Trials & Sentencings for October, 2022

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, October 24th:
*Jury Selection set to begin-CANCELLED! (State) (@ 9am CT) - MN – George Perry Floyd, Jr. (46) (May 25, 2020, Minneapolis, arrested for forgery & killed in police custody) – for *Tou Thao (34/now 36) & *J. Alexander Kueng (26/now 29) were fired (5/26/20), arrested (6/3/20) & charged (6/4/20) with aiding & abetting 2nd degree murder-unintentional-while committing a felony & aiding & abetting 2nd degree manslaughter-culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk. Bond set at $1M for all or bond conditions @ $750K. Kueng released (6/19/20) on $750K bond with conditions. Thao released (7/4/20) on $750K bond with conditions.
As of 10/7/22 Kueng is in custody at the Elkton, Ohio, federal prison & Thao remains at the federal medical center in Lexington.
Trial was set to begin on 10/24/22 with jury selection, but Kueng plead guilty on 10/24/22 to aiding & abetting 2nd degree manslaughter. Sentencing hearing on 12/9/22. Thao requested a Bench Trial. Judge will have decision in 90 days after 11/17/22 when evidence is submitted.
The jury won't be sequestered except for deliberations, but with security restrictions. (No trial on 11/11 & 11/23-25/22).
Bond conditions & court info from 6/3/20 to 10/11/22 reference post #415 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ody-minneapolis-25-may-2020-21.586952/page-21
10/24/22 Update: Kueng: Was changed to a plea hearing. Kueng agreed Monday, October 24 to enter a guilty plea to aiding & abetting 2nd degree manslaughter. A pre-sentence investigation has been ordered. No further dates available. Kueng accepted a plea deal in which he will plead guilty to aiding & abetting second-degree manslaughter of Floyd & the charge of his aiding & abetting Floyd's murder will be dropped. The deal calls for Kueng to be sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison. Kueng's plea will allow him to serve his state and federal terms concurrently.
Thao: Trial hearing reset as a pretrial hearing & held on record. Thao has elected to have a bench trial. Bail to stand as previously ordered. Thao agreed to a trial by stipulated evidence. Parties have until 11/17/22 to submit the evidence the Judge will consider. The Judge will have 90 days to issue a verdict. The State agreed to drop the aiding & abetting murder charge if he received a conviction at the bench trial. Witnesses won't need to testify again. The presumed sentence if Thao is convicted of the aiding & abetting manslaughter charge will be approximately 48 months.
10/25/22 Update: Kueng: 10/24/22: #643: Order-Pre sentence Investigation. #644: Notice of visual or audio coverage. eService (State 1 & Kueng 4). 10/25/22: #645: Notice of visual or audio coverage. eService (State 2 & Kueng 8). #646: Notice of visual or audio coverage. Sentencing hearing on 12/9/22 @ 8:30am.
*Thomas Kiernan Lane (37/now 39) plead guilty (5/18/22) to a State charge of aiding & abetting 2nd degree manslaughter. As part of Wednesday’s plea deal, Thomas Lane will have a count of aiding & abetting 2nd degree unintentional murder dismissed. Per plea will only serve 3 years in Federal prison currently with his federal sentence of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Sentencing on 9/21/22. Sentenced to 3 years in Federal prison.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, October 26th:
*Trial continues for all (Day 12)-VERDICT REACHED! (Day 2) (State case-Jackson County) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – *Paul Edward Bellar (21/now 24) of Milford arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/20/20) with gang membership, providing material support for terrorism & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Was arrested in Columbia, SC & Michigan attempting to have him extradited to Michigan. $500K Cash Surety Bond. Bond reduced to $75K (12/18/20) with restrictions. Bond @ $150K (3/29/21). Out on bond.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
*Joseph Matthew Morrison (26/now 28) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist acts & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $75K with restrictions.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms. Bond reduced (12/20/21) to $5K Cash/Surety providing he will wear a GPS tether. Out on bond.
*Pete Musico (42/now 44) of Munith arrested & charged (10/7/20) & arraigned (10/9/20) with threat of terrorism (charge was dismissed on 3/29/21), gang membership, providing material support for terrorist act & carrying or possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Bail set at $10M. Bond reduced (12/18/20) to $100K with restrictions. Out of jail.
*Charged (5/17/21) in Circuit Court with terrorist acts-provide MA, gang membership felonies & felony firearms.
Trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection & ended 10/4/22. Trial began on 10/5/22 & ended on 10/21/22. Judge Thomas Wilson presiding. One juror was excused on 10/14/22.
Court info from 10/8/20 thru 8/9/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-2 (10/3 to 10/4/22) & Trial Day 1-11 (10/5 to 10/25/22; no trial on 10/17-10/2/22) & Jury Deliberations Day 1 (10/25/22) reference post #745 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rnor-gretchen-whitmer-oct-2020.546457/page-38
10/26/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 12/Jury Deliberations Day 2: Jury continues deliberations. The Jackson County jury spent about five hours deliberating before coming back with the verdict today. They found Bellar, Morrison & Musico guilty of providing material support to a terrorist, being a member of a gang & a felony weapons charge. The men face up to 42 years in prison, 20 for the charges of providing material support & gang membership and an additional two for a felony weapons charge. The gang membership sentence may run consecutively to other sentences. Sentencing for all three men is scheduled for 12/15/22.
for more info see post #747 & 748 (articles) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...whitmer-oct-2020-4-guilty-2-ng.546457/page-38
Musico & Morrison are founding members of the Wolverine Watchmen. Morrison is considered Watchmen’s “Commander” & is known by the online moniker “Boogaloo Bunyan”.
Accomplices: Eric Molitor, Michael Null, William Null, Shawn Michael Fix & Brian Higgins – all charged with State crimes (Antrium County). Molitor, Null, Null, Fix & Higgins have preliminary hearing on 9/2/22.
Federal Cases: Adam Dean Fox, Barry Croft, Kaleb James Franks, Daniel Joseph Harris, Brandon Caserta. Gerard Garbin plead guilty on 1/27/21 to kidnapping conspiracy & was sentenced on 8/25/21 to 6 years & 3 months in Federal prison. Kaleb James Franks plead guilty (2/7/22) to kidnapping conspiracy. Will testify at trial & will be sentencing afterwards. No sentencing date as of 4/27/22. All charged with Federal crimes; trial to start on 3/8/22 & ended on 4/8/22. Harris & Caserta found not guilty & Fox & Croft resulted in a mistrial. U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge says he will retry Fox & Croft. Re trial began on 8/9/22 & Fox & Croft found guilty. Fox sentencing on 12/12/22 & Croft on 12/28/22.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, October 26th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am ET) – NJ – Paula Chin (65) (reported missing Feb. 4, 2019, Manhattan, NY; found Feb. 5, 2019 in Morristown, NJ) – for *Jared Eng (22/now 26) son arrested (2/5/19), charged (2/7/19) & indicted (2/11/19) with 2nd degree murder, tampering with physical evidence, concealing of a corpse & hindering prosecution. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Court info from 2/7/19 thru 9/7/22 reference post #158 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...rbage-bag-morristown-5-feb-2019.422043/page-8
9/16/22 Update: Eng plead guilty on Friday to 2nd degree murder. Sentencing on 10/18/22. 10/18/22 Update: Sentencing hearing was reset to 10/26/22.
10/26/22 Update: Eng was sentenced to 22 years-to-life in prison for the gruesome crime.
*Caitlyn O’Rourke (21/now 25) – Hearing on 11/9/22.
*Jennifer Lopez (18/now 22) – Hearing on 12/7/22.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, October 26th:
*Trial continues (Day 12)-VERDICT Reached! – Mistrial! (Day 3) (@ 9am CT) – TX – Antonio & Dawn Armstrong (both 42) (July 29, 2016, Houston) – *Antonio “A.J.” Armstrong, Jr. (16 @ time of crime/17/now 22) arrested (7/29/16), charged (8/1/16) & arraigned (7/26/17) with capital murder. Plead not guilty. $200K bond. Out on bond 4/12/17.
Trial started 4/2/19 & ended 4/26/19. 7 women & 5 men on jury with 1 woman alternate (Juror #12 excused 4/5/19). 4/26/19: after 20 hours of deliberations verdict was 8 Guilty & 4 Not guilty. Judge declares mistrial.
Re-trial began on 10/3/22 with jury selection which is expected to last about 3 days. Opening statements expect to start on 10/11/22. (Trial should last until 11/4/22). Prosecution rested their case on 10/19/22. Defense started their case on 10/20/22 & rested their case on 10/21/22. Jurors will be sequestered during deliberations. Started deliberations on 10/24/22: ~4 hours total. 10/25/22: ~8 hours. Total: ~12 hours. 10/26/22: ~6 hours (9a-5p). Total: ~18 hours.
Faces life in prison, with eligibility for parole after 40 years if convicted.
Court info from 12/11/19 thru 9/19/22& Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/3 & 10/7/22) & Trial Day 1-11 (10/11 to 10/25/22) & Deliberations Day 1-2 (10/24 to 10/25/22) reference post #320 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-16
10/26/22 Wednesday, Trial Day 12/Jury Deliberations Day 3: Jury continues deliberations. Started at 9am. Judge Kelli Johnson warned the indecisive jurors Wednesday that they were on the verge of a mistrial & to get back to work on reaching a verdict. But after about 18 hours of deliberating & two nights of being sequestered at a Houston hotel with television-less rooms, no conclusion could be made if Antonio Armstrong Jr. was responsible for killing his parents as they slept. Four jurors believed Armstrong Jr. guilty, while eight believed him by no means innocent but they were unable to shake the doubt incited by the defense — a deadlock that led to tension in the jury room & a flurry of questions to the court. Judge Johnson declared a mistrial. District Attorney Kim Ogg made no hint if a third trial would be sought. Armstrong Jr.’s hired attorney, Rick DeToto, urged the charge to be dropped.
For more info see post #322 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...l-2016-mistrial-retrial-1-6-20.313665/page-17
Next pretrial motions hearing on 1/4/23 & jury trial on 2/24/23 per court site.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, October 26th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9am ET) – AL – Oralia Mendoza (49) (missing June 4, 2018, Huntsville, found June 15, 2018) & granddaughter Mariah Feit Lopez (13) (missing June 4, 2018, Huntsville, found June 7, 2018) - for *Isreal Gonzalez Palomino (34/now 38) arrested & charged (6/14/18) & indicted (10/29/19) with 2 counts of capital murder & drug possession. Held without bond. Offered plea deal (9/7/22): reduce charge of capital murder to 2 counts of murder.
Green card holder. Originally arrested on possession of drugs.
Trial was set to begin on 9/26/22 continued on 12/5/22. Agreed to plea deal reducing his charge from capital murder to 2 counts of murder.
Court info from 7/16/18 thru 9/23/22 reference post #125 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...ez-13-madison-county-7-jun-2018.376922/page-7
10/12/22 Update: The plea hearing for Palomino is now set for 10/26/22. The hearing was requested by the defense three weeks ago after a plea offer lowering the charge from capital murder to murder was made by prosecutors in early September. Madison County Circuit Judge Ruth Ann Hall issued the plea hearing order Tuesday.
10/26/22 Update: On Wednesday Palomino entered his plea in the Madison County Courthouse. He was facing two counts of capital murder until the defense offered a plea deal, allowing Palomino to plead guilty to the lesser charge of murder. Prosecutors had announced plans to seek the death penalty against Palomino, but the plea agreement to the lesser charge of murder took that off the table. Murder charges in Alabama can carry a sentence between 20 years & life in prison. Palomino was immediately sentenced to life in prison on both counts, meaning he will serve two life sentences in the Alabama Dept. of Corrections, running concurrently.
*Yoni Martinez-Aguilar (26/now 30) – Status hearing on 9/1/22. Trial set to begin on 5/1/23.
LE says might have connection to Sinaloa drug cartel. Yoni said he had to kill Mariah as she saw him murder Oralia; YA says Palomino killed Oralia.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, October 27th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 10am MT) – NM – Victoria Martens (10) (Aug. 23, 2016, Albuquerque) – *Fabian Elias Gonzales (33/now 38) (“mom’s” BF) arrested & charged (9/9/16), indicted (9/10/16) & arraigned (9/16/16) with 1 count of intentional abuse of a child resulting in death, 8 counts of tampering with evidence (1 count dismissed 7/14/22), 1 count of intentional child abuse & 1 count of conspiracy to commit intentional child abuse & 1 count of conspiracy to commit tampering with evidence. Plead not guilty. $1M cash only bond.
Trial began on 7/11/22 with jury selection & ended on 7/12/22. Trial began on 7/13/22 & ended on 7/29/22 with closing arguments. Jury start deliberations on 8/1/22 & after less than 4 hours of deliberations found Gonzales guilty on all nine charges. Sentencing hearing on 10/27/22.
Court information from 6/30/18 thru 7/7/22 & Jury Selection (Day 1-2) 7/11 & 7/12/22 & Trial (Day 1-14) 7/13-8/1/22 & thru 8/12/22 reference post #927 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...lbuquerque-23-aug-2016-arrests.315539/page-47
8/18/22 Update: 8/18/22 Update: Order sealing exhibits. 8/18/22 Update: Sentencing hearing on 10/27/22.
10/27/22 Update: Gonzales has been sentenced to 37.5 years behind bars, the maximum sentence, for his role in the death of Victoria Martens. The sentence, 37.5 years, is for allowing Victoria’s death to happen, dismembering the body & trying to cover up the crime. But, with good time, Gonzales might only have to serve half of that sentence. Thursday, Judge Cindy Leos ruled that two of the tampering charges might present double jeopardy, so she combined those into one sentence to avoid legal issues, which resulted in 37.5 years. With good time * nearly four years of credit time served, Gonzales could be out in 17 years. Thursday morning in court, the state asked Judge Cindy Leos to classify the child abuse charge as a serious violent offense saying without Fabian, Victoria would still be alive today. That destination would ensure that he has to serve at least 85% of that sentence instead of 50%. Judge Cindy Leos also felt the state failed to meet the burden of proof that Gonzales acted violently, pointing to the fact that he was not in the apartment at the time of the murder. Gonzales’s attorney argued that he has turned his life around & deserved a lesser sentence. They also asked that he get credit for time served while on an ankle monitor. However, the judge denied that request. Judge Cindy Leos said his life on that monitor was not restrictive enough to meet the pre-sentence confinement requirement.
*Jessica Rosalie Kelley (33/now 38) (cousin of FG) – plead no contest (1/7/19) to reckless abuse of a child resulting in death, 3 counts of tampering with evidence, 1 count of aggravated battery & 1 count of conspiracy. Sentenced on 4/28/22 to 50 years with 6 years suspended. Once Kelley is released from prison, she will be on probation for 5 years. Testified at Gonzales’ trial.
*Michelle Martens (37/now 42) (“mom”) – plead guilty (6/29/18) to 1 count of intentional abuse of child resulting in death, with all other charges dropped. Will testify against Gonzales & will be sentenced after that case is over. Faces up to 12-15 years in prison. Sentencing hearing on 10/27/22 was cancelled & rescheduled on 11/10/22.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, October 31st. - See November Trials & Sentencings for the rest of the week.

Monday, October 31st:
*Plea Hearing (all charges) (@ 8:30am ET) – PA - *Jasmine Jean (4) & Nicole Elisabeth (6) Snyder (missing/last seen since Sept. 2015 & found Nov. 6 & 7, 2021 buried in Williamsport City, Lycoming County; Jasmine: died/was killed on around Aug. 11, 2017 & subsequently buried in 2017 & Nicole: died/was killed around May 10, 2016 & subsequently buried in 2016, both in the back yard on Livermore Rd.) - *Marie Sue Snyder (27 @ time of first crime/32/now 33) “mom” arrested & charged (11/5/21) & recharged & arraigned (1/7/22) with 2 counts of murder, 2 counts endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, concealing the death of a child, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, abuse of corpse, obstruction in child abuse cases, tampering with evidence & charged (6/16/22) with 3rd degree felony theft by deception & fraud to obtain food stamps and/or assistance ($69,866.27). Bond denied on murder, reason: flight risk & danger to society. Bond @ $10K on theft/fraud charges. Plead guilty to these charges of fraud. For murder charge: DA might seek the DP, but if she cooperates, will take DP off the table.
Case info, Affidavit & court info from 11/6/21 to 6/20/22 reference post #142 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...lycoming-co-10-sep-2021-arrests.600153/page-8
6/27/22 Update: Fraud & Deception: Next hearing on 8/19/22.
7/18/22 Update: Snyder: Murder: Arraignment hearing was rescheduled on 10/17/22 has her attorney wanted more time to review the discovery provided so far.
8/19/22 Update: Fraud & Deception: Plead guilty. Sentencing on 11/29/22 @ 9am. Sentencing changed to 10/31/22.
10/12/22 Update: Marie Sue Snyder is scheduled to plead guilty on 10/31/22 to 2 counts of 1st degree murder & be sentenced to consecutive life sentences, her attorney, chief public defender Nicole Spring, said Wednesday. The plea also encompasses a second case in which she is charged with making false statements & theft by deception, Spring said. Sentencing on 10/31/22.
*Echo Lane Butler (21 @ time of first crime/26/now 27) – Pretrial hearing on 12/13/22.
*Michele Lee Butler (43 @ time of first crime/48/now 49) (mother of Echo) – Plead guilty (4/11/22) & sentencing hearing on 12/5/22.
*Ronald Ray Butler (53/now 54) (father of Echo) – Pretrial hearing on 12/13/22.

*Hearing (@ 8:30am) & Jury Selection begins (@ 9:15am ET) – FL - Christine Franke (25) (Oct. 21, 2001, Orlando, shot in head) - *Benjamin Lee Holmes, Jr. (21 @ time of crime/38/now 42) arrested (11/2/18), charged (11/21/18) & arraigned (12/10/18) with 1st degree murder (with a firearm) & 1st degree robbery with a firearm. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Parabon NanoLabs Snapshot DNA Phenotyping & GEDMatch.
Trial was set to begin on 10/10/22 continued on 10/31/22 with jury selection & trial to begin on 11/7/22. (at least 3 weeks).
Court hearings from 11/6/18 thru 9/21/22 reference post #92 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...do-shot-in-head-21-oct-2001-dna.397627/page-5
9/22/22 Update: Daubert hearing held. State's Motion to Exclude. Court took under advisement. Court orders defense counsel to produce J. Jones for deposition as stated on the record. Defense witness J. Johnson sworn & testified. State's Motion to Continue trial-granted over objection by defense attorney. Next trial management conference on 10/12/22 @ 8:30am & trial now will begin on 10/31/22 @ 9:15am. 10/11/22: Notice of Provision of witness list.
10/14/22: Notice of supplemental discovery. Notice of Intent: to reply upon an image, map, location distance, calculation or other information taken from a widely accepted web mapping service, Global Satellite Imaging site or internet mapping tool. 10/19/22: Notice of supplemental discovery. 10/21/22: Order Granting State's motion to exclude expert testimony. Next hearing on 10/31/22 @ 8:30am & jury selection starts @ 9:15am. Trial begins on 11/7/22.

*Trial continues (Day 16)/Jury Deliberations (Day 2)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 9:30am MT) – CO – Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) (went missing on Dec 20, 1984 after entering her home at 8pm, Greeley, found July 23, 2019 by construction workers at an oil & gas site in rural part of Weld County near County Road 49 & County Road 34½) – *Steven Dana Pankey (33 @ time of crime/69/now 71) indicted (10/9/20), arrested & charged (10/12/20 in Meridian, ID.) with 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1st degree felony murder, 2nd degree kidnapping, with sentence enhancers for using a weapon in a violent crime & 2 counts of crime of violence. Plead not guilty. $5M cash-only bond. Bond reduction denied (11/8/21).
Mistrial declared for counts 1 thru 3. Guilty on count 4, false reporting to authorities.
Re-Trial began on 10/4/22 & ended 10/6/22 with jury selection. Trial began on 10/7/22. (thru 11/4/22) all @ 8:30a State rested their case on 10/26/22. Defense started their case on 10/27/22 & rested on 10/27/22. Jury began deliberations (10/28/22).
Info on warrant. First trial info & court info from 8/18/20 thru 9/29/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/4 to 10/6/22) & Trial Day 1-14 (10/7 to 10/27/22) (no trial on 10/21/22) reference post #231 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...eley-20-dec-1984-arrest-2020-2.595001/page-12
10/28/22 Friday, Trial Day 15/Jury Deliberations Day 1: Closing arguments by asst. DA Robb Miller & defense attorney Jessica Brazil. Jury instructions given. Jury started deliberations early afternoon. (~1pm to 5pm).
For more info see post #233 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...eley-20-dec-1984-arrest-2020-2.595001/page-12
Trial continues with jury deliberations on Monday, 10/31/22.

*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 10am PT) – CA – Michelle Lozano (17) (found Apr. 25, 2011 along side Golden State (5) Freeway near State St. in Boyle Heights & dumped over a masonry barrier along the freeway, Los Angeles County) & Bree’Anna Guzman (22) (missing Dec. 26, 2011, Los Angeles, found Jan. 26, 2012 near the Riverside Drive onramp to the southbound Glendale (2) Freeway in the Silver Lake area. The body was apparently was dumped at the location, Los Angeles County) – *Geovanni Borjas (24 @ time of 1st crime/33/now 37) charged (2/15/18) & arraigned (5/30/18) with 2 counts of murder, forcible rape & 1 count of kidnapping (for Guzman). (Murder charges include the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, murder during the commission of a rape involving both victims & murder during the commission of a kidnapping involving Guzman). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
DNA search matched familial DNA.
Trial began on 10/17/22 for jury selection thru 10/19/22 & trial began on 10/24/22.
Court info from 9/27/18 thru 10/3/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/17 to 10/19/22) & Trial Day 1-3 (10/24 to 10/27/22) no trial on 10/25/22 reference post #121 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...urdered-los-angeles-2011-arrest.158698/page-7
10/28/22 Friday, Trial Day 4: No info available. Trial continues on Monday, 10/31/22.

*Trial continues (Day 33) (@ 9am ET) - OH - Pike County 8 people dead: Christopher Rhoden, Sr. (40), his ex-wife, Dana Manley Rhoden (37), their three children, Clarence "Frankie" Rhoden (20), Christopher Jr. (16), Hanna Mae (19); Frankie's fiancée, Hannah Hazel Gilley (20), Christopher Rhoden Sr.'s brother, Kenneth Rhoden (44), & a cousin, Gary Rhoden (37). Hanna Rhoden's baby girl (5 days old), another baby (6 mos.) & a young child (3) were unharmed. (April 21-22, 2016, Pebbles) – for *George Washington Wagner IV (27/now 31) (Jakes’ bro) indicted (11/12/18), arrested (11/13/18), charged (11/15/18) & arraigned (11/28/18) with 8 counts aggravated murder, (plus gun specifications on each), 1 count of 1st degree conspiracy, 4 counts of 1st degree aggravated burglary, 1 count of 5th degree unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, 3 counts of 3rd degree evidence tampering, 1 count of 5th degree forgery, 1 count of 5th degree unauthorized use of computer or telecommunications, 1 count of 4th degree interception of wire, oral or electronic communication, 1 count of 5th degree obstructing justice, & 1 count of 1st degree engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will seek the DP. Per Jake’s plea agreement, DP is off the table only for Jake if his testimony is truthful. But George still faces the DP as he did not take a deal.
Trial began on 8/29/22 with final jury selection & the jury was seated on 8/30/22. 12 Jurors & 6 alternates. Jury: (9 women & 3 men) & 6 alternates: (5 women & 1 man). 9/30/22: Ill juror replaced with alternate. 12 jurors & 5 alternates. Jury: (9 women & 3 men) & 5 alternates (4 women & 1 man).
Trial began with opening statements began on Monday, 9/12/22. (Trial is scheduled for 8 to 9 weeks (56-63 days).
Crime info & court hearings from 11/28/18 thru 9/6/22 & Trial Day 1-31 (9/12 to 10/26/22) no court on 10/27/22 reference post #882 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-80.641348/page-45
Docket updates: 10/14/22: Subpoena issued to Barbara Moore 7 Brittany Coon. 10/17/22: Motion #113 defendant's motion for cautionary instruction filed by Nash & Parker. 10/18/22 Subpoena issued to Shawn Floyd, FCSO. 10/21/22: Motion & order for sealing filed. Request for Court paid expert expenses (sealed per court order). Subpoena issued to Elizabeth Armer. 10/25/22 Return of service of Subpoena to Elizabeth Armer-served 10/21/22. 10/25/22 Withdrawal of defendant's Motion 112 filed. #112: Defendant's motion to allow witness to testify remotely. 10/26/22: Subpoena issued to Gregory W. Myers & William J. Mooney (Jake's attorneys). 10/27/22: Subpoena issued on Gregory W. Myers.
10/28/22 Update: Jake's lawyers filed Motion to Quash subpoena for their notes citing attorney/client privilege. Hearing was held in chambers. Motion to quash subpoena-granted.
10/28/22 Friday, Trial Day 32: State witness: Defense attorney John Parker on cross examination of Edward Jacob “Jake” Wagner, brother of George. Opted out on audio & video.
For more info see posts #926, 929 & 937 (Motion to Quash) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-80.641348/page-47
For more info see posts #987, 988, 993, 998 & 1000 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...bers-wagner-family-arrested-80.641348/page-50
for more info see posts #19 & 20 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...e-4-members-wagner-family-arrested-81.641769/
Defense attorney John Parker on cross examination & redirect by Angela Canepa & re-cross of Edward Jacob “Jake” Wagner.
For more info see posts #70 & 80 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...mbers-wagner-family-arrested-81.641769/page-4
Also, at the end of the day, Wagner's attorney asked for the death specifications to be removed from his aggravated murder charges. Prosecutor says they will discuss that but not in a public forum. Trial continues on Monday, 10/31/22.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, October 31st:
*Trial continues (Day 16)/Jury Deliberations (Day 2)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 9:30am MT) – CO – Jonelle Renee Matthews (12) (went missing on Dec 20, 1984 after entering her home at 8pm, Greeley, found July 23, 2019 by construction workers at an oil & gas site in rural part of Weld County near County Road 49 & County Road 34½) – *Steven Dana Pankey (33 @ time of crime/69/now 71) indicted (10/9/20), arrested & charged (10/12/20 in Meridian, ID.) with 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1st degree felony murder, 2nd degree kidnapping, with sentence enhancers for using a weapon in a violent crime & 2 counts of crime of violence. Plead not guilty. $5M cash-only bond. Bond reduction denied (11/8/21).
Mistrial declared for counts 1 thru 3. Guilty on count 4, false reporting to authorities.
Re-Trial began on 10/4/22 & ended 10/6/22 with jury selection. Trial began on 10/7/22. (thru 11/4/22) all @ 8:30a State rested their case on 10/26/22. Defense started their case on 10/27/22 & rested on 10/27/22. Jury began deliberations (10/28/22) ~1pm to 5pm. Total: ~4 hours. 10/31/22: 8:30am to ~11am. ~1 ½ hours. Total: 5 ½ hours deliberations.
Info on warrant. First trial info & court info from 8/18/20 thru 9/29/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/4 to 10/6/22) & Trial Day 1-15 (10/7 to 10/228/22) (no trial on 10/21/22) & Jury Deliberations Day 1 (10/28/22) reference post #235 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...eley-20-dec-1984-arrest-2020-2.595001/page-12
10/31/22 Monday, Trial Day 16/Jury Deliberations Day 2: Jury continues deliberations @ 8:30am to ~11am. The jury found Pankey guilty of felony murder (class 1 felony), second-degree kidnapping with a deadly weapon (class 3 felony) & false reporting to authorities (class 3 misdemeanor). The jury found Pankey not guilty of first-degree murder after deliberations. He is scheduled to be sentenced Monday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. n. possibility of parole.
For more info see post #236 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...eley-20-dec-1984-arrest-2020-2.595001/page-12
Pankey was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years for second-degree kidnapping with use of a deadly weapon & felony murder. He was credited for time already served in prison for the charge of false reporting to authorities, which Pankey was first found guilty of in his trial last year.
For more info see post #241 (article) here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/...eley-20-dec-1984-arrest-2020-2.595001/page-13

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, October 31st:
*Trial continues (Day 5)-Ended! (@ 10am PT) – CA – Michelle Lozano (17) (found Apr. 25, 2011 alongside Golden State (5) Freeway near State St. in Boyle Heights & dumped over a masonry barrier along the freeway, Los Angeles County) & Bree’Anna Guzman (22) (missing Dec. 26, 2011, Los Angeles, found Jan. 26, 2012 near the Riverside Drive onramp to the southbound Glendale (2) Freeway in the Silver Lake area. The body was apparently was dumped at the location, Los Angeles County) – *Geovanni Borjas (24 @ time of 1st crime/33/now 37) charged (2/15/18) & arraigned (5/30/18) with 2 counts of murder, forcible rape & 1 count of kidnapping (for Guzman). (Murder charges include the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, murder during the commission of a rape involving both victims & murder during the commission of a kidnapping involving Guzman). Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
DNA search matched familial DNA.
Trial began on 10/17/22 for jury selection thru 10/19/22 & trial began on 10/24/22 & ended on 10/31/22 with a plea of no contest (guilty) to all charges.
Court info from 9/27/18 thru 10/3/22 & Jury Selection Day 1-3 (10/17 to 10/19/22) & Trial Day 1-4 (10/24 to 10/31/22) no trial on 10/25/22 & on 10/28/22 reference post #121 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...urdered-los-angeles-2011-arrest.158698/page-7
10/31/22 Monday, Trial Day 4: In the midst of his trial, Borjas plead no contest (guilty) Monday to raping & murdering a teenage girl & a young woman about eight months apart in 2011, opening himself to a sentence of life behind bars without parole. Borjas plead no contest to 2 counts each of first-degree murder & forcible rape, along with a single count of kidnapping to commit rape. He also admitted special circumstance allegations of multiple murders & murder during the commission of a rape. He is scheduled to be sentenced on 12/12/22.