Trials & Sentencings set to begin in August, 2021

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 2nd thru Friday, August 6th:

Monday, August 2nd:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am CT) – ND – Lois Ann Cobbs (45), employee; William Dee “Bill” Cobbs, Jr. (50), employee; Adam Fuehrer (42), employee; Robert John Fakler (52) co-owner (April 1, 2019, at RJR Maint. & Mgmt business, Mandan) - *Chad Trolon Isaak (44/now 47) arrested (4/4/19), charged (4/5/19) & arraigned (5/9/19) with 4 counts of murder (Felony AA), 1 count of burglary (Felony B), 1 count of concealment within a vehicle (Felony C) & 1 count of unauthorized use of vehicle (misdemeanor). Plead not guilty. $1M Cash only bond.
Trial set to begin on 8/2/21 with jury selection (to take 2 days) (8/2/21 to 8/6 & 8/9 to 8/13 & 8/16 to 8/20/21). 12 jurors & 2 alternates.
Court info from 4/5/19 thru 5/10/21 reference post #456 here:
ND - Several bodies found at Mandan business, 1 April 2019 *Arrest* #2
5/11/21: Order on expedited motion to withdraw as counsel. Notice of scheduling change-amended trial date & remote hearing amended pretrial conference on 5/28/21 rescheduled to 7/16/21 via Zoom @ 8:30am. Trial is set to begin on 8/2/21 (8/2-8/6, 8/9-8/13, 8/16-20).
7/16/21 Update: Isaak told Judge he could represent himself, but the Judge disagreed. Luke Heck, Bruce Quick, Drew Hushka & Mark Friese are Isaak’s new retained attorneys. A previous defense motion to move the trial out of Morton County for publicity reasons was denied in the case. The trial will be in Morton County. Jury selection is expected to take two days for the 12 person jury with 2 alternates. The trial is scheduled to last three weeks, and no final witness list has been released. The expectations are for up to 150 witnesses to be called. Isaak will be allowed to wear civilian clothes during the trial with no visible restraints. The trial starts August 2nd with jury selection & opening statements on 8/4/21.

*Trial continues (Day 4) (Arapahoe Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial set to begin on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial to start on 7/27/21 (will last 3 weeks thru 8/17/21).
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/23/21 to 7/26/21 & Trial (Day 1-2) 7/27/21 to 7/28/21 reference post #305 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
7/29/21 Thursday, Trial Day 3: State witnesses: Gary Klepper, crime scene investigator, retired. Chery Lettin, Patricia Smith's daughter recounted the events of Jan. 10, 1984. During her testimony, jurors saw crime scene photos. Jeanne Kilmer, a forensic serologist who was working at the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 1984. No other info yet available. Trial continues on 7/30/21.
7/30/21 Friday, Trial Day 4: State witness: Jeanne Kilmer, a forensic serologist (CBI) in 1984. Police detective Marvin Brandt, who was called to the Bennett home the day the bodies were discovered & later served as the lead detective on the case. No other info available. Trial continues on Monday, 8/2/21.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood, Jefferson County) - Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 thru 11/15/21.

*Trial continues (Day 37) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/72/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19/20. Trial started on 3/4/20. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 11 alternates. (1 alternate excused on 5/18/21) Now 10 alternates. (1 juror (#3) excused for medical reasons on 7/8/21). Now 9 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). Trial stopped 3/16/20 due COVID-19 & will restart on 7/27/20 & retrial was to restart on 4/12/21 continued to 5/17/21 continued to 5/18/21. No court on Fridays.
State will wrap up their case on Thursday (7/29/21). Defense has 2, possibly 3 witnesses (one is the defendant) & thinks 2 weeks for their case & will begin their case on 8/3/21.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-6 (3/4/20 thru 3/12/20) & Court info from 3/16/20 thru 5/12/21 & Trial Days 1-35 (5/18/21 thru 7/28/21) reference post #453 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
7/29/21 Thursday, Trial Day 36: This morning the defense argued for a mistrial stating Durst's health will not allow him to testify & he has the right to testify. They had a doctor testify. Defense Direct - Dr. Keith Klein –re Durst health issues. Motion for Mistrial! Judge Windham is taking it under advisement. Trial continues on Monday, 8/2/21.


Thursday, August 5th:
*Sentencing Hearing for both (re murder for Gage) (@ 9am MT) – CO – Amy Garcia (41) (Dec. 20, 2018, Walsenburg, Huerfano County; gf of Heith) – *Gage Gleason (12/now 14) arrested (12/21/18 in Santa Fe, NM) & charged (12/20/18) with 1st degree murder. Extradited out of New Mexico (1/1/19).
Murder was trial set to begin on 7/22/21 (thru 8/6/21) was cancelled due to plea deal; Trial re wrongful death suit was set to begin on 4/14/21 but was cancelled.
Court hearings from 12/31/18 thru 1/15/21 reference post #162 here:
CO - Amy Garcia, 41, shot & burned by man and 12 y.o. son, Huerfano Co, Dec 2018 *Arrests*
2/16/21 Update: Murder: Trial date has been set from 7/22/21 thru 8/6/21. Next status conference hearing on 4/8/21.
3/5/21 Update: Wrongful Death suit: Pretrial readiness conference hearing on 3/10/21 has been cancelled. Next Setting hearing on 3/17/21. Trial set to begin on 4/14/21. 3/17/21 Update: Next pretrial readiness conference hearing on 3/31/21. Wrongful death suit no longer on court site.
4/8/21 Update: Murder: Next motions hearing on 6/29/21. 6/24/21 Update: Plea deal reached (no details), sentencing hearing on 8/5/21 @ 9am.
*Kasey Gleason () – charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
2/16/21: Status conference hearing on 4/8/21 & trial set to begin on 7/22/21. 4/8/21 Update: Next motions hearing on 6/29/21. 6/24/21 Update: Plea deal reached (no details), sentencing hearing on 8/5/21 @ 9am.
*Heith Gleason (35) – 6/18/19: Murder: Plead guilty was sentenced to 42 years in prison. 1/19/21 Update: Wrongful Death suit: Trial was set to begin on 4/14/21, but was cancelled.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, August 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 9)-VERDICT REACHED! (Arapahoe Co) (@ 8:30am MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial began on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial started on 7/27/21. State rested their case on 8/3/21. Defense rested their case on 8/5/21. Jurors: 6 women & 6 men. Jurors deliberated for ~4 hours on 8/5/21 & 5 hours on 8/5/21 returned with a verdict of guilty on all counts.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/23/21 to 7/26/21 & Trial (Day 1-7) 7/27/21 to 8/4/21 reference post #317 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
8/5/21 Thursday, Trial Day 8: Defense rested their case. DA John Kellner gave closing arguments for State & Stephen McCrohan gave closing for defense. And prosecutor Garrik Storgaard gave rebuttal closing. Jury went to deliberations. After several hours of deliberations the jury told the Judge they were at an impasse. The judge said it was too early to declare a mistrial & sent jurors home for the night. They will continue deliberations at 8:30am on Friday, 8/6/21.
8/6/21 Friday, Trial Day 9: Jurors deliberated for another 5 hours & returned with a verdict. Ewing found guilty on all counts. Ewing faces life with parole possible after 20 years. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood, Jefferson County) - Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 thru 11/15/21.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 9th thru Friday, August 13th:

Monday, August 9th:
*Trial set to begin with Jury Selection (all charges) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 41) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
Jury selection as set to begin on 7/20/20 was cancelled due to COVID-19 & rescheduled on 8/9/21. Will be 12 jurors & 3 alternates.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 4/7/21 reference post #516 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
8/6/21 Update: The court finished up their criminal pretrial motions Friday morning in the case against Howard. Of the motions discussed in court Friday, the defense asked the judge for redactions to Howard's statement. The judge denied the motion. The state plans to play Howard's interrogation video in full which the defense acknowledged is over three hours long. Jury selection begins on 8/9/21. There are 125 people up for jury selection, 12 jurors and three alternates. Opening statements are slated for Tuesday and Judge Bergosh says he hopes to wrap up the trial by Friday .Trial set to begin on 8/9/21 for all charges with jury selection.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
8/6/21 Update: see above. Trial begins with jury selection on 8/9/21.

*Trial set to begin (@ 1:30pm ET) - PA – Nichole Pumphrey (31), her daughter, Ameriah Emery (10) & Lawrence Cannon (31) possibly BF (Oct. 16, 2018, New Castle) – for *Anthony Lavon “Mook” Cooper, Jr. (19/now 22) arrested (10/29/18), charged (10/19/18) & arraigned (11/13/18) with 3 counts of criminal homicide, 3 counts of criminal conspiracy, 1 count of attempted murder & 1 count of carrying firearms without a license. Plead not guilty. Bail denied.
Trial set to begin on 8/9/21.
Court info from 12/7/20 thru 5/3/21 reference post #266 here:
PA - Three bodies found in New Castle Home, 16 Oct 2018 *Arrests*
7/6/21 Update: Trial has been continued to 8/9/21.
*Steven Procopio (19/now 20) – Next omnibus pretrial motions hearing reset to 10/7/21. Trial is now set to begin on 11/1/21.
*Jody Lynn Hammer - 4/1/19: All charges are dismissed.

*Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 8:30am CT) – ND – Lois Ann Cobbs (45), employee; William Dee “Bill” Cobbs, Jr. (50), employee; Adam Fuehrer (42), employee; Robert John Fakler (52) co-owner (April 1, 2019, at RJR Maint. & Mgmt business, Mandan) - *Chad Trolon Isaak (44/now 47) arrested (4/4/19), charged (4/5/19) & arraigned (5/9/19) with 4 counts of murder (Felony AA), 1 count of burglary (Felony B), 1 count of concealment within a vehicle (Felony C) & 1 count of unauthorized use of vehicle (misdemeanor A). Plead not guilty. $1M Cash only bond.
Trial began on 8/2/21 with jury selection & ended 8/3/21 & trial began on 8/4/21. (8/2/21 to 8/6 & 8/9 to 8/13 & 8/16 to 8/20/21). 12 jurors & 2 alternates. 6 men & 6 women make up the jury with 1 man & 1 woman serving as alternates. Judge David Reich does not intend to sequester jurors.
Court info from 4/5/19 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 8/2/21-8/3/21 & Trial (Day 1-2) 8/4/21-8/5/21 reference post #540 here:
ND - Several bodies found at Mandan business, 1 April 2019 *Arrest* #2
8/6/21 Friday, Trial Day 3: Prosecution and defense attorneys are going over some trial housekeeping matters before testimony resumes in the trial.
State witnesses: Joe Arenz, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. He was the case agent, which means he oversaw the processing of the crime scene & delegated investigative assignments as needed. Andrew Tryhus, Morton County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Tryhus was tasked with identifying the people standing outside the building & see if any of them were in the building over the weekend. Don Eliason, RJR Maintenance & Management employee. Noticed William Cobb’s vehicle was missing from the parking lot. Bruce Dintleman, former Indigo Signs employee, testified he told law enforcement he saw nothing unusual that morning. Nathan Helm, Indigo Signs employee. Dan Poppe, Mandan Police Department sergeant. Was called in to help crime scene support at RJR on April 1, 2019. He was then assigned to go to Indigo Signs to assist officers on that scene. He was asked to guard the RJR vehicle in the Indigo Signs parking lot until he was relieved. Troy Kelly, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. Tasked with taking outside photos at the RJR building. Also tasked with processing the RJR pickup parked at Indigo Signs. Showed jurors details in photos he took of the RJR truck found parked at Indigo Signs on April 1, 2019. Later on April 1, the vehicle was transferred to a BCI garage. On April 2, 2019, Kelly continued processing the vehicle. Pat Lenertz, Bureau of Criminal Investigation. Lenertz also testified on August 5. Lenertz helped process the RJR pickup found at Indigo Signs on April 2, 2019, for trace evidence. Talks about the process for collecting evidence from the truck. Trial continues on Monday, 8/9/21.

*Trial continues (Day 40) (@ 11am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/72/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19/20. Trial started on 3/4/20. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 11 alternates. (1 alternate excused on 5/18/21) Now 10 alternates. (1 juror (#3) excused for medical reasons on 7/8/21). Now 9 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). Trial stopped 3/16/20 due COVID-19 & will restart on 7/27/20 & retrial was to restart on 4/12/21 continued to 5/17/21 continued to 5/18/21. No court on Fridays.
State rested their case on Tuesday (8/3/21). Defense has 2, possibly 3 witnesses (one is the defendant) & thinks 2 weeks for their case & will begin their case on 8/3/21 afternoon. Judge Windham denies the defense motion for mistrial based on their client's health & inability to testify on 8/2/21. Judge denies defense motion for judgment of acquittal.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-6 (3/4/20 thru 3/12/20) & Court info from 3/16/20 thru 5/12/21 & Trial Days 1-38 (5/18/21 thru 8/4/21) reference post #480 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
8/5/21 Thursday, Trial Day 39: Defense witness: Dr. Elizabeth Loftus, memory expert back on stand. Reported that someone who had recently been inside the courtroom has tested positive for Covid. Trial halted until at least Monday, 8/9/21 at 11am. The defense memory expert will be back on the stand.


Tuesday, August 10th:
*Sentencing Hearing (murder & child abuse charges) (@ 9am ET) – VA – Stephen Dale Meek II (2) (Jan. 11, 2019, Christiansburg; sexually abused & blunt force trauma, died Jan. 13, 2019) – for *McKenzie Kyle Hellman (25/now 26) (BF) arrested (1/13/19) & charged (1/17/19) & indicted (1/28/20) with 2nd degree felony murder (accidental), 2 counts aggravated sexual battery, inanimate sexual penetration, accessory to forcible sodomy, possession of child & 2 counts of accessory before the fact to produce, distribution & possession of child . Held without bond.
Trial began on 3/15/21-Jury found him guilty of all 5 charges: producing child , reproducing child , animate object sexual penetration, producing child & forcible sodomy. Sentencing on 6/29/21 to 2 life sentences.
Trial for murder & child abuse was set to begin on 8/10/21 (thru 8/11/21) was cancelled, plead guilty (7/26/21).
Court info from 2/28/19 thru 3/15/21 reference post #104 here:
GUILTY - VA - Steven Dale Meek II, 2, sexually abused, died of brutal trauma, Jan 11 2019 *arrests*
3/16/21 Update: The 2nd degree murder & child abuse charges will be tried later. 4/22/21 Update: Murder & child abuse: next hearing via video on 4/26/21. 4/26/21 Update: Hearing via video. Trial for murder & child abuse has been set to begin on 8/10/21 thru 8/11/21. Waiver of two Judge rule.
7/26/21 Update: Hellman plead guilty to 2nd degree murder & child abuse. Sentencing on 8/10/21.
*Kayla Nicole Thomas (25/now 27) “mom” – Trial to begin on 6/9 thru 6/11/21. Found guilty on all 4 charges, sentencing on 9/23/21.


Wednesday, August 11th:
*Trial set to begin (for Janet’s case) (@ 9am PT) - CA – Janet Ann Taylor (21) (March 24, 1974, from La Honda; found March 25, 1974 in Stanford, Palo Alto) - *John Arthur Getreu (29 @ time of crime/74/now 75) charged (5/10/19) & arraigned (11/20/19) with 1 count of felony murder, enhanced GBI/torture, enhanced serious felony & enhanced special allegation prior acts. Plead not guilty. $10M bond.
DNA submitted to Parabon Nanolabs-match
Trial set to begin on 8/11/21.
Court info from 5/10/19 thru 5/28/21 reference post #166 here:
CA - Leslie Perlov, 20, Palo Alto, 1973 & Janet Taylor, 21, Stanford, 1974, murdered, *Arrest 2018**
6/1/21: Order from the Court of Appeal directing the Superior Court. Comment: to take action. "Petition for review is denied." filed 5/26/21. The stay previously issued by this court is dissolved. Next motions hearing on 7/27/21. 7/19/21: Defense motion to admit evidence regarding 3rd party suspect (Andrew Jefferson). Defense Motion in Limine to exclude specified evidence (victim self defense character, photos in defendant's wallet). 7/23/21: Motion in Limine filed re defendant‘s marital communications (Susan Cammarota). 7/26/21: Motion in Limine #19: People's Motion to exclude evidence of "3rd party liability" (Andrew Jefferson). Order on media request to permit coverage filed for Santoki Productions.
7/27/21 Update: Motions hearing re Day 8 further Motions in Limine filed by defendant. Next trial set to begin on 8/11/21.
CA - Leslie Marie Perlov (21) – Santa Clara County. Trial setting hearing on 10/27/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, August 5th:
*Sentencing Hearing (murder & child abuse charges) (@ 9am ET) – VA – Stephen Dale Meek II (2) (Jan. 11, 2019, Christiansburg; sexually abused & blunt force trauma, died Jan. 13, 2019) – for *McKenzie Kyle Hellman (25/now 26) (BF) arrested (1/13/19) & charged (1/17/19) & indicted (1/28/20) with 2nd degree felony murder (accidental), 2 counts aggravated sexual battery, inanimate sexual penetration, accessory to forcible sodomy, possession of child & 2 counts of accessory before the fact to produce, distribution & possession of child . Held without bond.
Trial began on 3/15/21-Jury found him guilty of all 5 charges: producing child , reproducing child , animate object sexual penetration, producing child & forcible sodomy. Sentencing on 6/29/21 to 2 life sentences.
Trial for murder & child abuse was set to begin on 8/10/21 (thru 8/11/21) was cancelled, plead guilty (on 7/26/21).
Court info from 2/28/19 thru 3/15/21 reference post #104 here:
GUILTY - VA - Steven Dale Meek II, 2, sexually abused, died of brutal trauma, Jan 11 2019 *arrests*
3/16/21 Update: The 2nd degree murder & child abuse charges will be tried later. 4/22/21 Update: Murder & child abuse: next hearing via video on 4/26/21. 4/26/21 Update: Hearing via video. Trial for murder & child abuse has been set to begin on 8/10/21 thru 8/11/21. Waiver of two Judge rule.
7/26/21 Update: Hellman plead guilty to 2nd degree murder & child abuse. Sentencing on 8/10/21.
8/10/21 Update: Sentencing for ALL charges: Life sentence for object sexual penetration, life sentence for forcible sodomy, 30 years for producing child , 10 years for distributing child , 5 years for possessing child , 40 years for murder & 5 years for child abuse and neglect. Total: 2 life sentences & 90 years in prison.
*Kayla Nicole Thomas (25/now 27) “mom” – Trial to begin on 6/9 thru 6/11/21. Found guilty on all 4 charges, sentencing on 9/23/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, August 9th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ 1:30pm ET) - PA – Nichole Pumphrey (31), her daughter, Ameriah Emery (10) & Lawrence Cannon (31) possibly BF (Oct. 16, 2018, New Castle) – for *Anthony Lavon “Mook” Cooper, Jr. (19/now 22) arrested (10/29/18), charged (10/19/18) & arraigned (11/13/18) with 3 counts of criminal homicide, 3 counts of criminal conspiracy, 1 count of attempted murder & 1 count of carrying firearms without a license. Plead not guilty. Bail denied.
Trial was set to begin on 8/9/21 continued to 9/7/21.
Court info from 12/7/20 thru 7/6/21 reference post #279 here:
PA - Three bodies found in New Castle Home, 16 Oct 2018 *Arrests*
8/9/21 Update: Trial has been continued to 9/7/21.
*Steven Procopio (19/now 20) – Next omnibus pretrial motions hearing reset to 10/7/21. Trial is now set to begin on 11/1/21.
*Jody Lynn Hammer - 4/1/19: All charges are dismissed.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Thursday, August 12th:
*Trial continues (Day 4)-VERDICT REACHED! (all charges) (@ 9am ET) - FL - Naomi Jones (12) (May 31, 2017, Pensacola; found June 4, 2017) - *Robert LeTroy Howard (38/now 42) arrested & charged (6/8/17) & indicted (6/30/17) for 1st degree murder, kidnapping, false imprisonment, exploitation of a child & failure to register as SO. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. DA will not seek DP.
*Charged (6/8/17) with sex offender violation. $600K bond.
A convicted sex offender, Howard served 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual assault & rape after a 1999 conviction in Escambia County, Alabama.
Jury selection began on 8/9/21. Trial began on 8/10/21 & ended on 8/12/21. 12 jurors & 3 alternates. Jurors deliberated for 90 minutes & came back with a guilty verdict.
Court info from 6/15/18 thru 8/6/21 & Trial Day 1-3 (8/9/21 to 8/11/21) reference post #529 here:
GUILTY - FL - Naomi Jones, 12, Pensacola, 31 May 2017 *Arrest*
8/12/21 Thursday, Trial Day 3: Medical examiner (no name give) was the only new witness called to the stand Thursday before the State rested its case. Defense attorney Kypreos did not call any witnesses & informed the judge that Howard had chosen not to take the stand at trial & defense rested their case. Closing arguments by Chief Assistant State Attorney Bridgette Jensen & Assistant Public Defender Spiro Kypreos. Jury instructions read. Jurors went to deliberate @ 4:35pm & returned to the courtroom just 90 minutes after closing arguments at the conclusion of three days of testimony, which included video of Howard's confession. Howard was found guilty of first degree murder in her death. After the jury brought back their verdict, Naomi’s mother, Shantara Hurry & Naomi’s brother, 14-year-old Emmanuel Hurry, were given an opportunity to speak to the court & directly to Howard. Howard was sentenced to life in prison without any chance of parole.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 16th to Friday, August 20th:

Monday, August 16th:
*Trial continues with Jury Selection (Day 10) (for Janet’s case) (@ 9am PT) - CA – Janet Ann Taylor (21) (March 24, 1974, from La Honda; found March 25, 1974 in Stanford, Palo Alto) - *John Arthur Getreu (29 @ time of crime/74/now 75) charged (5/10/19) & arraigned (11/20/19) with 1 count of felony murder, enhanced GBI/torture, enhanced serious felony & enhanced special allegation prior acts. Plead not guilty. $10M bond. San Mateo County
DNA submitted to Parabon Nanolabs-match.
Trial began on 4/9/21 with jury selection.
Court info from 5/10/19 thru 7/78/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-8) 4/9/21 to7/27/21 reference post #171 here:
CA - Leslie Perlov, 20, Palo Alto, 1973 & Janet Taylor, 21, Stanford, 1974, murdered, *Arrest 2018**
8/11/21 Wednesday, Trial Day 9: Jury selection. Jury hardships discussed. No other info available. Jury selection continues on 8/16/21 @ 1:30pm for Jury Voir Dire at Event Center.
CA - Leslie Marie Perlov (21) – Santa Clara County. Trial setting hearing on 10/27/21.

*Trial continues (Day 9) (@ 8:30am CT) – ND – Lois Ann Cobbs (45), employee; William Dee “Bill” Cobbs, Jr. (50), employee; Adam Fuehrer (42), employee; Robert John Fakler (52) co-owner (April 1, 2019, at RJR Maint. & Mgmt business, Mandan) - *Chad Trolon Isaak (44/now 47) arrested (4/4/19), charged (4/5/19) & arraigned (5/9/19) with 4 counts of murder (Felony AA), 1 count of burglary (Felony B), 1 count of concealment within a vehicle (Felony C) & 1 count of unauthorized use of vehicle (misdemeanor A). Plead not guilty. $1M Cash only bond.
Trial began on 8/2/21 with jury selection & ended 8/3/21 & trial began on 8/4/21. (8/2/21 to 8/6 & 8/9 to 8/13 & 8/16 to 8/20/21). 12 jurors & 2 alternates. 6 men & 6 women make up the jury with 1 man & 1 woman serving as alternates. Judge David Reich does not intend to sequester jurors.
Court info from 4/5/19 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 8/2/21-8/3/21 & Trial (Day 1-7) 8/4/21-8/12/21 reference post #641 here:
ND - Several bodies found at Mandan business, 1 April 2019 *Arrest* #2
8/13/21 Friday, Trial Day 8: State witnesses: Bureau of Criminal Investigation supervisory special agent Arnie Rummel. Testified he reviews reports for approval & other information related to the investigation. Says his job in the RJR investigation is oversight. Heck is focusing on report writing & report writing procedures. Direct examination by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld. Cross-examination by defense attorney Luke Heck. Re-direct by prosecuting attorney Karlei Neufeld. Rummel testifies, based on the evidence he’s seen & helped collect, he believes Isaak killed the four people at RJR. Re-Cross exam by attorney Luke Heck. Pat Helfrich, Bureau of Criminal Investigation special agent. He is a member of the BCI cybercrime unit. Helfrich assisted in the search of Isaak’s home on April 4, 2019. Cross-examination by Bruce Quick. Re-direct by Neufeld & re-cross-exam by Quick. Scott Voeltz, BCI special agent. Direct examination by Austin Gunderson. Voeltz says he was involved in the search of Isaak’s chiropractic office on April 4, 2019. Found 3 boxes of live ammunition in a microwave oven in Isaak’s office. The live ammunition was 357 ammunition. Voeltz says it was an odd place to store ammunition. Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Re-direct by prosecuting attorney Austin Gunderson. Re-Cross exam by Quick. Tim Helmer, BCI special agent. Direct examination by Gabrielle Joy Goter. Stationed in Dickinson. He helped execute search warrants April 4, 2019 on Isaak’s vehicle, business & home. Says Isaak’s vehicle was a white Ford F-150. Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Allison Rees, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives fingerprint specialist, imprint/impression analyst. Goes over testing, process of evidence in ATF labs, quality assurance procedures, how chain of evidence & evidence integrity is handled. Rees conducted footwear impression analysis on evidence in the RJR killings. She received two pairs of Avia size 12 shoes & a CD with photos. There are two folders on the CD, one labeled “Isaak Shoes from Dryer” & the other, “Impressions From Scene.” Prosecuting attorney Gabrielle Joy Goter is introducing several items into evidence that Rees worked with during her analysis work on the RJR case. Her ultimate conclusion: There is an association of class characteristics in size & tread patterns between the physical left shoe & the photos of shoe imprints at the crime scene. Cross-examination by defense attorney Luke Heck. Re-direct by prosecuting attorney Gabrielle Joy Goter. Re-cross exam by Heck. Craig Sandusky, BCI special agent. Arrived on April 3, 2019, to assist with the RJR investigation. He & other investigators canvassed the area between McDonald’s and RJR. Cross-examination by defense attorney Bruce Quick. Re-direct by Gabrielle Joy Goter. The trial continues on Monday, 8/16/21.

*Trial continues (Day 43) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/72/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19/20. Trial started on 3/4/20. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 11 alternates. (1 alternate excused on 5/18/21) Now 10 alternates. (1 juror (#3) excused for medical reasons on 7/8/21). Now 9 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). Trial stopped 3/16/20 due COVID-19 & will restart on 7/27/20 & retrial was to restart on 4/12/21 continued to 5/17/21 continued to 5/18/21. No court on Fridays.
State rested their case on Tuesday (8/3/21). Defense has 2, possibly 3 witnesses (one is the defendant) & thinks 2 weeks for their case & will begin their case on 8/3/21 afternoon. Judge Windham denies the defense motion for mistrial based on their client's health & inability to testify on 8/2/21. Judge denies defense motion for judgment of acquittal.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-6 (3/4/20 thru 3/12/20) & Court info from 3/16/20 thru 5/12/21 & Trial Days 1-41 (5/18/21 thru 8/11/21) reference post #515 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
8/12/21 Thursday, Trial Day 42: Defense witnesses: Robert Durst. Trial continues on Monday, 8/16/21.


Tuesday, August 17th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Arapahoe Co) (@ 1:30pm MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial began on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial started on 7/27/21. State rested their case on 8/3/21. Defense rested their case on 8/5/21. Jurors: 6 women & 6 men. Jurors deliberated for ~ 4 hours on 8/5/21 & 5 hours on 8/5/21 returned with a verdict of guilty on all counts. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/23/21 to 7/26/21 & Trial (Day 1-8) 7/27/21 to 8/5/21 reference post #324 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
8/6/21 Friday, Trial Day 9: Jurors deliberated for another 5 hours & returned with a verdict. Ewing found guilty on all counts. Ewing faces life with parole possible after 20 years. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood, Jefferson County) - Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 thru 11/15/21.

*Trial set to begin-MAYBE! (@ 9am ET) – OH – Baby Boy Doe (2 mos. or younger) (found May 11, 2017 decomposing in a 1988 Ford Mustang, South Toledo) & Giovanna Gabrielle Cisneros (was Baby Jane Doe) (infant) (found Feb. 10, 2020 decomposing in PT Cruiser which had been towed to police lot) – for *Jacob Andrew Cisneros (33/now 34) arrested & charged (2/3/20) & arraigned (2/4/20) with involuntary 1st degree manslaughter & endangering children. Those charges were dismissed (on 2/13/20) , indicted (2/13/20), Charged & arraigned (2/19/20) with 2 counts of 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, 2 counts of 3rd degree endangering children, 2 counts of 3rd degree tampering with evidence & 2 counts of 3rd degree obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty. $400K bond. Bond changed (2/19/20) to $1,225,000.
Trial set to begin on 8/17/21.
DNA & court info from 4/7/20 thru 1/19/21 reference post #126 here:
OH - Toledo, WhtMale, 2 months, UP17671, May '17 & Baby Jane Doe, Feb '20 - found in cars *arrests*
6/8/21 Update: Defense files motion for trial continuance-granted. Trial now set to begin on 8/17/21. 7/28/21: Motion filed to continue trial.
*Jenna Nicole Cisneros (34) – 8/17/20: Plead no contest. Sentenced on 9/9/20: 10 years in prison as to Count 1 (Invol. Manslaughter); 30 months in prison as to Count 3 (tampering w/evidence); 30 months in prison as to Count 4 (Obstructing justice); 10 years in prison as to Count 5 (Invol. manslaughter; 30 months in prison as to Count 7 (tampering w/evidence); and 30 months in prison as to Count 8 (obstructing justice). The sentences in Counts 3 & 4 are ordered to be served concurrently to each other. Counts 2 & 8 endangering children dismissed.
4/20/21: Jenna files pro se Affidavit of indigency; Motion: notice of appeal filed pro se; Praecipe filed pro se; Docketing statement filed pro se; Pleading filed: statement, praecipe & notice to court; Motion filed preparation of complete transcripts at State expense file pro se & motion for appointment of counsel filed pro se.


Thursday, August 19th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 8:30am CT) - TX – Carla Jan Walker (17) (missing Feb. 17, 1974, Fort Worth, found Feb. 20, 1974 near Benbrook Lake, stuffed in an enclosed cement culvert) - *Glen Samuel McCurley (31 @ time of crime/77) arrested & charged (9/21/20) & indicted (11/10/20) & arraigned (6/16/21) with capital murder. $100K bond. 10/14/20: Bond now $500K . Confessed to crime. Plead not guilty. DA will not seek the DP.
Trial set to begin on 8/19/21 with jury selection.
DNA & crime & court info from 10/12/20 thru 7/9/21 reference post #234 here:
TX - Carla Walker, 17, raped and strangled, Fort Worth, 17 Feb 1974 *Arrest in 2020*

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, August 16th:
*Trial set to begin-RESCHEDULED! (@ 9am ET) – OH – Baby Boy Doe (2 mos. or younger) (found May 11, 2017 decomposing in a 1988 Ford Mustang, South Toledo) & Giovanna Gabrielle Cisneros (was Baby Jane Doe) (infant) (found Feb. 10, 2020 decomposing in PT Cruiser which had been towed to police lot) – for *Jacob Andrew Cisneros (33/now 34) arrested & charged (2/3/20) & arraigned (2/4/20) with involuntary 1st degree manslaughter & endangering children. Those charges were dismissed (on 2/13/20) , indicted (2/13/20), charged & arraigned (2/19/20) with 2 counts of 1st degree involuntary manslaughter, 2 counts of 3rd degree endangering children, 2 counts of 3rd degree tampering with evidence & 2 counts of 3rd degree obstruction of justice. Plead not guilty. $400K bond. Bond changed (2/19/20) to $1,225,000.
Trial was set to begin on 8/17/21 continued to 11/16/21.
DNA & court info from 4/7/20 thru 1/19/21 reference post #126 here:
OH - Toledo, WhtMale, 2 months, UP17671, May '17 & Baby Jane Doe, Feb '20 - found in cars *arrests*
6/8/21 Update: Defense files motion for trial continuance-granted. Trial now set to begin on 8/17/21. 7/28/21: Motion filed to continue trial.
8/17/21 Update: Trial continued at defense request. Motion granted pursuant to the request. Jacob's trial will now start 11/16/21 @ 9am.
*Jenna Nicole Cisneros (34) – 8/17/20: Plead no contest. Sentenced on 9/9/20: 10 years in prison as to Count 1 (Invol. Manslaughter); 30 months in prison as to Count 3 (tampering w/evidence); 30 months in prison as to Count 4 (Obstructing justice); 10 years in prison as to Count 5 (Invol. manslaughter; 30 months in prison as to Count 7 (tampering w/evidence); and 30 months in prison as to Count 8 (obstructing justice). The sentences in Counts 3 & 4 are ordered to be served concurrently to each other. Counts 2 & 8 endangering children dismissed.
4/20/21: Jenna files pro se Affidavit of indigency; Motion: notice of appeal filed pro se; Praecipe filed pro se; Docketing statement filed pro se; Pleading filed: statement, praecipe & notice to court; Motion filed preparation of complete transcripts at State expense file pro se & motion for appointment of counsel filed pro se.

 

[Niner]

Update:

Tuesday, August 17th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Arapahoe Co) (@ 1:30pm MT) – CO – Bruce (27) & Debra (26) Bennett & daughter Melissa (7) (Jan. 16, 1984, Aurora) – *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62) charged (3/2/20) (Arapahoe County in CO on 8/9/18) & arraigned (2/3/21) with 3 counts of 1st degree murder after deliberation, 3 counts of felony murder, 1 count of attempted 1st degree murder after deliberation, 1 count of aggravated sexual assault, 1 count of assault with deadly weapon & 1 count of 1st degree burglary with weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond. Arapahoe County
Trial began on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial started on 7/27/21. State rested their case on 8/3/21. Defense rested their case on 8/5/21. Jurors: 6 women & 6 men. Jurors deliberated for ~ 4 hours on 8/5/21 & 5 hours on 8/5/21 returned with a verdict of guilty on all counts. Sentenced on 8/17/21 to 3 life sentences.
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/23/21 to 7/26/21 & Trial (Day 1-8) 7/27/21 to 8/5/21 reference post #324 here:
GUILTY - CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
8/6/21 Friday, Trial Day 9: Jurors deliberated for another 5 hours & returned with a verdict. Ewing found guilty on all counts. Ewing faces life with parole possible after 20 years. Sentencing hearing on 8/17/21.
8/17/21 Update: Judge sentenced Ewing to three life sentences on Tuesday after he was found guilty in the 1984 murders of three people in Aurora.
*CO – Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood, Jefferson County) - Next motions hearings on 9/14/21 & 9/15/21. Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 thru 11/15/21.

 

[Niner]

Update:

Thursday, August 5th:
*Sentencing Hearing for both (re murder) (@ 9am MT) – CO – Amy Garcia (41) (Dec. 20, 2018, Walsenburg, Huerfano County; gf of Heith) – *Gage Gleason (12/now 14) arrested (12/21/18 in Santa Fe, NM) & charged (12/20/18) with 1st degree murder. Extradited out of New Mexico (1/1/19).
Murder was trial set to begin on 7/22/21 (thru 8/6/21) was cancelled due to plea deal; Trial re wrongful death suit was set to begin on 4/14/21 but was cancelled.
Court hearings from 12/31/18 thru 4/9/21 reference post #168 here:
CO - Amy Garcia, 41, shot & burned by man and 12 y.o. son, Huerfano Co, Dec 2018 *Arrests*
6/24/21 Update: Plea deal reached (no details), sentencing hearing on 8/5/21 @ 9am.
8/5/21 Update: Gleason, who was 12-years-old at the time he shot Garcia at a residence near Silver Mountain in Huerfano County in the last week of 2018, was sentenced to five years in the Colorado Department of Youth Corrections during a sentencing hearing in district court last week. The youthful offender’s sentence will include a parole period as well that was described as one that will offer therapy to the young teen. He was credited with the 959 days, or 2.6 years, he’s already spent in confinement. This makes his total time in corrections close to 8 years. After deliberation on June 14, 2021, Gleason had plead guilty to murder in the second degree, an F2 felony.
*Kasey Gleason () – charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Court hearings from 2/16/21 thru 489/21 reference post #168 here:
CO - Amy Garcia, 41, shot & burned by man and 12 y.o. son, Huerfano Co, Dec 2018 *Arrests*
6/24/21 Update: Plea deal reached (no details), sentencing hearing on 8/5/21 @ 9am. 8/5/21 Update: no info on mother's sentencing.
*Heith Gleason (35) – 6/18/19: Murder: Plead guilty was sentenced to 42 years in prison. 1/19/21 Update: Wrongful Death suit: Trial was set to begin on 4/14/21, but was cancelled.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, August 23rd to Friday, August 27th:

Monday, August 23rd:
*Trial set to begin for both (@ 9am CT) – MI – Zyaire Reed (13 mos.) (July 28, 2020, Ecorse) (Zyaire was killed, twin Zion Reed injured) – *James Edward Gibson, Jr. (34/now 35) (BF of mom) arrested, charged (7/28/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with 1st degree premeditated murder, felony murder & 2 counts of 1st degree child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 8/23/21 (for both cases) @ 9am.
Court info from 10/6/20 thru 4/30/21 reference post #71 here:
MI - Zyaire, 1, killed; Zion, 1, twin, injured; Ecorse, July 2020 *mother & boyfriend arrested*
4/30/21: Murder: People's response to motion. 5/6/21: Motion for evidentiary hearing; defense response to motion. Trial has been cancelled for 5/24/21. Next final pretrial conference hearing on 6/30/21. Trial set to begin on 8/23/21.
6/30/21 Update: Hearing held. Bond continued. Next trial on 8/23/21 & review hearing on 8/25/21.
*Charged (10/27/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with assault on prison employee.
Trial set to begin on 8/23/21.
Court info from 11/2/20 thru 3/17/21 reference post #71 here:
MI - Zyaire, 1, killed; Zion, 1, twin, injured; Ecorse, July 2020 *mother & boyfriend arrested*
4/8/21 Update: Final pretrial hearing continued to 5/12/21. Trial has been cancelled for 5/24/21. Next final pretrial conference hearing on 6/30/21.
6/30/21 Update: Hearing held. Bond continued. Next trial on 8/23/21 & review hearing on 8/25/21.
*Lisa Marie Reed (34/now 35) (“mother”) arrested & charged (7/28/20) & arraigned (2/10/21) with 2nd degree murder & 2 counts of 1st degree child abuse. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 8/23/21.
Info re ambulance & Court info from 8/25/20 thru 4/26/21 reference post #71 here:
MI - Zyaire, 1, killed; Zion, 1, twin, injured; Ecorse, July 2020 *mother & boyfriend arrested*
5/6/21: Murder: Motion for evidentiary hearing. Trial has been cancelled for 5/24/21. Next final pretrial conference hearing on 6/30/21. Trial set to begin on 8/23/21.
6/30/21 Update: Hearing held. Bond continued. Next trial on 8/23/21 & review hearing on 8/25/21.

*Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 8:30am CT) - TX – Carla Jan Walker (17) (missing Feb. 17, 1974, Fort Worth, found Feb. 20, 1974 near Benbrook Lake, stuffed in an enclosed cement culvert) - *Glen Samuel McCurley (31 @ time of crime/77) arrested & charged (9/21/20) & indicted (11/10/20) & arraigned (6/16/21) with capital murder. $100K bond. 10/14/20: Bond now $500K . Confessed to crime. Plead not guilty. DA will not seek the DP.
DNA profile match was found in GEDMATCH. DNA was tested thru the Serological Research Institute in Richard, CA. & Othram, forensic genealogy lab based in Houston. DNA on her clothing that was eventually sent to Texas company, Othram, for advanced testing. They developed a DNA profile that was then linked to genealogy data to McCurley’s family.
Trial began on 8/19/21 with jury selection, trial started 8/20/21.
DNA & crime & court info from 10/12/20 thru 7/9/21 & Jury selection 8/19/21 (Day 1) reference post #241 here:
TX - Carla Walker, 17, abducted, raped and strangled, Fort Worth, 17 Feb 1974 *Arrest in 2020*
8/20/21 Friday, Trial Day 1: Opening statements by prosecutor Emily Dixon & defense attorney Steve Myers. State witnesses: Rodney McCoy, Carla's bf recalled the night Carla went missing; direct by prosecutor Kim D'Avignon & cross-exam by defense attorney Eric Nickols. Darrell Thompson, was patrol officer with Ft. Worth (1969-1980) found Carla's body. Jack Boulton, former crime scene investigator, used a color video camera to capture the scene where her body was found which was shown to jury & still photos captured from the video were shown. Jim Mintor, was lead investigator. John Bennett, was an investigator with FWPD. Detective Leah Wagner with FWPD began working on case in Feb. 2020, talked about advances in DNA technology to match McCurley's DNA to crime scene. In Sept, 2020 Wagner & her partner, Jeff Bennett, interviewed McCurley at his Ft. Worth home, the prosecutors played about 20 minutes of audio from interview. The Judge dismissed court for the day at about 4pm. Trial continues on Monday, 8/23/21 at 8:30am.

*Trial continues (Day 47) (@ 9am PT) – CA – Susan Berman (55) (Dec. 24, 2000, Beverly Hills) – *Robert Alan Durst (57 @ time of crime/72/now 78) arrested (3/14/15) extradited (11/1/16 from Indiana prison to Calif.) & charged with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $4M Bond.
Was serving a 7 year federal prison term for illegal possession of a revolver at the time of his New Orleans’ arrest.
Trial began on 2/11/20 with pretrial motions & jury selection started on 2/19/20. Trial started on 3/4/20. Jury: 8 women & 4 men. 11 alternates. (1 alternate excused on 5/18/21) Now 10 alternates. (1 juror (#3) excused for medical reasons on 7/8/21). Now 9 alternates. (Trial expected to last 5 months). Trial stopped 3/16/20 due COVID-19 & will restart on 7/27/20 & retrial was to restart on 4/12/21 continued to 5/17/21 continued to 5/18/21. No court on Fridays.
State rested their case on Tuesday (8/3/21). Defense has 2, possibly 3 witnesses (one is the defendant) & thinks 2 weeks for their case & will begin their case on 8/3/21 afternoon. Judge Windham denies the defense motion for mistrial based on their client's health & inability to testify on 8/2/21. Judge denies defense motion for judgment of acquittal.
Jury Selection from 2/19/20 thru 3/3/20 (Days 1-8) & Trial Days 1-6 (3/4/20 thru 3/12/20) & Court info from 3/16/20 thru 5/12/21 & Trial Days 1-45 (5/18/21 thru 8/18/21) reference post #581 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
8/19/21 Thursday, Trial Day 46: Defense asked the judge to give the jury an instruction that regarding any drug rehab Kathie may have participated in, regulation prohibits Lenox Hill to make that public. Judge: There is NO CREDIBLE evidence that Kathie Durst was at Lenox Hill rehab.
Defense witness: Robert Durst. Prosecutor John Lewin still on cross exam. Trial continues on Monday, 8/23/21.


Tuesday, August 24th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) – FL – Jacye Martin (2) (July 18, 2018, Orlando; tortured & beaten to death w/toilet seat) – for *Johnathan Andrew Pursglove (25/now 28) 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 3/31/21 reference post #75 here:
GUILTY - FL - Jayce Martin, 2, tortured/beaten to death with toilet seat by mother, Orlando, Jul 2018
4/5/21: The State's plea offer was previously relayed in writing to the defense. Trial date to remain as previous set. Defense filed Motion to rescheduled Case Management hearing for 4/5/21 & also hearing on 4/6/21. Defendant's counsel is presently going thru a change of administrative staff. Pretrial conference hearing on 4/6 was cancelled. 4/11/21 Update: Next plea hearing on 4/13/21.
4/13/21 Update: Plea agreement – admitted charge & plead guilty. Sentencing hearing on 5/11/21. 5/6/21: Motion for a downward sentencing departure. 5/7/21: Notice of filing: V. Toth, sworn statements from 7/18/18, & 9/7/18 Toth text messages. Exhibits filed by defendants. 5/10/21: Motion to disallow improper victim impact evidence filed by defense. Motion: to set co-defendant's sentencing testimony for later date.
5/10/21 Update: Granted emergency motion to set co-defendant's sentencing testimony for a later date. Order for continuance of sentencing-granted. 5/11/21 Update: Notice of supplemental discovery. Sentencing hearing continued to 8/24/21.
*Victoria Lynn Toth (24/now 27) – Plea hearing on 2/17/21. Plead guilty. Sentencing on 9/2/21.

Wednesday, August 25th:
*Sentencing Hearing (Federal case) (@ am CT) - MI – Plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer - only for *Ty Gerard Garbin (24) (born 1995) of Hartland arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
2/11/21 Update: A federal judge Wednesday delayed the trial of five men accused of plotting to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer by almost seven months to give defense lawyers more time to prepare. The move by U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker to reschedule the trial from March 23 to Oct. 12 in federal court in Grand Rapids follows a request from defendant Brandon Caserta who cited voluminous evidence amassed during the FBI investigation. The trial is scheduled to start Oct. 12 in federal court in Grand Rapids. Ty Garbin, who plead guilty will be sentenced on July 8.
7/8/21 Update: Sentencing has been rescheduled to 8/25/21.
Accomplices:
*Adam Dean Fox (37) (born 1983) of Grand Rapids, *Barry Gordon Croft, Jr. (44) (no birth date given) from Bear, Delaware (waiting to be extradited to MI), *Kaleb James Franks (26) (born 1994) of Wexford, *Daniel Joseph Harris (23) (born 1997) of Lake Orion & *Brandon Michael-Ray Caserta (32) (born 1988) of Canton arrested & charged (10/8/20) & indicted (12/17/20) with conspiracy to commit kidnapping. All charged with a federal crime. All are being held without bond. All plead not guilty (12/17/20).
Trial set to begin on 10/12/21. (expected to last 3 weeks) for Fox, Croft, Franks, Harris & Caseta.

*Trial set to begin (@ 9am CT) – OK – Khal-el Ezrin Alyxander Clark (2) (July 16, 2018, Okmulgee) – *Brenda Nicole Clark (26/now 29) step-mom arrested & charged (7/16/18) & arraigned (8/23/18) with felony child abuse with injury & felony child neglect. Plead not guilty. $100K bond was reduced (9/20/18) to $30K.
Admitted abusing child.
Trial set to begin on 8/25/21.
Court info from 8/23/18 thru 4/28/21 reference post #58 here:
OK - Khal-el Ezrin Alyxander Clark, 2, murdered, Okmulgee County, 16 Jul 2018 *stepmom arrested*
6/14/21 Update: Next hearing on 6/21/21. 6/21/21 Update: Trial set to begin on 8/25/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, August 23rd:
*Trial continues (Day 3)-Plea Change! (@ 8:30am CT) - TX – Carla Jan Walker (17) (missing Feb. 17, 1974, Fort Worth, found Feb. 20, 1974 near Benbrook Lake, stuffed in an enclosed cement culvert) - *Glen Samuel McCurley (31 @ time of crime/77) arrested & charged (9/21/20) & indicted (11/10/20) & arraigned (6/16/21) with capital murder. $100K bond. 10/14/20: Bond now $500K . Confessed to crime. Plead not guilty. DA will not seek the DP.
Trial began on 8/19/21 with jury selection, trial started 8/20/21 & ended on 8/24/21 with McCurley pleading guilty.
DNA & crime & court info from 10/12/20 thru 7/9/21 & Jury selection 8/19/21 (Day 1) & trial 8/20- 8/23/21 (Day 1-2) reference post #250 here:
TX - Carla Walker, 17, abducted, raped and strangled, Fort Worth, 17 Feb 1974 *Arrest in 2020*
8/24/21 Tuesday, Trial Day 3: McCurley entered Judge Elizabeth Beach's Tarrant County courtroom, was sworn in & soon after changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. Beach began the third day of the trial by saying she had received a document in which McCurley had confessed to Walker's kidnapping & murder. She asked McCurley if he understood that he had a right to proceed with the jury trial but that by signing the agreement he was waiving his right to that trial & was proceeding with a guilty plea. He responded to the judge that he was "guilty" & he was immediately sentenced to life in prison & the trial was concluded. Following McCurley's plea Carla's sister gave a victim's impact statement.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, August 30th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) – IA – Mollie Cecilia Tibbetts (20) (missing July 18, 2018, Brooklyn; found Aug. 21, 2018) – *Cristhian Bahena Rivera aka John Budd (24/now 27) arrested (8/21/18), charged (8/22/18) & arraigned (9/19/18) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. $5M cash only bond. No bond (5/28/21) pending sentence.
ICE logged an immigration detainer on Rivera. Confessed to killing Mollie.
Trial began on 5/17/21 with jury selection & ended 5/18/21. Trial started on 5/19/21 & ended on 5/27/21). Trial moved from Poweshiek County to Scott County in Davenport. 12 jurors & 3 alternates (8 women & 7 men); Jurors: Hispanic/Latino/Spanish-3, White-12 (now 9-minus alternates), jurors ages range from 19 to 71. Jury instructions added 2nd degree murder, voluntary manslaughter & involuntary manslaughter.
5/27/21: Jurors started deliberations @ 1:30pm CT to ~4:30pm CT. Total: ~3 hours (+ 6 mins). 5/28/21: Jurors started deliberations ~8:30am CT to ~12:30pm (for lunch) (~4 hours). Started back @ ~1pm CT to ~1:10pm (10 mins). VERDICT Reached!
Total deliberations: ~7 hours & 16 minutes. Guilty of 1st degree murder. No bond pending sentencing. Sentencing was to be on 7/15/21 has been delayed. Judge denied motion for new trial. Sentencing hearing on 8/30/21.
Court hearings from 8/22/18 thru 5/13/21 & Jury selection (Days 1 & 2) 5/17 to 5/18/21 & Trial (Days 1-7) 5/19 thru 5/27/21 & Jury deliberations (Day 1-2) 5/27/21 & 5/28/21 & court info from 7/14/21 thru 7/20/21 & 7/27/21 see post #446 here:
GUILTY - IA - Mollie Tibbetts, 20, Poweshiek County, 19 Jul 2018 *Arrest* #50
7/27/21 Update: Motion to Quash by State. 7/29/21 Update: Order to restrict access to records filed by State. 8/2/21 Update: Judge Joel Yates ruled on Motions for new trial & arrest of judgment are overruled & denied by judge in Mollie’s murder case. Sentencing of Cristhian Bahena Rivera is set for August 30, 2021 at 1:30pm.
8/30/21 Update: Sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, Aug. 24th:
*Disposition Hearing (@ 1:30pm ET) - FL – Laura Marie Pietscher (28) (last seen in Sebring w/Danielle Oct. 17, 2018; found Oct. 19, 2018, Tampa) - *Gary Tyrone Danielle (48/now 50) arrested (3/19/19) & charge & indicted (2/14/19) & arraigned (3/28/19) for 1st degree premeditated murder, tampering with physical evidence & Grand theft auto. Plead not guilty. Held without bond on murder charge; $4K bond on grand theft & tampering charges. Spellz’ friends’ daughter.
Manhunt was underway on 3/15/19; suspect was captured in Tampa (3/19/19) by the U.S. Marshal's task force.
DNA of the killer was found under her fingernails.
Trial set to begin on 1/25/22 with jury selection (thru 2/4/22) – vacated plead guilty to all charges.
Court info from 3/20/19 thru 5/5/21 reference post #85 here:
FL - Laura Pietscher, 28, found murdered, Tampa, 19 Oct 2018 *Arrest*
8/11/21 Update: Next disposition hearing in person re change of plea on 8/24/21. Pretrial hearing via Zoom on 1/6/22 & trial set to begin on 1/25/22 to 2/4/22.
8/24/21 Update: Plead guilty to 2nd degree murder. Sentence to 30 years with credit for time served: 890 days. Defendant is sentenced as a habitual violent felon. Sentenced to 5 years for tampering with physical evidence. And sentenced to 5 years for Grand theft auto. State waives PRR enhancement. Each count concurrent.