now 65) – 9/18/20: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 9/18/20 to 30 years in prison. Will help prosecutors with case against welfare workers. On Jan. 21, the ARDC announced Andrew T. Freund, licensed as an attorney since 1984, had been disbarred after being convicted last year of involuntary manslaughter, aggravated battery of a child & concealment of a homicidal death.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, Dec. 7th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am CT) – MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - - *Brian Higgins (51/now 55) of Wisconsin Dells, WI. arrested & charged (10/15/20) with material support of an act of terrorism. Was extradited to Antrim County. Wisconsin: Bail $10K Cash (10/19/20 paid cash-released w/GPS tracking monitor). No longer on GPS (9/16/22).
Trial was set to begin on 8/21/23 but Higgins plead guilty on 3/15/23 & will be cooperating with authorities.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 2/12/23 reference post #798 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-40
2/15/23 Update: ALL: Antrim County Circuit Court Judge Kevin A. Eisenheimer approved two motions. The motions, which the State filed, asked to join the cases for trial & to admit coconspirator statements. However the defendants all filed either objections or responses to the State’s motion to consolidate. “These statements will provide the jury with more detail as to what happened during the commission of the crimes charged,” Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “I am grateful Judge Elsenheimer has permitted the coconspirators’ statements to be heard at trial.” The next court date is Monday, 3/13/23, when the court will consider a motion to hear arguments about an order regarding Kaleb Franks, a witness in custody. A habeas corpus hearing for William Null case will also take place on 3/13/23. Brian Higgins to change his not-guilty plea on 3/15/23. Higgins is scheduled for a hearing Wednesday 3/13/23 in Antrim County court. He was charged in northern Michigan with providing material support for an act of terrorism. It wasn’t immediately known if he has been offered a deal with a lesser charge.
3/15/23 Update: Higgins: The court’s register of actions shows the plea hearing is scheduled to begin at 10am with Judge Charles Hamlyn presiding. Higgins plead guilty in Antrim County Circuit Court to attempting to provide material support for terrorism, a potential five-year felony; He had faced a 20-year charge & agreed to cooperate with authorities in an alleged plot to kidnap the governor. Higgins won't be sentenced by Judge Charles Hamlyn until after the August 21, 2023 trial of his four co-defendants. His cooperation could improve his chances for a lighter sentence.
12/7/23 Update: Higgins will be sentenced on Thursday, 12/7/23. 12/7/23 Update: Higgins will serve 36 months of probation.

ALSO:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am CT) - MI -Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - *Shawn Michael Fix (38/now 41) - 6/7/23: Fix plead guilty to providing material support for an act of terrorism, namely the strategy to snatch Whitmer at her vacation home in Antrim County. Prosecutors agreed to drop a weapon charge. Fix acknowledged helping plot leader Adam Fox pinpoint the location of Whitmer’s home, key information that was used for a 2020 ride to find the property in northern Michigan. Fix, who faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, agreed to testify if called by prosecutors.
12/7/23 Update: Sentencing hearing for Fix on 12/7/23. 12/7/23 Update: Fix will serve 3 to 20 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, Dec. 8th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10:30am PT) – CA – Denise Lampe (19) (April 1, 1976, Daly City) – *Leon Melvin Seymour (30 @ time of crime/72/now 76) charged (11/16/18) & arraigned (12/18/18) with 1st degree murder with use of deadly weapon, 1 count of attempt or use of deadly weapon, 1 count of torture & 1 count to 2 prior offenses (enhancement). Plead not guilty. $10M bond. No bond (12/14/18).
He Is being housed at Coalinga State Hospital as a sexually violent predator for other kidnappings & sexually assaults going back decades. DNA match.
Trial began on 3/2/20. Put on hold 3/16/20 due to coronavirus. Restart on 7/8/20, and was continued to 10/13/20 (Day 9) thru 10/16/20 (Day 11). Trial was set to begin on 10/12/21 was vacated due to mental incompetency.
Trial began on 10/5/23 & ended on 10/17/23. Jury found Seymour guilty.
Court info from 3/2/20 thru 10/7/20 & Trial info (Day 9-11: 10/13 to 10/16/20) & 8/6/21 thru 11/29/23 reference post #145 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...h-daly-city-1976-arrest-in-2018.400646/page-8
12/1/23 Update: Exhibit List Receipt. Comment: Received by Exhibit Technician. People, Defense, Court. 12/1/23 hearing was reset on 12/8/23 for Probation Report & Sentencing hearing with Judge Lisa A. Novak presiding at 10:30am. Comment: need zoom for victim’s brother.
12/8/23 Update: Seymour was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Credit 133 days. Fee totals: $5K. Condition - Adult. 1. Imposition of sentence is suspended., 12/8/23, Active 12/08/23. 2. Genetic marker testing pursuant to PC 296 is ordered., Genetic Marker Testing, 12/8/23, Active 12/8/23. 3. Fine(s) to be collected by the Dept. of Corrections. 4. Total fine amount that is ordered payable through CDC, $5,000.00, 12/8/23. PC12022-ENH-Special Allegation - use of deadly weapon | Prison Sentence: Consecutive: Count 1. Term Type: Additional Time Term: 1 Year. Probation Report & Sentencing. Original Type: Probation Report & Sentencing by Judicial Officer: Lisa A. Novak. Parties Present: Defendant Leon Seymour & Attorney Paul F. Demeester. Non-case party present: Victim's brother Don Lampe. Prop 63 Firearm-Ammunition Relinquish Advisory (In-custody). Court advised defendant of requirements pursuant to Prop. 63. In-custody defendant provided with Prohibited Persons Relinquishment Form * instructed to return it to the Probation Dept. within 14 days. Time waived for sentencing. Arraignment for Sentencing Waived. No legal cause. Defendant stated there is no legal cause why sentence should not now be pronounced. Probation is denied. Defendant ordered Transported forthwith. Abstract of Judgment filed - State Prison/. Indeterminate. Exhibit List Receipt; received by Exhibit Technician.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, Dec. 12th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10:30am ET) - FL – Daniel Eric Markel (41) (shot to death July 18, 2014, Tallahassee) - *Charles Jay Adelson (37 @ time of crime/45/now 46) was indicted (4/20/22), arrested & charged (4/21/22) & booked (in Leon County 4/25/22) with 1st degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder & solicitation to commit murder. Plead not guilty. No bond (denied bond 4/26/22). Bond release denied (9/9/22).
Jury selection set to begin on 10/23/23 & ended on 10/25/23. 12 Jurors & 3 alternates (8 men & 7 women; 7 white men, 1 Black man, 2 white women & 5 Black women).
Trial began on 10/26/23. State rested their case on 11/1/23. Defense began on 11/1/23 & rested on 11/3/23. From 9am 5:30pm except Wednesdays from 9am-5pm/5:15pm.
Jury deliberated (11/6/23) for 3 hours 13 minutes & verdict: guilty of all 3 charges.
Circuit Judge Stephen Everett presiding. Prosecutor Georgia Cappleman. Defense attorney Daniel Rashbaum & Kate Meyers.
Court info from 4/21/22 thru 10/23/23 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/23-10/25/23) & Trial Day 1-7 (10/26-11/3/23) & thru 11/9/23 reference post #315 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...murdered-by-hitmen-3-guilty-17.695169/page-16
11/9/23 Update: The judge ordered a pre sentencing investigation for Adelson & set the date 12/12/2023 as Case Management Conference. Today 12/4/23, the Case Management Conference is CANCELLED/REMOVED. Instead, the Court sets the date for Final Disposition (Sentencing) on 12/12/23 @ 2:30pm.
12/12/23 Update: Adelson was sentencing to life in prison without parole. For more info see post #341 on page 18 at above link.
*Katharine Diana Magbanua (32/now 38) – 5/27/22: Found guilty on ALL charges Sentenced on 7/29/22 for murder LWOP & for conspiracy & solicitation two 30 consecutive years in prison. 8/4/22: Magbanua has transitioned to the FL Department of Corrections Women's Reception Center in Ocala, thus ending a very lengthy six-year stay in the Leon County Jail.
*Sigfredo Garcia (34/now 40) – 10/10/19: Found guilty of 1st degree murder. Guilty of conspiracy. Not guilty of solicitation. Sentenced to LWOP for murder plus 30 years for conspiracy charge. 11/4/19: Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Mauricio Padilla; Motion to Withdraw as Counsel: Saam Zangeneh. His appeal was denied.
*Luis Rivera (33/now 39) charged with 1st degree murder. Took a plea deal (Oct. 2016) & plead guilty to 2nd degree murder. Testified against Garcia & Magbanua. Will receive 19-year sentence to run concurrently with his 12 year Federal time, which he is already serving.
*Donna Sue Adelson (73) – Status hearing on 1/9/24.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, Dec. 13th:
*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 9:30am ET) – TX – Marisela Botello-Valadez (23) (Missing Oct. 5, 2020 while visiting ex in Dallas from Seattle, found deceased on Mar. 24, 2021 in a wooded area near E. Belt Line Rd & Post Oak Rd in Wilmer, TX south of Dallas) - *Lisa Jo Ahmed Dykes (57/now 60) (aka Lisa Beltran & Lisa Ahmed) arrest warrant out (3/25/21) & arrested (in Orange County, FL on 3/27/21), charged (3/27/21) & indicted (6/14/21) with murder & tampering with physical evidence. $500K bond. Released (5/4/21) on bond & must wear ankle monitor. On 12/27/21 Bond held insufficient & bond not allowed. Warrant out for arrest; cut off ankle bracelet & has fled. Extradited back in Texas on 5/24/22. Bond set at $4M.
Trial began on 12/4/23 with jury selection. A 12-person jury & 2 alternates (6 women & 8 men).
Trial began on 12/5/23 with opening statements. Prosecutors rested their case on 12/12/23. Defense began their case on 12/12/23 & ended on 12/13/23. Jury deliberated for 90 minutes & found Dykes guilty on both charges.
Judge Nancy Mulder. DA Robin R. Pittman & Defense attorney Heath Harris, retained.
Case & Court info from 3/24/21 to 11/20/23 & Trial Day 1-6 (12/5-12/12/23) reference post #725 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...seattle-5-oct-2020-arrest.547153/page-37/url] [COLOR=rgb(255, 0, 0)][SIZE=3]12/1...oct-2020-arrest.547153/page-37[/SIZE][/COLOR]
*Charles Anthony Beltrán (31/now 34) – Pretrial hearing on 4/4/24 & trial set to begin on 4/15/24.
*Nina Tamar Marano (49/now 52) – Pretrial hearing on 1/25/24. & trial set to begin on 2/20/24.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, Dec. 18th thru Friday, Dec. 22nd:

Monday, Dec. 18th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am CT) –IL - Sheila von Wiese-Mack (62) (killed in Bali on Aug. 12, 2014 by daughter & her bf Tommy Schaefer at the St. Regis Bali Resort Hotel in Bali, Indonesia) - *Heather Mack (19 @ time of crime/26/now 27) Federal indictment (2017), charged & arrested (11/3/21) & arraigned (11/3/21) with conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to commit foreign murder of a U.S. national & obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty (11/3/21). Held without bond. Denied bond on 12/8/22.
Bench trial began on 9/6/22 for custody of Stella & ended on 11/18/22 with Cook County Judge Stephanie Miller ordering temporary care of Stella to Lisa Hellman, whose mother is/was sister of Sheila.
7/3/23 Update: Tommy Schaefer, currently serving an 18-year prison sentence in Bali for the murder of Sheila von Wiese, could be released from Indonesian custody and return to the United States as early as spring of 2026. Schaefer acknowledged his part in von Wiese’s brutal murder in 2014, but called his federal indictment for conspiracy to murder von Wiese “vengeful.” He also reiterated his contention that he never meant to kill her until a heated argument took place in her hotel room. Schaefer has already had four years and two months shaved off his sentence, and in August he will receive another six-month reduction.” With effectively 18 months off his sentence annually, Schaefer can expect release as early as April of 2026 & possibly earlier.
Federal Trial was set to begin on 8/1/23 is now vacated due to guilty plea on 6/16/23. Sentencing on 12/18/23.
U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly. Defense attorney Michael Leonard.
Info on Mack’s previous crime & case info from 11/12/21 thru 6/29/22 & Bench Trial Day 1-25 (9/6/22 to 10/7/22) & thru 6/1/23 reference post #663 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-aug-2014-fnd-guilty-in-bali-6.593581/page-34
6/9/23 Update: Change of plea hearing has been rescheduled on 6/16/23 @ 8:30am. 6/16/23 Update: Mack stood before U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly as he asked her questions. She spoke confidently & calmly as the judge asked whether she was giving up her right to remain silent at the motion hearing. “Yes, your honor,” Mack responded from a podium. After the judge explained the charge against her, Mack pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to kill a U.S. national. The judge set 12/18/23 as sentencing date for Mack. Mack struck a deal with federal prosecutors that would cap her prison sentence at 28 years. But key questions remain. Among them is whether U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly will credit Mack with the seven years she spent imprisoned in Indonesia. Another is whether Kennelly will accept the deal at all. Despite the cap on Mack’s sentence, she still seems to face a wide range of outcomes in December. That’s largely because prosecutors have taken the position that Mack should not be credited for the time she spent imprisoned in Indonesia. Mack’s lawyers disagree. As a result, Mack could potentially walk free after her sentencing. Or she could wind up serving a sentence that would keep her behind bars for another 20 years. It’s more likely her sentence will land somewhere in between.

*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am MT) - CO - *Young child taken from shopping cart in Walmart, Feb. 9, 2023, Alamosa. - *Kimberli Jones (50) charged (2/9/23) with kidnapping, menacing, child abuse & disorderly conduct.
Case & Court info from 2/9/23 thru 8/30/23 reference post #31 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-kidnap-young-child-at-walmart-2-9-23.663068/
9/6/23 Update: First appearance hearing was reset on 9/19/23 @ 1:15pm. 9/19/23 Update: First appearance hearing was reset on 10/19/23.
10/19/23 Update: Jones has plead guilty (do not know to “what”) as next is sentencing hearing on 12/18/23 @ 10am.

*Trial continues (Day 10) (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21). Bond now (12/12/23) @ $8500 cash.
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/29/23. Trial on 12/18, 12/19, 12/20 & 12/21/23. Expected to last 4 to 6 weeks.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.
Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1-5 (11/29-12/7/23) & 12/10/23 reference post #191 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-10
12/7/23 Docket Update: Preliminary ruling allowing the State to continue their DNA presentation.
12/11/23 Docket Update: Order denying Motion to preclude testimony regarding certain biological evidence.
12/12/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 6: No info yet. Trial continues on Wednesday, 12/13/23. 12/12/23 Docket Update: Order allowing Leanne Strickland as a witness in the prosecution's Case-in-Chief. Bond status: Partial exoneration of bond. Bond amount $8500 cash.
12/13/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 7: No info yet. Trial continues on Thursday, 12/14/23.
12/14/23 Thursday, Trial Day 8: No info yet. Trial continues on Friday, 12/15/23.
12/15/23 Friday, Trial Day 9: No info yet. Trial continues on Monday, 12/18/23.


Tuesday, Dec. 19th:
*Trial set to begin (contraband) (@ 1:30pm PT) – AZ – Isabel Mercedes Celis (6) (missing from home April 21, 2012, Tucson, found in a desert area in Marana, located off of Avra Valley & Trico roads on Mar. 3, 2017, Id’ed Mar. 31, 2017) – *Christopher Matthew Clements (30 @ time of 1st crime/36/now 41) aka Damion James Johnson indicted (9/15/18) & arraigned & charged (9/24/18) with 1 count of 1st degree murder, 1 count of kidnapping a minor under 15 & 14 counts of sexual exploitation of minors. Plead not guilty. $2M cash only bond. DA will not seek DP.
Murder trial for Isabel began on with jury selection on 2/9/23 & a jury was selected. Jury: 9 men & 6 women. Only 12 will actively participate in the trial (other 3 will be alternates). Pima County Superior Court Judge James Marner presiding.
Trial began on Tuesday, 2/14/23 thru 3/3/23. Jury deliberations for a total: ~7 hours. Jury could not come up with a verdict & Judge James Marner declares a mistrial. 11 voted for conviction, one for acquittal.
Murder trial set to begin on 2/6/24. Trial will be from Tuesday (except 2/20/24) thru Friday. 2/7/24, 2/8/24, 2/9/24, 2/13/24, 2/14/24, 2/15/24, 2/16/24, 2/21/24, 2/22/24 & 2/23/24.
Court hearings from 8/23/19 to 6/26/23 reference post #713 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-36
7/10/23 Update: Next motions hearing on 7/31/23 @ 1:30pm.
*Maribel Victoria Gonzales (13) - Trial started 9/13/22 & ended 9/30/22 with a guilty verdict. Sentenced on 11/14/22 to natural life in prison & 17 years for kidnapping. The kidnapping sentence will be served consecutively with the sentence of natural life.
Trial for Fraud began on 1/30/23 & ended 2/2/23 with a guilty verdict. Sentencing hearing on 1/31/24.
*Christopher Matthew Clements (41) charged & arraigned (2/28/23) with promoting/possession of prison contraband a felony (2/7/23). Plead not guilty.
Trial was set to begin on 11/28/23 continued on 12/19/23, 12/20/23 & 12/21/23 @ 1:30pm (3 day trial)
Court hearings from 2/4/23 to 8/14/23 reference post #713 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...tucson-20-april-2012-arrest-27.464075/page-36
10/2/23 Update: Motions hearing continued on 11/27/23 @ 3pm. Trial was moved to 11/28/23 @ 1:30pm & 11/29/23 @ 10:30am.
11/27/23 Update: Had a 5 minute status hearing @ 10:30am. Back at 3pm for a pending matters/motions hearing. Trial has been rescheduled on 12/19/23, 12/20/23 & 12/21/23 all @ 1:30pm.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, Dec 18th:
*Trial Posture Hearing (@ 9:30am ET) - FL – Priscilla Torres (19) (Feb. 10, 2018, Miami) – *Jaime Luis Plasencia (18/now 24) arrested (6/4/18), charged (6/5/18) & arraigned (7/6/18) with 2nd degree murder with weapon. Plead not guilty. No bond.
Trial set to begin on 1/16/24 was vacated; Plead guilty.
Court info from 8/6/18 to 9/20/23 reference post #78 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-death-miami-10-feb-2018-arrest.365447/page-4
10/4/23 Update: Next trial posture hearing on 12/18/23 @ 9:30am. 10/19/23 Update: (739) Plea hearing set on 10/20/23. 10/20/23: (740) Amended information filed. (741) Closing Judge aura Cruz. Case closed (742). Court fee indigent (743). Memorandum of costs amount $60 (744). Stay granted-due 10/20/34 (745). Sentencing guidelines score sheet (747). Letter from next of kin (748). Order of supervision 5 years probation (749). 10/23/23: Sheriff's certificate-Counts 1964 days (750).
11/1/23: Commitment issued (751). 11/2/23: Commitment checklist from electronic filing (752). Plead guilty. Judgement & sentenced to 10 years in prison & eligible for probation of 5 years supervision.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, Dec. 19th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ am ET) - GA -2 ladies (Jan. 1, 2019, Houston County) - *Bo Dukes (34 @ time of crime/37/now 38) re-indicted (5/19/22) with 1 count of rape, 2 counts of aggravated sodomy, involving both women; 2 counts of kidnapping, 2 counts of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, 4 counts of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony & 1 count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Held without bond. Houston County
According to the indictment (5/19/22), Dukes pointed a Browning 20-gauge shotgun at both women & threatened to kill them; Dukes went missing after the New Year's Day incident & was arrested four days later at a relative's home in Irwin County. No trial date has been set for Dukes on either the Houston County case or the Ben Hill County charges.
Court info from 6/1/22 thru 2/7/23 reference post #703 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-22-oct-2005-guilty-not-guilty.430005/page-36
1/6/19 Update: Made appearance before Judge charged with rape, aggravated sodomy, false imprisonment & possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Warner Robbins case. Held without bond. No further dates given. Dukes is currently in state custody & will eventually be turned over (1/9/19) to federal custody & will complete six months in federal prison, as part of his revoked supervised release. Houston County Warner Robins case on 1/1/20. See below for sentencing.
GA – 1 Lady (Jan. 19, 2017, Houston County) - *Bo Dukes (32 @ time of crime/34/now 38) indicted & charged (Oct, 2019) with 1 count of sexual assault rape. Houston County
12/19/23 Update: Bo Dukes has pled guilty to three additional charges in two rape cases. Dukes was convicted for his involvement in the 2005 death and disappearance of Irwin County teacher & beauty queen Tara Grinstead. Those charges are for two unrelated rape cases out of Houston County. He is currently serving 25 years in prison for charges out of Wilcox County. Documents from the Houston County Clerk’s office that show Dukes did plead guilty in November to three charges; two counts of rape & one charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Judge sentenced Dukes to 20 years to serve 10 concurrent with any other sentence that he’s serving. He is currently serving at the Central State Prison. When he is released in 2044, Dukes will have to register as a sex offender.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, Dec. 19th:
*Trial continues (Day 11)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 8:30am PT) – AK – Shelley Connolly (16) (January 7, 1978, Anchorage) - *Donald Frances McQuade (21 @ time of crime/62/now 67) arrested & charged (8/30/19), arraigned (9/4/19) & indicted (10/3/19) with 1 count of 1st degree murder & 1 count of 2nd degree murder. $1M cash bond (Alaska). Judge reduced (4/1/20) to $10K CASH bail & $50K unsecured bond & 24-hour location monitoring. Arrested in Oregon & extraditing to Alaska on 10/2/19. Out on bond (1/6/21). Bond now (12/12/23) @ $8500 cash. After verdict was taken into custody.
New advances in DNA help this case. GEDMatch & “genetic genealogy”. Admits to having sex with Shelley, but denies killing her.
Trial began on 11/29/23 & ended on 12/19/2 with a guilty verdict.
Judge Andrew Peterson presiding. Prosecutor Erin F. McCarthy & Assistant Attorney General Paige Smothers. Defense attorneys Kyle Mitchell Barber & Benjamin Dresner.
Court info from 9/4/19 thru 11/21/23 & Jury selection Day 1-2 (11/27 & 11/28/23) & Trial Day 1-6 (11/29-12/12/23) reference post #193 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-10
12/13/23 Wednesday, Trial Day 7: No info yet. Trial continues on Thursday, 12/14/23.
12/14/23 Thursday, Trial Day 8: No info yet. Trial continues on Friday, 12/15/23.
12/15/23 Friday, Trial Day 9: No info yet. Trial continues on Monday, 12/18/23.
12/18/23 Monday, Trial Day 10: Closing arguments , Trial continues on Tuesday, 12/19/23 with jury deliberations to begin.
12/19/23 Tuesday, Trial Day 11: An Anchorage jury about two hours of deliberation to convict McQuade found guilty of first-degree murder & second-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Shelley. McQuade has been living in Gresham & has been free on bail for several years. After the guilty verdict, McQuade was handcuffed & taken back into custody with sentencing scheduled for 4/26/24.
For more info see post #198 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rage-7-jan-1978-arrest-in-2019.322252/page-10

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, December 25 thru Friday, December 29th...

Nothing...

everyone!

See you all next year!

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, December 12th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am PT) – British Columbia, Canada – M. S. (13) (last seen alive on July 18, 2017 at a local Tim Hortons, Burney B.C. & her body was found 5 hours later on July 19, 2017 in Burnaby’s Central Park, Vancouver) - *Ibrahim Ali (28/now 33) arrested & charged (9/7/18) & indicted (11/25/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
Police used a new & somewhat controversial “DNA dragnet” technique, after collecting DNA at the crime scene that indicated a suspect of Middle Eastern descent. (He is a Syrian refugee who entered Canada 3 months before murder).
Trial began on 3/17/23 with jury selection & ended on 3/23/23.
Trial began on 4/5/23 & continued on 4/11/23. Crown rested their case on 11/17/23. Defense began on 11/20/23 & rested their case.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Lance Bernard presiding. Crown prosecutor Isobel Keeley & Daniel Porte & defense attorney Ben Lynskey & Kevin McCullough.
Jury deliberations Day 1 (12/7/23): probably ~1 hour. Day 2 (12/8/23): a few hours (~3 hours. Total deliberations: ~4 hours. Verdict: Guilty of 1st degree murder.
Case & court info from 1/29/19 thru Trial Days 1-102 (4/28 thru 12/7/23) & Verdict Watch Day 1 (12/7/23) reference post #281 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...irl-13-burnaby-bc-18-july-2017.673539/page-15
12/8/23 Friday, Trial Day 103/Verdict Watch Day 2: The jury came back with its decision minutes after asking the judge to clarify the differences between first- and second-degree murder & manslaughter. Justice Lance Bernard told them murder would mean Ali deliberately caused the girl's death or meant to cause her bodily harm & knew that this was likely to cause death. Bernard said it would qualify as first-degree murder if it happened while Ali committed or attempted to commit a sexual assault against the girl, whose name is protected by a publication ban. A British Columbia Supreme Court jury has found Ibrahim Ali guilty of first-degree murder for the death of a 13-year-old girl. Sentencing hearing on 12/12/23.
12/12/23 Update: And sentenced to an automatic sentence of life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 25 years.