For the week of Monday, July 26th thru Friday, July 30th:
Monday, July 26th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 9am ET) - FL –
Saad Kawaf (39) (May 17, 1999, Dearwood, Jacksonville) –
for *Melissa Jo Schafer (aka Schofer) (29 @ time of crime/51/now 52) arrested (7/2/20 in Missouri) & booked & charged (7/23/20) & arraigned (8/13/20) with 2nd degree felony murder, felony kidnapping, armed robbery, armed robbery with assault or battery & aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Plead not guilty. Held without bond.
12/18/20: Plead guilty to 5 counts of murder & aggravated battery. Will be testifying against her ex-husband.
Case info & court info from 3/24/21 thru 4/21/21 reference post #68 here:
FL - Saad Kawaf, 39, killed by Sheriff’s Officer, Jacksonville, May 1999 *DNA Arrest in 2020*
5/19/21 Update: Present: Judge Mark Borello, Asst. State attorney Melissa Nelson, Asst. public defender Charles Cofer & defendant not present, waived appearance. Next status conference hearing on 6/16/21. 6/16/21 Update: Present: Judge Mark Borello, Asst. State attorney Melissa Nelson, Asst public defender Charles Cofer, defendant not present-appearance waived. Next sentencing hearing to be set on 7/26/21.
*William Robert Baer, Jr. (43 @ time of crime/64/now 65) – Next pretrial conference hearing on 7/26/21.
*Plea Hearing (@ am ET) – MI –
Emma Rose Bingaman (2) (July 30, 2018, Mt. Morris Township; died from torture & abuse, weighed less than 10 lbs.) –
only for *George Bingaman (32/now 35) arrested (7/30/18), charged & arraigned (8/2/18) with 1st degree felony murder, 1st degree child abuse, torture & 2 counts of 1st degree child abuse committed in front of another child. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
4 yr old girl & 1 yr old boy removed & placed in temporary foster care.
Jury trial was set to begin on 1/20/21-cancelled.
*
Destiny Danielle Bingaman (23/now 26) arrested (7/30/18), charged & arraigned (8/2/18) with 1st degree felony murder, 1st degree child abuse, torture & 2 counts of 1st degree child abuse committed in front of another child. Plead not guilty. Held without bail.
Court info from 5/6/19 thru 5/14/21 reference post #134 here:
MI - Emma Rose Bingaman, 2, died after torture & abuse, Mt. Morris Township, 30 July 2018
6/30/21 Update: Destiny (again) plead guilty. Motion by APA Poulos to amend Count 1 to 2nd degree murder. Motion heard & granted. Defendant will plead guilty to Count 1 as amended. In turn, People will dismiss Counts 2-5. Sentence agreement: The People do not object to the Cobbs' proposal for a 162 month (13½ years) minimum sentence. No sentence enhancement, no consecutive sentencing, no HYTA/7411. Restitution as determined by the court. Court sets sentencing date on 9/3/21 @ 9am. 7/14/21 Update: George: Pretrial hearing rescheduled to 7/21/21.
7/21/21 Update: George: APA Smith, Attorney Ewing & defendant (in jail) are present. Parties have reached a peal deal. Counsel requested plea hearing date be set. Next plea hearing on 7/26/21.
*Sentencing Hearing (
Nicole’s case) (@ 10am CT) – IN –
Nicole Lynn Bowen (30) (missing March, 29, 2019, Jefferson Township, Newton County, found March 30, 2019) –
for *Talitha Ann Beckley (36/now 38) arrested (4/5/19) &
charged (3/29/19) with felony count of assisting a criminal. Plead not guilty. $25K bond. In Rockville Correctional Facility; earliest possible release date: 3/5/21 serving time for a burglary. 12/21/20: Once released from DOC, she is to remain in custody of NC Sheriff & begin her case in Newton County. Bonded out $2500 cash on 3/8/21.
Trial was set to begin on 7/26/21 was vacated as Beckley agreed to a plea deal. Sentencing on 7/26/21.
Court info from 5/13/20 thru 5/28/21 reference post #846 here:
GUILTY - IN - Newton County, Fem, 30 Mar 2019 - Nicole Bowen
6/28/21 Update: Commenced & concluded. Order on Hearing: Plea agreement; vacating jury trial on 7/26/21 & resetting for imposition of sentencing on 7/26/21 @ 10am. 6/30/21: Disposition sent electronically to Indiana State Police.
*Charged with burglary, possession of meth & theft. Pulaski County
Court hearings for 5/27/21 thru 6/15/21 reference post #859 here:
GUILTY - IN - Newton County, Fem, 30 Mar 2019 - Nicole Bowen
6/21/21: Order on Fact Finding hearing held on 6/14/21 was signed & approved by Judge Welker on 6/17/21 & is entered this date. Fact finding hearing on State's Petition to Revoke Defendant's Probation on 7/15/21.
7/15/21 Update: State appears by Pros. Kelly Gaumer. Chief Probation Officer Christine Allen appears. The Def. Beckley DOES NOT APPEAR. Amber Garrison, court-appointed counsel for the Defendant appears. This matter was scheduled for a Continuation of the Fact Finding Hearing on the State of Indiana's Petition to Revoke Probation, as filed on 4/22/21. Counsel Garrison advises the Court that she has made attempts to contact the Defendant after the last hearing in this case & has been unable to communicate with her. Pros. Gaumer orally requests that the active bench warrant that was issued on 6/15/21 remain active & that no bond be set until the Defendant is produced into open court. Granted. Pros. Gaumer further advises the Court that an Initial Hearing needs to be conducted on the State's Second Petition to Revoke Probation, as filed on 6/15/21. The Court will schedule an IH on the State's Second Pet. to Revoke Defendant's Probation when the Defendant is returned into open court on the service of the bench warrant.
*Ashley N. Garth (26/now 27) – Nicole case: 6/18/20: Plead guilty, Plea agreement withdrawn. Trial set to begin on 5/18 & ended 5/21/21 – guilty on all charges. Sentenced on 6/9/21 to 48 years for Murder, 30 years for conspiracy to commit murder & 3 years for assisting a criminal - charges run concurrently. Earliest possible release date: 4/16/2056.
*Garrett Kenneth Kirts (21/now 22) – Newton County: Nicole’s Case #56D01-1904-MR-000367. 9/4/20: Plead guilty. Sentenced on 1/11/21 to 55 years in prison.
*Christopher Channing Mathis (27/now 28) – 9/18/20: Plead guilty & sentenced to time served (912 days). Out of jail. Cooperating with White County on Hanish case.
*Jasmine Nicole Parker (34/now 36) – 10/8/19: Plead guilty. According to the plea agreement, Parker also will serve four years in prison for being a habitual offender, based on felony convictions in 2018 for unlawful possession of a syringe in Jasper County & in 2004 for burglary in Tippecanoe County. Earliest release date 1/4/23.
*Sentencing Hearing (
Robbery Case) (@ 10am CT) - IN –
Javon Blackwell (42), his sons
Javon, Jr. (12) &
Jayzon (11) (Dec. 30, 2018, Marion) –
only for *Lemere Joseph Jones (29/now 31) 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.
Bench Trial began on 3/10/20-Blackwell-found guilty of all charges; sentenced on 4/3/20 to 200 years in prison. 4/8/20: Appealed sentencing.
*Charged with robbery & possession of firearm at Family Dollar store on 12/23/18.
Trial was to begin on 7/19/21 for Robbery, but plead guilty instead.
Court info from 6/10/19 thru 6/18/21 reference post #306 here:
IN - Javon Blackwell, 42, Javon Jr., 12, & Jayzon, 11, fatally shot, Marion, 30 Dec 2018 *Arrests*
7/19/21 Monday, Trial Day 1: 7/19/21 Update: Jury trial was cancelled. Reason: Agreement of parties. Jones plead guilty. Sentencing is scheduled on 7/26/21 @ 10am.
See post #306 for info on IN - *Maurtreyviaum “Troy” Sanders (19) (Nov. 6, 2018, Marion) – *Lemere Joseph Jones – trial 1/10/22
*Trial set to begin (@ 9am PT) – WA –
Hazel Journey Holman (3) (Nov. 27, 2019, Bellingham) - *Kamee Nicole Dixon (27/now 28) (Father’s GF) arrested (12/5/19), charged (12/6/19), indicted (12/9/19) & arraigned (12/13/19) with homicide by abuse (domestic violence) & 2nd degree murder (domestic violence). Plead not guilty. $1M bond.
Trial set to begin on 7/26/21.
Court info from 12/6/19 thru 7/6/21 reference post #75 here:
WA - Hazel Holman, 3, murdered by dad's girlfriend, Bellingham, 27 Nov 2019 *Arrest*
7/12/21 Update: Next Show Cause/Contempt hearing on 7/15/21. 7/12/21: Defendants list of witnesses (4th Amended). 7/13/21: Ashlee Barnes' Motion to shorten time; Ashlee Barnes' Motion to Quash or modify subpoena & change place of taking deposition. Barnes' affidavit of Probable Cause; Zachary Davies' affidavit of Probable Cause. 7/15/21 Update: Show Cause/Contempt & motion hearings held. Next jury trial on 7/26/21 & Subpoena hearing on 7/29/21.
*Trial continues (Day 34) (@ 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 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 1-33 (5/18/21 thru 7/21/21) reference post #435 here:
CA - Susan Berman, 55, fatally shot, Los Angeles, 23 Dec 2000 *Arrest*
7/22/21 Thursday, Trial: No trial for today. Trial continues on Monday, 7/26/21.
*Trial continues with Jury Selection (Day 2) (
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 began on 7/23/21 with Jury selection & trial to start on 7/26/21 (will last 3 weeks thru 8/17/21).
Court info from 2/28/20 thru 7/16/21 reference post #291 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
7/23/21 Friday, Jury Selection Day 1: Jury selection started Friday in Douglas County; opening statements are expected Tuesday, 7/27/21. Eighteenth Judicial District Attorney John Kellner presiding. Jury selection continues on Monday, 7/26/21.
*CO –
Patricia Louis Smith (50) (Jan. 10, 1984, Lakewood) - *Alexander Christopher Ewing (25 @ time of crime/58/now 62)
charged (Jefferson County in CO on 8/10/18) & arraigned (2/26/21) with 4 counts of 1st degree murder & 2 counts of committing a crime of violence. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Jefferson County
DNA genetic profile match in CODIS. Ewing is serving a 8 to 40 year sentence in Nevada. Waiting for extradition to CO. Extradited on 2/28/20.
Trial set to begin on 10/18/21 (thru 11/15/21)
Court hearings from 10/2/18 thru 4/16/21 reference post #291 here:
CO - Bruce, 27, Debra, 26, & Melissa Bennett, 7, murdered, Aurora, 16 Jan 1984 *inmate arrest 2019*
6/18/21 Update: 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 5) (@ 9:30am ET) - SC -
Samantha "Sami" Josephson (21) (last seen on video March 29, 2019 @ ~1:30am, Columbia, found Friday (3/29/21) afternoon in a rural area by turkey hunters in a field near a wooded area about 40 feet off a dirt road along Black Bottom Road close to the town of New Zion in Clarendon County) - *Nathaniel David Rowland (24/now 27) arrested & charged (3/30/19) & indicted (4/18/19) with murder, kidnapping, possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime, refusal to stop for police command, & possession of 28g or less of marijuana. Plead not guilty. Bond denied.
Trial began 7/19/21 with jury selection & ended 7/20/21. Trial started on 7/20/21. Jury is 7 women & 5 men & Alternates: 3 women & 1 man. 10 women & 6 men (8 people are Black, 2 people are Hispanic, 1 person is Indian & 5 people are white).
Case & court info from 3/30/19 thru 4/20/21 & Jury selection (Day 1-2) 7/19-/20/21 & Trial (Day 1-3) 7/20/21-7/22/21 reference post #660 here:
Found Deceased - SC - Samantha Josephson, 21, Columbia, thought she was getting into Uber, 29 Mar 2019 *Arrest* #2
7/23/21 Friday, Trial Day 4: State witnesses: Danny Conyers, financial crimes investigator (retired) with Wells Fargo fraud dept. Showed CCTVs footage outside of bank ATM. 2 attempts were made on ATM card with incorrect pin #; at another bank where the same person tried to use ATM 9 times. Destiny Catina, former gf. Eric Grabsky, former SLED agent & cellular location analysis expert, explaining to jurors technical issues & acronyms in lead up to talking about what phones of Josephson & Rowland show about their location the night Josephson disappeared. Kimberly Mears is a forensic scientist for SLED, fingerprint analyst. Verona Herrera, used to work for SLED, evidence processing technician & forensic serologist. Rachel Nguyen, works for SLED as forensic serologist. Ryan DeWane, DNA scientist for SLED. Expert in DNA analysis & serology. Results: Samantha's DNA found under defendant's fingernails (right hand), but Rowland's DNA was NOT found under Samantha's fingernails; Samantha's & defendant's DNA found on flip-flop in trunk of car; Samantha's DNA found on passenger back seat of car; Samantha's DNA found on front seat headres; Samantha's DNA found on front seat seat-belt; Samantha's DNA on black gloves & paper towels found in white Family Dollar bag discarded in trash; the soles of child's shoes found in his girlfriend's closet have Samantha's DNA on them; Rowland's pants has Samantha's & his DNA on them; Rowland's utility tool has Samantha's DNA on it; hair on the multi tool was hers.
Judge appointed the jury foreperson. Trial continues at 9:30am on Monday, 7/26/21.
Wednesday, July 28th:
*Sentencing Hearing (@ 4pm 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 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:
GUILTY - CO - Makayla Roberts, 10, & Hannah Marshall, 8, slain, Norwood, June 2017 *Arrests*
6/23/21 Wednesday, Trial Day 7: Closing arguments done. Jury deliberated for a half hour & returned 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.
Thursday, July 29th:
*Plea Hearing (@ 9:15am CT) – TX –
Bryson Edwards (3) (Jan. 12, 2019, Dallas, stabbed by father; mom injured, fled apt with 7 year old girl) - *Brandon Demone Edwards (35/now 37) arrested (1/12/19), indicted & arraigned (1/28/19) on capital murder of a person under 10 yrs old & aggravated assault with a weapon. Plead not guilty. $1M bond (murder) $750K bond (assault). Out on bond.
Trial began on 7/15/21 & ended on 7/21/21 with a mistrial.
Court info from 1/28/19 thru 6/29/21 & trial (Day 1-4) 7/15/21 to 7/21/21 reference post #67 here:
MISTRIAL - TX - Bryson Edwards, 3, stabbed to death by father, mother injured, Dallas, 12 Jan 2018
7/21/21 Update: Next plea hearing on 7/29/21.
*Sentencing Hearing (
Blackwell case) (@ 11am 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 began on 6/28/21 & ended 7/1/21-Blackwell-Guilty on all charges / Trial set to begin on 1/10/22-Sanders
Court hearings from 9/21/20 thru 6/10/21 & trial from 6/28/21 thru 7/1/21 (Day 1-4) reference post #262 here:
IN - Javon Blackwell, 42, Javon Jr., 12, & Jayzon, 11, fatally shot, Marion, 30 Dec 2018 *Arrests*
7/2/21 Friday, Trial Day 5: Closing arguments by both sides. Jury started deliberations. Jackson has been found guilty on all counts. Counts 1-5. Count 6 was dismissed by prosecution. 1) Murder, 2) Murder, 3) Murder, 4) Robbery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury - Injury to someone other than a defendant, 5) Armed Robbery-Taking property by force or threatening use of force while armed, & 6) Unlawful Poss. of a Firearm by Serious Violent Felon. Informal discussion hearing on 7/7/21 to determine sentencing date. 7/2/21: Preliminary instructions filed & final instructions filed. 7/6/21: Order on Jury trial.
7/7/21 Update: Sentencing hearing on 7/29/21.