Trials & Sentencings set to begin in June, 2021

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, June 22nd:
*Trial was set to begin-RESCHEDULED! (@ 9:30am ET) – FL – Kameela Russell (41) (May 15, 2019, last see in driveway of Aunt’s house, found 5/25/19 in Snake Creek canal) - *Ernest Joseph Roberts (39/now 41) arrested (6/14/19), charged (6/13/19), indicted (7/17/19) & arraigned (7/18/19) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. (5/18/20: bond denied due to COVID). DP Case.
Trial was set to begin on 6/22/21 rescheduled on 10/12/21.
Court info from 10/13/20 thru 5/10/21 reference post #154 here:
Found Deceased - FL - Kameela Russell, 41, Miami Gardens, 15 May 2019 *Arrest*
6/22/21 Update: Trial has been rescheduled to 10/12/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, June 29th:
*Trial set to begin-CANCELLED! (@ 8:30am PT) – WA – Elysia Miller victim w/5 wk. old baby (Feb. 5, 2020, Spanaway) - *Juliette Leilani Parker (38/now 39) aka Juliette Noel & Juliette Gaines arrested & charged (2/14/20) & arraigned (2/18/20) with 2nd degree assault & 2nd degree attempted kidnapping. Plead not guilty. $50K bond (released over the weekend on $5K bail (originally set at $50K but bonded down to 10%). Judge changed (2/18/20) bond to $150K; back in jail. Released a second time (2/20/20) at about 1:40 p.m. after she paid the increased bail amount.
*16 year old daughter (now 17) of Parker arrested & charged (2/14/20) with 2nd degree assault & 2nd degree attempted kidnapping. Held at Remann Hall Pierce County Juvenile Detention Center. Released () to group home.
Arrested after allegedly posed as baby photographers & drugged a woman in an attempt to steal her newborn. It was on the third visit that the woman alleges that the drugging took place. Parker's teenage daughter allegedly gave the victim a cupcake & as soon as she ate the treat, the woman immediately felt drowsy.
Trial was set to begin on 6/29/21 has been cancelled no further dates as of 6/22/21.
Court info from 2/14/20 thru 11/5/20 reference post #161 here:
WA - Juliette Parker, 38 & daughter, 16, drugged woman to steal baby, Spanaway, Feb 2020 *Arrests*
2/5/21 Update: Trial readiness hearing on 2/5/21 & trial on 2/24/21 have been continued. Next Trial readiness status hearing on 6/11/21 & trial will now begin on 6/29/21. 6/11/21 Update: Next trial on 6/29/21. 6/14/21: State’s witness list. 6/18/21: Defendant’s witness list.
6/22/21 Update: Trial has been cancelled. No further dates available.
6/23/21 Update: All charges dismissed due to lack of victim cooperation.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, June 23rd:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm MT) – CO – Jordan Vong (7) (reported missing August 6, 2018, Denver, found Aug. 8, 2018) – *Jennie Bunsom (16/now 18) arrested (8/8/18) & charged (8/9/18) as an adult with 1st degree murder after deliberation & 1st degree murder by a person in a position of trust (victim under the age of 12). Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Previous court hearings from 8/13/18 thru 11/14/20 reference post #307 here:
GUILTY - CO - Jordan Vong, 7, found deceased, Denver, 6 Aug 2018 *arrests*
3/22/21 Update: Bunsom plead guilty on Monday to 2nd degree murder & tampering with a deceased body. She is scheduled for sentencing on May 21. 5/21/21 Update: Sentencing was moved to 6/23/21.
6/23/21 Update: Prosecutors had asked for the maximum sentence (30 yrs in adult prison) under the plea agreement. The judge sentenced Bunsom to 7 years in youth offender services, with a 30-year suspended sentence in the Dept. of Corrections. "Marty Beyer, the psychologist, told the court of Bunsom’s troubled youth & upbringing, based in part on multiple interviews with Bunsom. Beyer told the court that Bunsom had been sexually assaulted, including by family members, growing up. Bunsom was bullied in middle school for being Asian, poor & skinny. She had a difficult & troubled relationship with her mother. Bunsom was “emotionally delayed,” Beyer said. Trauma in her life sent her into an emotional downward spiral. Depressed, she acted out in anger & turned to alcohol & marijuana in her youth." The judge said that she believes ""Bunsom is working hard to change her life and to somehow atone."

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, June 23rd:
*Trial continues (Day 7)-VEREDICT REACHED! (@ 10:30am MT) - CO - Makayla Victoria Roberts (10) & Hannah Elizabeth Rosaline Marshall (8) (June, 2017, Norwood; found Sept. 8, 2017) – for *Ika Eden (53/now 56) (from Jamaica) charged with 2 counts felony child abuse causing death, bond $125K; plead not guilty. Found incompetent to stand trial; in State hospital in Pueblo. Found competent to stand trial (5/25/21).
Trial began on 6/14/21 with jury selection & trial began on 6/15/21 & ended on 6/23/21. Trial moved from San Miguel County to Mesa County. Eden is representing herself with a court-appointed attorney as advisory counsel.
Court info from 5/21/19 thru 6/10/21, Jury selection (Day 1-2) 6/14/21 to 6/15/21 & Trial (Day 1-6) 6/15/21 to 6/22/21 reference post #343 here:
CO - Makayla Roberts, 10, & Hannah Marshall, 8, slain, Norwood, June 2017 *Arrests*
6/23/21 Wednesday, Trial Day 7: Closing arguments done. Jury only took a half hour & returns a guilty verdict of reckless child abuse resulting in death. Sentencing hearing on 7/28/21.
*Madani "Ama" Ceus – Child: Termination of parental rights hearing on 8/20 & 8/21/20. Sentenced for murder on 6/19/20 to 64 years in prison. Restitution hearing on 9/11/20.
*Ashford Nathaniel Archer aka Nathan Yah aka Nathanyah Nitchitu (50) – found guilty & sentenced to 24 years in prison. 5/8/19: Appealing his guilty verdict. 1/29/20: The notice of appeal document from July is for now restricted to case parties; the opening for appeal 4/14/20. The appeal will be handled through the Colorado Attorney General’s Office.
*Nashika Leonie Bramble (36) – Jury verdict guilty of 2 counts of 1st degree murder. Sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison without parole. Bramble’s appeal brief had been due Thursday 2/27/20, but the Court of Appeals granted an extension until July 16. Until the appeal is filed, the specifics of what Bramble is contesting are not public.
*Frederick "Alec" A. Blair – Plead guilty. Sentenced to 12 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

Update!!

Thursday, June 24th:
*Trial continues (Day 12)-VERDICT WATCH!-MISTRIAL! (@ 9am CT) – IN - Thomas Grill, Jr. (18) & Molley R. Lanham (19) (Feb. 25, 2019, St. John; found in Hebron, in burned out car) – for *John Salvadore Silva III (17/now 18) arrested & charged (5/22/20) with 2 felony counts of murder in the perpetration of a robbery. Plead not guilty. No bond.
Trial began on 6/1/21 (9 days: 6/1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16 & 17 & 21, 22 & 23 & 24).
Court info from 8/10/20 thru 5/25/21 & Jury selection (6/1/21) & Trial Day 1-11 (6/2/21 & 6/23/21) & Jury deliberations Day 1 (6/23/21) reference post #189 here:
VERDICT WATCH - IN - Thomas Grill Jr., 18, & Molley Lanham, 19, murdered, Lake County, 25 Feb 2019 *arrests*
6/24/21 Thursday, Day 12 of Trial & Day 2 of Jury Deliberations: The 9 women & 4 men on the jury deliberated until around 8pm Wednesday, 6/23 before reconvening at 9am & continuing until around 4pm before letting Judge Fish know that there were items they couldn’t reconcile. Family members of Molley Lanham & Thomas Grill wept at the decision to declare a mistrial. Silva was returned to the Porter County Jail to await a July 19 status hearing. Porter County Superior Court Judge Michael Fish denied Silva bail.
Accomplice:
*Connor Ralland Kerner (17/now 19) – Found guilty. 12/8/20: Sentenced to 179 years in prison. Filed an appeal on 5/13/21. Earliest Possible Release Date 05/31/2153.

 

[Niner]

Update:

Thursday, June 24th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 8:30am CT) – IN – Kimberly Dyer (31) (occurred from Oct. 21 to Oct. 22, 2019, Elkhart, found stuffed in a trash bin & dumped & covered in a marshy area near Constantine, Michigan) & Robert Curtis Porter (32/now 33) serious injuries during robbery (Oct. 21-22, 2019) - for *Mario M. Angulo, Jr. (19/now 20) arrested & charged (12/19/19) with murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, 2 counts of criminal confinement & life without parole enhancement. Held without bond. DA will seek life without parole.
Trial began on 4/19/21 with jury selection. Jury deliberated ~ 2 ½ hours reached a guilty of all counts for both. Phase II-LWOP began on 5/17/21. Jury recommended terms of years in prison.
Kimberly info & court info from 12/19/19 thru 4/28/21 (Trial 4/19 thru 4/28/21) & thru 5/12/21 reference post #324 here:
GUILTY - IN - Kimberly Dyer, 31, burned, tortured, mutilated, murdered, Elkhart, 22 Oct 2019 *Arrests*
See post #346 for Phase IV sentencing hearings here:
GUILTY - IN - Kimberly Dyer, 31, burned, tortured, mutilated, murdered, Elkhart, 22 Oct 2019 *Arrests*
Circuit Court Judge Michael Christofeno set Owen’s sentencing for June 10 & Angulo’s for June 24.
6/24/21 Update: Angulo was sentenced to 127 years in prison. He'll have to serve 75% of the sentence before he can be considered for parole.
*Donald R. Owen, Jr. (20/now 22) – Trial (4/29/21): found guilty of all counts (murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, 2 counts of criminal confinement & life without parole enhancement). Jury recommended life in prison without parole on 5/17/21. Sentenced on 6/10/21 to life without parole + 62 years.
*Matthew A.P. Murzynski (24/now 25) – Plead guilty on 3/25/21 to counts of aiding, inducing or causing a robbery that resulted in serious bodily injury; and aiding, inducing or causing criminal confinement; along with a criminal gang sentencing enhancement, in an agreement that sets a total sentence of 60 years. Murzynski was not required to testify at the trial as part of his plea bargain. Sentenced on 6/3/21 to 60 years in prison.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Friday, June 25th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 1:30pm CT) - MN – George Perry Floyd, Jr. (46) (May 25, 2020, Minneapolis, arrested for forgery & killed in police custody) - *Derek Michael Chauvin (44/now 45) police officer who held his knee on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes & 46 seconds (Note: on 10/14/20 this has been changed to 9 minutes & 29 seconds) (& non responsive for 2 minutes & 53 seconds before officer took his knee off his neck; from 8:19pm to 8:28pm his knee was on Floyd’s neck; has been fired (5/26/20) & arrested & charged (5/29/20) with 3rd degree murder & 2nd degree manslaughter. Charges changed (6/3/20) to 2nd degree murder-unintentional-while committing a felony, 3rd degree murder-perpetrating eminently dangerous act (3rd degree charge was dismissed on 10/22/20 & reinstated on 3/11/21) & evincing depraved mind & 2nd degree manslaughter-culpable negligence creating unreasonable risk. $500K bond, reset (6/8/20) @ $1.25M & $1M with conditions. Posted non-cash $1M bond (10/7/20) & has been released from jail.
Trial began on 3/8/21 with jury selection. Jury selection ran through March 23, 2021. Trial with opening statements & the commencement of the State’s case began on March 29, 2021. Experts anticipate the trial could last 2-4 weeks. Jurors: 12 & 2 alternates (9 women & 5 men). Jurors will be sequestered during deliberations. None of the other officers will be testifying at Chauvin’s trial. The State rested their case on 4/13/21 & had 38 witnesses. Defense started their case on 4/13/21 & rested their case on 4/15/21 & 7 witnesses.
Closing arguments will begin Monday, 4/19/21. The jury will be sequestered then. 4/21/21: Judge Cahill orders the Chauvin trial juror names will remain confidential for at least 180 days (10/20/21).
Judge Cahill said the jury will begin their deliberations at 9am & go as late until 7:30pm CT. 4/19/21: Jury started deliberations @ 4pm to 8pm (for ~4 hours). 4/20/21: Jury started deliberations @ 8am to ~1:45pm (for ~ 5 hours & 45 mins). Total deliberations: 9 hours & 45 mins. – Verdict: Guilty of all charges. Sentencing on 6/16/21 & changed to 6/25/21. Remanded to custody & bond revoked & held @ MCF Oak Park Heights.
Bond conditions Appeal possibilities, list of aggravating & mitigating factors & court info 12/19/20 thru 3/23/21 & jury selection (3/9 thru 3/23) & Day 1 to 14 of Trial & closing arguments & deliberations (3/29 to 4/20/21) & motions filed (4/20/21 to 6/2/21) reference post #704 here:
GUILTY - MN - George Floyd, 46, killed in police custody, Minneapolis, 25 May 2020 #20
6/24/21: Order denying motions for new trial & for Schwartz Hearing (re juror misconduct). 6/25/21 Update: Sentencing Hearing: Prosecution up with victim impact statements on video. Gianna Floyd (George's daughter). In person victim statements: Brandon Williams (nephew). Terrence Floyd (brother). Prosecutor addressed the cruel aggravating factors.Prosecution requested 360 months (30 years). Defense victim impact statements: Caroline Pawlenty (Chauvin's mother) with mitigating factors. Defense attorney Eric Nelson on mitigation statement. Asks for probation. Chauvin spoke briefly. Offered condolences to Floyd family. Judge sentenced Chauvin on count 1: Count 1 – 22½ years in prison (270 months) with 199 days already served, based on abuse of trust & partially cruelty shown to Floyd.
*Federal Grand Jury indicted & charged (5/7/21) Derek Michael Chauvin (44/now 45) for violated Floyd’s civil rights. Charged with violating Floyd's right to be free from unreasonable seizure, unreasonable force by a police officer & for failure to provide Floyd with medical care. Also indicted & charged (5/7/21) in a second indictment (stemming from the arrest & neck restraint of a 14-year-old boy in 2017) with Count 1 without legal justification held the teenager by the throat & struck the teenager multiple times in the head with a flashlight. Alleges that this offense included the use of a dangerous weapon-a flashlight & resulted in bodily injury to teenager. Count 2 charges that Chauvin held his knee on the neck & the upper back of teenager even after the teenager was lying prone, handcuffed & unresisting, also resulting in bodily injury.
Court info from 5/7/21 to 6/1/21 reference post #704 here:
GUILTY - MN - George Floyd, 46, killed in police custody, Minneapolis, 25 May 2020 #20
6/4/21 Update: Magistrate Judge Tony Leung said the four men would be arraigned Sept. 14, subject to any further orders from the court. A date for trial has not been set.
*Charged (7/22/20) with 6 counts of aiding & abetting taxes-false or fraudulent returns-filed with commissioner & 3 counts of aiding & abetting taxes-failure to file return, report, document. Omnibus hearing on 6/30/21.

 

[Niner]

For the week of Monday, June 28th thru Wednesday, June 30th (See July for the rest of the week).

Monday, June 28th:
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018, Lake Forest; found Jan. 9, 2018; he was stabbed 19 times in his neck; 14 times on the left, 5 on the right & 1 stab wound in his left knee) – *Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20/now 23) artrested & charged (1/17/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty (again on 11/9/18). $5M bail, bail revoked (11/9/18).
Could be sentenced from 26 years to life in prison without parole.
Trial set to begin on 6/28/21.
Court hearings from 2/2/18 thru 1/29/21 reference post #864 here:
Found Deceased - CA - Blaze Bernstein, 19, Lake Forest, 2 Jan 2018 #7 *Arrest*
3/19/21 Update: Hearing was held. Next pretrial hearing on 5/14/21. 5/14/21 Update: The trial of Woodward, accused of stabbing his former high school classmate Blaze Bernstein to death & burying him in a Lake Forest park, can begin in June, attorneys in the case said Friday. The June 28 trial date was in question because public defender Alison Worthington, one of Woodward’s lawyers, had a potential conflict with another trial. But on Friday, she told the judge she intends to be ready. Next trial set to begin on 6/28/21. A Pitchess motion hearing on 7/9/21. A Pitchess motion is a defendant's request for information contained in a law enforcement officer's personnel file. 1. When can defendants gain access to police misconduct.

*Trial set to begin (Blackwell case) (@ 1pm CT) - IN – Javon Blackwell (42), his sons Javon, Jr. (12) & Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) - for *Demetrius Jemere Jackson (25/now 27) arrested & charged (1/28/19) with 3 counts of murder, conspiracy to commit armed robbery & armed robbery in connection with 3 deaths. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
Trial set to begin on 6/28/21-Blackwell / Trial set to begin on 7/12/21-Sanders
9/21/20 Update: Trial has been rescheduled per court’s own motion to 2/22/21. Pretrial hearing on 1/21/20. 1/21/20 Update: Hearing was held. Next trial on 2/22/21.
2/22/21 Update: Trial has been continued per Court’s own motion. Next pretrial conference hearing on 5/27/21 & trial set to begin on 6/28/21. 5/28/21: Subpoena for D.L. Wolfe M.D. served. Next trial on 6/28/21. 6/10/21: Subpoena served for Deonte Jackson copy given to subject's spouse.
*Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 31) – Blackwell - had bench trial on 3/10/20-found guilty & sentenced on 4/3/20 to 200 years in prison. Appealed. Robbery: Pretrial hearing on 6/17/21. Sanders: Trial set to begin on 7/12/21.

*Trial continues (Day 21) (@ 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. (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 by end of July if not sooner. Defense has 2, possibly 3 witnesses (one is the defendant) & thinks 2 weeks for their case. End of August is estimate.
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 1-19 (5/18/21 thru 6/23/21) reference post #341 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
6/24/21 Thursday, Trial Day 20: State witnesses: Eric Van Dorn, FBI forensic accountant. Laraine Newman is back on the stand, now under cross-examination. Court out early today at 2:30pm. Trial continues on Monday, 6/28/21.

*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 8am MT) - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine (13) (last seen alive Nov. 18, 2012 when he arrived at airport, reported missing on Nov. 19, 2012, Vallecito; found about 8 miles up Middle Mountain Road, a dirt road that cuts through the San Juan National Forest, about 100 yards from the road, directly off an ATV trail on June 27, 2013 & Nov. 1, 2015 his skull was found by hikers about 5 miles from where his remains were found.) - *Mark Allen Redwine (50 @ time of crime/55/now 58), "father" indicted (6/20/17) & arrested & charged (7/2017) with 2nd degree murder & child abuse resulting in death. Plead not guilty. $750K bond.
Jury Trial began on 10/29/20 with jury selection & ended 11/5/20 after Judge Wilson declared mistrial on 11/9/20.
Re-Trial began on 6/14/21 with jury selection & ended 6/21/21 selecting the final 16 & trial will start with opening statements in the afternoon on 6/21/21 (skip 7/3 & 7/4 restart 7/6/21 thru 8/2/21). all @ 8a 12 jurors & 4 alternates (11 men & 5 women).
Previous court hearings from 9/10/17 thru 10/27/20 & Jury Selection (Day 1-6) 10/29/20 to 11/5/20 & 11/9/20 & info to 5/18/21 to 6/11/21 & new jury selection (Day 1-6) 6/14/21 to 6/21/21 & trial (Day 1-4) 6/21/21 to 6/24/21 reference post #838 here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
6/25/21 Friday, Trial begins (Day 5): Random tweets about messages.
See posts #855 & 859 for more info here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
State witnesses: Joe Clayton, CSI investigator. Rebecca Strut, CO Metro DNA Tech Lead/DNA Analyst.
See posts #861, 862, 863 (is about Cory) & 868 for more info here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
Rebecca Strut continued.
See posts #881, 884, 885, 886, 889, 891 & 892 for more info here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
Rebecca Strut continued. Sarah Miller, Sr. DNA analyst.
See posts #916, 917, 919 & 920 more info here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
People's exhibits see post 924 here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
Sarah Miller continued
See post #939 for more info here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
Sarah Miller continued. And Defense trial exhibits. And indictment
See posts 943, 947 & 960 for more info here:
Found Deceased - CO - Dylan Nicholas Redwine, 13, Vallecito, 19 Nov 2012 *father arrested*
Trial continues on Monday, 6/28/21.


Tuesday, June 29th:
*Sentencing Hearing (re child plus) (@ 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 of child abuse, 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.
Trial for murder & child abuse set to begin on 8/10/21 (thru 8/11/21)
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.
*Kayla Nicole Thomas (25/now 27) “mom” – Trial began on 6/9/21 & was found guilty of all 4 charges. Sentencing on 9/23/21.

*Trial continues (Day 16) (@ 8:30m PT) - UT - Peggy Sue Ellsworth Case (28) (disappeared July 8, 1988, Spanish Fork; found May 22, 2017 buried where Peggy & BF used to live) - *Michael Ignatius Kufrin (32 @ time of crime/61/now 64) (BF) - arrested (10/17/17), charged (7/17/17) & indicted (10/30/17) with 1st degree felony murder. Has not entered a plea. $250K Cash only bond.
Case was last seen leaving a party in Payson with Kufrin on July 9, 1988.
Trial began on 6/2/21. (will last 5 weeks). No court on Mondays.
Court info from 11/6/17 thru 5/11/21 & Jury selection (6/1/21) & Trial Day 1-14 (6/2/21 to 6/24/21) reference post #187 here:
UT - Peggy Case, 26, Spanish Fork, 9 July 1988 *Arrest in 2017*
6/25/21 Friday, Trial Day 15: No info available. Trial continues on Tuesday, 6/29/21.


Wednesday, June 30th:
*Aggravation & Mitigation Hearing (Day 1 of 3) (@ 9am CT) - NE - Sydney Loofe (24) (Nov. 15, 2017, Lincoln; found Dec. 4 & 5, 2017) – *Bailey M. Boswell (23/now 26) charged & indicted (6/11/18) & arraigned (8/6/18) with 1st degree murder & improper disposal of human remains & charged (3/1/19) & recharged (8/9/19) with 2 counts of conspiracy to commit murder. Plead not guilty. No bond. DA will seek DP.
Trial began with jury selection on 9/23/20 & trial began on 9/25/20. (thru 10/16/20). Saline County to Lexington, Dawson County for trial. Jurors: 8 men & 7 women. After alternates dismissed-Jurors: 8 men & 4 women for deliberations. Verdict reached on 10/14/20 with guilty on all charges.
Court info & Jury Selection (thru Day 2) & Trial (thru Day 13) 3/3/20, 9/23/20 thru 10/14/20 & court info from 10/21/20 thru 1/15/21 reference post #608 here:
GUILTY - NE - Sydney Loofe, 24, brutally murdered, Lincoln, 15 Nov 2017 #4
5/28/21 Update: Motions hearing on 6/2/21 @ 3:30pm. And aggravation & mitigation hearings begin on 6/30, 7/1 & 7/2/21.
*Aubrey C. Trail (51/now 53) – Found guilty of all charges 7/8/19. A 3-judge panel will hear penalty phase. 11/15/19: Judge denies Trail’s death penalty challenge. Judge denies motion for new trial. Sentenced on 6/9/21 to death.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Tuesday, June 29th:
*Pre-Sentencing Hearing (re child plus)-CONTINUED! (@ 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 of child abuse, 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. Pre-sentencing hearing on 8/10/21.
Trial for murder & child abuse set to begin on 8/10/21 (thru 8/11/21).
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.
6/29/21 Update: Pre-sentencing hearing on child charges has been moved to 8/10/21.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Monday, June 28th:
*Trial set to begin-CONTINUED! (@ 9am PT) – CA – Blaze Bernstein (19) (Jan. 2, 2018, Lake Forest; found Jan. 9, 2018; he was stabbed 19 times in his neck; 14 times on the left, 5 on the right & 1 stab wound in his left knee) – *Samuel Lincoln Woodward (20/now 23) arrested & charged (1/17/18) with 1 count of felony murder with a hate crime enhancement for killing someone because of their sexual orientation & sentencing enhancement-personal use of a knife. Plead not guilty (again on 11/9/18). $5M bail, bail revoked (11/9/18).
Could be sentenced from 26 years to life in prison without parole.
Trial was set to begin on 6/28/21 continued no further dates.
Court hearings from 2/2/18 thru 5/14/21 reference post #882 here:
Found Deceased - CA - Blaze Bernstein, 19, Lake Forest, 2 Jan 2018 #7 *Arrest*
6/28/21 Update: Trial has been continued. Pretrial hearing re trial setting conference & Pitchess motion hearing on 7/9/21.
Pitchess motion hearing on 7/9/21. A Pitchess motion is a defendant's request for information contained in a law enforcement officer's personnel file; when defendants can gain access to police misconduct.

 

[Niner]

Update!

Wednesday, June 23rd:
*Trial continues (Day 13)-VERDICT REACHED! (@ 8:30m PT) - UT - Peggy Sue Ellsworth Case (28) (disappeared July 8, 1988, Spanish Fork; found May 22, 2017 buried where Peggy & BF used to live) - *Michael Ignatius Kufrin (32 @ time of crime/61/now 64) (BF) - arrested (10/17/17), charged (7/17/17) & indicted (10/30/17) with 1st degree felony murder. Has not entered a plea. $250K Cash only bond.
Case was last seen leaving a party in Payson with Kufrin on July 9, 1988.
Trial began on 6/2/21 & ended 6/23/21. No court on Mondays.
Court info from 11/6/17 thru 5/11/21 & Jury selection (6/1/21) & Trial Day 1-13 (6/2/21 to 6/23/21) reference post #187 here:
GUILTY - UT - Peggy Case, 26, Spanish Fork, 9 July 1988 *Arrest in 2017*
6/23/21 Wednesday, Trial Day 13: Late Wednesday, a jury returned a guilty verdict against Kufrin, who in 2017 was charged with her murder. It took the jury four hours to end their deliberations. They found Kufrin guilty of 2nd degree murder. The offense carries a 1 to 15 year prison sentence. The judge set July 20 for sentencing.

 

[Niner]

Update! Court site was not giving much info - finally got an article.

Tuesday, June 29th:
*Trial continues-VERDICT REACHED! (@ CT) – TX – King Jay Davila (8 mos.) (reported missing Jan. 4, 2019, San Antonio; found Jan. 10, 2019 in a field wrapped in a blanket inside of a black backpack) – only for *Christopher Sampayo Davila (34/now 36) “father” arrested (1/10/19), charged (1/11/19), indicted (4/3/19) & arraigned (4/4/19) with injury to a child, child endangerment, tampering with evidence, & altering/destroying/concealing a human corpse. Indicted (4/3/19) with possession of a controlled substance & being a felon in possession of a firearm. Plead not guilty. $1.25M Bond.
Tried to stage a fake kidnapping. Police Chief William McManus said Davila was pressured by the evidence against him & ultimately confessed to burying his son in an open field. Investigators later found the burial site near Davila's Northeast Side home & recovered the baby's body on 1/10/19. On 5/18/20 Defense attorneys denied a 50-year plea deal offered by prosecutors, saying the punishment is too stiff.
Trial began on 5/24/21. Trials will take place in the 227th District Court by Judge Kevin O’Connell. Trial ended on 6/29/21 with a Guilty verdict & sentenced (6/29/21) to 40 years in prison.
Court info from 1/11/19 thru 3/29/21 & trial from 5/24/21 to 6/29/21 reference post #60 here:
Found Deceased - TX - King Jay Davila, 8 months, taken by a woman from the car, San Antonio, 4 Jan 2019 *Arrests* #2
6/29/21 Update: Davila was found guilty on a charge of injury to a child causing death in the 227th Criminal District Court. Davila pleaded no contest & was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Tuesday, 6/29/21. Davila must serve at least half of his sentence before he will be eligible for parole, officials said. Judge Kevin O’Connell took into consideration Davila’s other pending criminal charges of tampering with evidence by concealing a human corpse, as well as unrelated charges of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a controlled substance, according to the office of Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales. Davila’s sentence came after his attorneys rejected a 50-year plea deal offered to him in February.
*Angie Torres (45/now 47) (Davila’s cousin) – Case on hold. Last hearing on 5/24/21 awaiting trial.
*Beatrice Sampayo Davila (65/now 67) – Case on hold. Last hearing on 5/24/21 awaiting trial.