True Crime Archives - https://truthanddeliberation.com/tag/true-crime/ Wed, 12 Jun 2024 20:22:03 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 https://i0.wp.com/truthanddeliberation.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/cropped-Facebook-Profile-Image.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 True Crime Archives - https://truthanddeliberation.com/tag/true-crime/ 32 32 215267201 Guilty of Murder or Wrong Place, Wrong Time? https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/06/12/guilty-of-murder-or-wrong-place-wrong-time/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/06/12/guilty-of-murder-or-wrong-place-wrong-time/#respond Wed, 12 Jun 2024 20:21:59 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=449 Mich. v. Michael Jackson-Bolanos DETROIT, Mich. – The trial of Mich. V. Michael Jackson-Bolanos, charged with the murder

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Mich. v. Michael Jackson-Bolanos

DETROIT, Mich. – The trial of Mich. V. Michael Jackson-Bolanos, charged with the murder of Samantha Woll, began on June 11, 2024 with opening statements. The state laid out a lot of evidence in their opening statement, but the defense gave the jury a lot to think about.

Everyone Can Agree on This

Samantha Woll,
Detroit Synagogue Leader

Samantha Woll, a prominent member of her community, was found by a neighbor outside on her lawn, at 6:21 a.m. on October 21, 2023. Her body bloody, barefoot, and cold to the touch. A trail of blood lead from her body to her home, revealing a bloody scene. There was blood smeared on the walls and on the floor.  The Cause of death revealed at the autopsy was from eight stab wounds above the shoulders, focusing on Woll’s head and neck. This both state and defense agree on during their opening statements.

The State’s Opening Statement

“There is a reason we lock our doors at night when we go to sleep. It is because people who lurk in the night; people who could do us harm, and this case is about one such person,” the state begins their opening statement. “A person you will see on one particular night on the prowl in our community, looking for spaces that were not his to go into and things that were not his to take. The most important thing he ended up taking in that night was the life of a woman. A woman named Samantha Woll.”  

The state continues their opening with a tale of a fun night for Woll, a night spent at a wedding and returning home around 12:30 a.m. Her last outgoing text a “heart” emoji sent to a friend at 1:02 a.m. and appearing to go to bed sometime around 1:24 a.m. when her living room motion detector goes idle and the last activity on her phone between 1:29 a.m. and 1:35 a.m.

Something Woll may not have known, according to her front door sensor, it would appear that the door never closed after she returned home. A small mistake many have made in their time but, in this case, would lead to a tragic ending.

A picture of a thorough investigation by the homicide task force, which consists of the Detroit Police, Michigan State Police, ATF, and FBI. The investigation started open-ended and would take 6 weeks to narrow down. At which point, they had two suspects. Suspect 1 was an ex-boyfriend of Molly’s. Suspect 2, the defendant.

The ex-boyfriend spoke to police, willingly, the day after Woll was found dead. Then, on November 7, 2023, he called police during what is being described as a delusional panic attack. After an increased dosage in his depression meds and ingesting cannabis, he was convinced himself that he had killed Woll himself. This despite having no proof or memory of committing the act. No DNA or fingerprints belonging to the ex-boyfriend were found at the scene. Using cell phone data, investigators put him home on the night of her death.

Suspect 2 was a figure seen on camera footage from an elementary school near Woll’s building that picked up a figure in a nearby parking lot, tampering with cars. One of the cars had a slashed tire. This caught the attention of investigators and they looked for other cameras in the area. Able to track the figures motions, the FBI worked with T-Mobile to find devices following the trajectory. They were able it down to the defendant, Michael Jackson-Bolanos.

Jackson-Bolanos left his girlfriend’s home at 12:32 a.m. in Midtown Detroit the night of Woll’s death. At 1:44 a.m. he is in the location of the Lafayette Park neighborhood near Woll’s home. There he stayed about 18 minutes. He returned to his girlfriend’s home at 4:55 a.m. During the time he was out, he was wearing a North Face Jacket and a white backpack.

On November 30, 2023, the defendant was arrested and a search warrant for his girlfriend’s apartment was executed. During the search, officers found the North Face jacket worn on the night in question, with 2 spots of blood. After testing and comparing the DNA to Woll’s, it was concluded to a high probability that the DNA matched. During a search of the defendant’s car, the white backpack was also found. That too had blood on it that came back as a high probability match to the DNA of Woll. Jackson-Bolanos was unable to give an explanation for the blood found on the backpack and jacket.

The Defense’s Opening Statements

“It was not Michael Jackson-Bolanos,” defense said as they started their opening. “She was stabbed 8 times in the neck and back. That would indicate a crime of passion.” He went on to describe the scene and events of that night.

There were bruises and contusions on her face, evidence of a struggle in multiple rooms. There was a high concentration of blood in the hallway. This is indicative of a body having fallen and lying there for a period of time. All of this effort, and nothing of value was taken from the home.

The defendant admits to being in the area that night. He also told police of his having come upon the body and touching her to see if she was still alive. Would this not be a possible explanation for the spots of blood found on the jacket and backpack? The neighbor who found Woll lying outside touched the body to see if she was alive. If the investigators had collected his clothing and done a blood analysis, would they have found trace amounts of blood on him as well?

There were no footprints found in the blood from the defendant to indicate that he had walked around the scene. Given the bloody scene, wouldn’t “he have been covered in blood?” He made no attempt to discard any of the clothes he had worn that night. Yes, his girlfriend had washed the North Face jacket, but she washed it with a load of laundry as she would any other garment.

Yes, they found multiple knives both in the girlfriend’s home, and on the defendant himself, but they were all sent for analysis. None of the knives returned with evidence associating the defendant with the scene. The “only evidence” the state has connecting Jackson-Bolanos to the scene are trace spots of blood on the back of his sleeve. There was no blood on either his pants or his shoes.

Despite his body being photographed at the time of arrest, no signs of having been in a fight or struggle were visible. He made no attempt to avoid law enforcement. In fact, he contacted law enforcement himself several times in an attempt to find out when he could get his knives back.

The ex-boyfriend on the other hand, had already secured an attorney through his parents after he told them what he had done; a story, according to defense opening, he changed after speaking with his therapist. He had a camera system in his house, but law enforcement was unable to extract pictures from his camera due to either having been deleted or some other explanation. As for the cell phone placing him at home, his only alibi, would he have been smart enough to not have brought the phone with him to the scene?

This One’s for You to Decide

At first glance, this appears to be an open and closed case. That is, until the defense offered their opening statement. The statement started a little rocky, but quickly picked up and, in my opinion, was enough to make people stop and think. But that’s not for me to decide for you.

One tragic night. One murder victim. Two Suspects. One defendant, Michael Jackson-Bolanos. Is he guilty of murder or being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

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How I Survived My First Day in Prison https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/04/26/how-i-survived-my-first-day-in-prison/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/04/26/how-i-survived-my-first-day-in-prison/#respond Fri, 26 Apr 2024 17:11:17 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=420 by Azhdah Enga, Prison Journalism ProjectJanuary 14, 2024 My first day in prison was the worst day of

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by Azhdah Enga, Prison Journalism Project
January 14, 2024

My first day in prison was the worst day of my life, besides the day I was sentenced to 17 years. Before I touched down in prison I thought it was going to be like something out of the movies — long dark walkways outside of rusty cell doors with the paint peeling off. I thought everyone was going to be yelling and banging and trying to kill each other. 

It turns out there were no cells, no bars and no banging. Only buildings that looked like military dorms and two rows of tightly packed bunk beds and lockers, with 3 feet between me and the man on either side of me. I’m 6 feet, 2 inches tall. If I stand in the middle of the dorm and touch the tip of my middle finger to the nearest bunk bed, I can almost reach the opposite bunk bed in the other row.

I hadn’t been in prison for 15 minutes when I witnessed a guy get stabbed in the neck while I was standing in the medication line. It happened right behind me. I saw the aggressor and the victim. I immediately walked away without saying anything. I was shocked.

I didn’t know either man. But I knew for damn sure I didn’t want to be the guy with all the holes in his neck, or the guy who was probably about to spend the rest of his life in prison (if that wasn’t already the plan). The reality of where I was hit me like a ton of bricks. My anxiety shot through the roof.

When I got back to my living area, people were talking about what happened as if they were fans of rival football teams. I couldn’t believe how thrilled people were to see someone get hurt. I lay on my bunk and stared at the ceiling, trying to process the violence. I decided not to tell anyone what I saw. It wasn’t my business. 

Not long after that altercation, an old friend of mine from the county jail told me somebody wanted to fight me. I knew the guy he was talking about — our beef was old, childish. Even though I grew up fighting, I didn’t want to fight anybody anymore, especially in prison. But I also didn’t want anybody to think that I was scared. So I went over to another building across the yard to try and talk with him. 

When I found him, we exchanged a few words, and next thing I know I’m getting my head stomped into the ground by him. “How in the heck did I get here?” I asked myself. Then, to my surprise, somebody pulled the man off of me. I got up and shook off the kicks to my head and face. I squared off with the man and we fought again. And again. The fighting lasted about eight minutes. Honestly, I was pretty sure I was going to die, but I held my own. I escaped with a busted lip and a couple shoe prints on me. That was a win. 

Later that day, people kept coming up to me, praising me and giving me commissary items. The guy I fought was pretty big compared to my 160 pounds. 

The next day a corrections officer saw my face and shook their head. Another asked me if I had learned my lesson. Everybody assumed that because I was only 22 I was bound to get into trouble — that I’m the type who goes looking for it. I wasn’t though. If someone just talks smack to me, I ignore it. I only get active if somebody threatens my life or puts their hands on me. 

Oddly enough, after every fight I’ve been in, the guy who fought me always wants to be cool. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve become close friends with after a fight. I’ve been incarcerated over nine years now and still don’t understand this dynamic.

My first day in prison changed me in many ways. The paranoia inside is real. Prison is so unpredictable. The people around you, including the ones you don’t even know, are watching. Not every situation has to end in violence and not everybody has to be an enemy. The ones who are your enemies are the ones you choose to make your enemies. 

I don’t have issues with many people, but every day I wake up thinking that I might not live to see tomorrow. The best way to do your time is to be humble and stay focused on the end goal: your freedom.

This article first appeared on Prison Journalism Project and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Azhda Enga is a writer incarcerated in Arizona. He is using a pseudonym.

To read more articles written by incarcerated writers, check out these other articles:
Who Benefits From the Death Penalty? by Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun
Sending Teenagers to Prison Has Severe Consequences By Robert Schultz

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Defense Releases Alibi in Kohberger Case https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/04/18/defense-releases-alibi-in-kohberger-case/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/04/18/defense-releases-alibi-in-kohberger-case/#respond Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:31:23 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=414 In response to the state’s demand for an alibi, defense released the following on April 17, 2024. “Mr.

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In response to the state’s demand for an alibi, defense released the following on April 17, 2024.

“Mr. Kohberger was out driving in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022; as he
often did to hike and run and/or see the moon and stars. He drove throughout the area south of
Pullman, Washington, west of Moscow, Idaho including Wawawai Park.”

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Who Benefits From the Death Penalty? https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/04/15/who-benefits-from-the-death-penalty/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/04/15/who-benefits-from-the-death-penalty/#comments Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:30:32 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=404 by Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun, Prison Journalism ProjectApril 14, 2024 In late February, my state of Idaho tried to

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by Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun, Prison Journalism Project
April 14, 2024

In late February, my state of Idaho tried to execute a person for the first time in 12 years. According to an Idaho Statesman article, the execution team searched for an hour for a suitable vein to inject Thomas Creech with lethal drugs, but was unsuccessful. The execution was eventually aborted and he was sent back to death row. 

Creech has been incarcerated for nearly 50 years and on Idaho’s death row for close to 44 of those years. He has been convicted of five murders and received his death sentence after killing a disabled inmate in his prison in 1981. According to The Associated Press, he claimed to have killed as many as 50 people, but authorities believe the number of possible killings to be closer to a dozen people.  

As you can see, this man was once a bad person. “Was” is the key word in that sentence, because many people believe that Creech changed over close to five decades behind bars.

I have never met Creech, but I have spoken with a couple people who have, and they say he is a better man now — always polite, respectful and ready to help people in need. Creech is highly regarded at Idaho Maximum Security Institution, where he resides. Recently, I was being transported to an outside hospital for an MRI, and the corrections officers transporting me were having a conversation about Creech and how well-respected he was in the prison system. Even the judge who sentenced him to death and a former warden have supported taking him off death row.

Idaho Department of Correction Director Josh Tewalt told The Associated Press in February that some corrections officers have “grown up” with Creech.

“I don’t want to be dismissive of what he did and the countless people who were impacted by that in real significant ways,” Tewalt told the wire service before Creech’s scheduled execution. “At the same time, you also can’t be dismissive of the effect it’s going to have on people who have established a relationship with him. On Thursday, Tom’s not going to be there. You know he’s not coming back to that unit — that’s real. It would be really difficult to not feel some sort of emotion about that.”

I believe that a person can change for the better, even someone who might have killed close to 50 people. This belief has been shaped over the nearly 22 years that I have spent behind bars. I’ve seen others change, and I have changed myself. I started a new religion during my incarceration, in large part, because of discrimination I faced from churches as a gay man. One of the things we teach is not holding people’s past against them, but accepting them as they are now.    

I wish that we could view Creech’s life that way. But many people have said Creech deserves to be killed. What would that accomplish? Who would his killing serve? 

In this case, it might serve family members of Creech’s victims. At least two family members have publicly called for his execution, asking for closure. 

Yet, we don’t know how every family member feels; and if some disagree with his execution, then how do we decide whose feelings are more valid? 

When I read interviews of victims’ families, it often sounds like they want to get on with their lives more than they want to see someone die. In several instances, family members of victims have spoken out against executions, according to a database from Death Penalty Information Center. 

Sometimes, they believe the inmate can be rehabilitated. Sometimes, they believe life in prison is the right punishment — still harsh, but providing the perpetrator an opportunity to live. Others cite the fact that killing another human won’t bring their loved one back. 

One quote in the database, from the daughter of a murder victim, stood out to me: “I cannot imagine what good it would do to kill a person who is incarcerated and away from the public. No one would be made safer. However, I can think of many people who would be harmed by his death — including his innocent family members and the prison workers who would be asked to carry out his execution. Not a single person would be healed.”

Other family members against executions have said they do not want to contribute to the racial disparities present in executions. As of early 2023, about 55% of people on death row were Black or Latino, compared to 33% of the U.S. population. There’s another glaring statistic from Death Penalty Information Center: “More than 75% of death row defendants who have been executed were sentenced to death for killing white victims, even though in society as a whole about half of all homicide victims are African American.”

Beyond racial imbalances, executing someone has often been torturous — and far from humane — even in modern times. One researcher identified  276 botched executions between 1890 and 2010 — 7% of all executions. For 2022, the percentage of botched executions was clocked at a whopping 35%.  

People have been poked with needles for hours, like Creech. In one case, a man’s arm was cut open to insert an IV. Other people have suffered in pain for extended periods of time, instead of experiencing the quick death they were promised.

Alabama, a notoriously tough-on-crime state, called for a moratorium on executions in 2022 while it investigated multiple botched executions. But earlier this year, the state returned to executions by killing Kenneth Smith with a new method: nitrogen suffocation. 

The state has claimed that Smith’s execution went smoothly, while witnesses have said he writhed violently in pain for minutes. Mississippi, Oklahoma and Louisiana also have approved the new form of execution, and other states could follow. 

We had a chance to reconsider the inhumanity of executions; but instead, we just moved forward and found a new way to kill people. 

I am not necessarily protesting the death penalty categorically; but if the state is going to carry out killings, then it should explain why those killings are necessary and why they benefit society.

The specter of dying as a punishment for killing someone has also not stopped murders. If a person is intent on taking a life, they are probably not going to stop and say to themselves, “I might be put to death for this.” Either they believe they will get away with killing someone or they don’t care about the consequences. It doesn’t make sense to kill someone to show that killing shouldn’t be done. 

In my view, state executions just introduce pain and suffering into more people’s lives. And if it’s true that “hurt people hurt people,” as the saying goes, then we are contributing to further harm down the road.

Creech’s next execution attempt has not yet been scheduled, but the state will try again eventually.

(Additional reporting by PJP)

This article first appeared on Prison Journalism Project and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun is a writer incarcerated in Idaho.

More by Dennis “Abbadunamis” Mintun

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Pre-trial Motion for James Crumbley, Father of Oxford High School Shooter https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/02/23/pre-trial-motion-for-james-crumbley-father-of-oxford-high-school-shooter/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2024/02/23/pre-trial-motion-for-james-crumbley-father-of-oxford-high-school-shooter/#respond Fri, 23 Feb 2024 11:52:33 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=387 OXFORD, Mi. – Represented by Attorney Marielle Lehman, James Crumbley appeared in court yesterday after a motion was

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OXFORD, Mi. – Represented by Attorney Marielle Lehman, James Crumbley appeared in court yesterday after a motion was filed to excluded three of the witnesses the prosecution plans to call.

Prosecution plans to call two former Oxford High School students to testify about what they witnessed in the hallway during the shooting on November 30, 2021. Prosecution argued that the students give a unique perspective given that they are the only two surviving shooting victims from the hallway. Defense argued the testimony is irrelevant; the only purpose being to “inflame the jury” and would be “highly prejudicial.” Prosecution also plans to call the former owner of the gun used in the shooting.

Judge Cheryl Matthews said that while she previously was against the testimony of the former gun owner, she now feels that he “may have information on the condition of the cable lock” and will allow the testimony. Matthews is taking more time to decide whether to allow the testimony of the two former students.

James Crumbley is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter related to the shooting at Oxford High School by his son, Ethan Crumbley, who is currently serving a sentence of life in prison. His wife, Jennifer Crumbley, was found guilty last month of four counts of manslaughter. Crumbley’s trial is set to begin on March 5.

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Court Grants Motion to Remove Media Cameras from Kohberger Hearings and Trial https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/11/20/court-grants-motion-to-remove-media-cameras-from-kohberger-hearings-and-trial/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/11/20/court-grants-motion-to-remove-media-cameras-from-kohberger-hearings-and-trial/#respond Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:14:28 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=376 MOSCOW, Id – Judge John C. Judge published his ruling in the matter of the motion filed by

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MOSCOW, Id – Judge John C. Judge published his ruling in the matter of the motion filed by the defendant, Bryan C. Kohberger, on August 24, 2023, asking that cameras be prohibited in the courtroom. A motion to which The Associated Press filed a motion in opposition of removing cameras from the courtroom.

The press argued that “continuing to allow audio/visual coverage of the proceedings is the only way to ensure that the many community members affected by these crimes throughout the University of Idaho, Moscow, the State of Idaho, and the cities in which the victims’ family members reside have an opportunity to see and hear the proceedings for themselves.”

After the arrest of Kohberger on December 30, 2022, media coverage quickly focused on Kohberger and continues to be flooded with articles and posts focused on Kohberger. This coverage raised concerns surrounding Kohberger’s right to a fair trail by an impartial jury. The court recognizes “the high-profile nature of the case and the extensive coverage it has received, along with the need to minimize possible pretrial prejudice.”

The defense presented examples in their motion of media cameras zooming in on Kohberger despite the Court’s against this practice, instead ordering they capture the courtroom in its entirety. “It is the intense focus on Kohberger and his every move, along with adverse headlines and news articles, that leads the Court to conclude that continued photograph and video coverage inside the courtroom by the media should no longer be permitted.”

Both the state and defense are in agreement with the need to prohibit cameras from the courtroom. The state arguing concern of “vulnerable victims and witnesses” that may be called to testify in either hearings and/or the trial. Practices by the media thus far leaves no confidence that they won’t show these victims and witnesses, despite any ruling by the court.

It is with these reasonings, as laid out in the judge’s order, that he has banned media cameras, video and still, from the courtroom. He will, however, continue to allow a court operated video system to be operated and that live video will be live streamed on the Court’s YouTube channel.

Click link to go the Court’s YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAOFrQpvtre9HRSzhY-zhCA

Related Reading:
Pennsylvania Releases Search Warrant – (truthanddeliberation.com)

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Timothy Ferriter Sentenced in Child Abuse Case https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/11/17/timothy-ferriter-sentenced-in-child-abuse-case/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/11/17/timothy-ferriter-sentenced-in-child-abuse-case/#respond Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:12:31 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=368 PALM BEACH, Fl – After being found guilty of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment, and neglect of a

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PALM BEACH, Fl – After being found guilty of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment, and neglect of a child, Timothy Ferriter was sentenced on November 16, 2023.

Judge Howard J. Coates, Jr. listened to hours of testimony both in favor of and against Ferriter, and arguments made by both the defense attorney and prosecution. Among the testimony, there was the victim, the defendant’s adopted son Ronan Ferriter, and his eldest child, Fiona Ferriter. Both children spoke on behalf of the state.

Fiona Ferriter described her father as, “a stone statue of a parent.” She talked about the affect the abuse on her younger brother had on her and her other siblings, along with the fear they lived in not knowing when, or if, their father would turn on them.

Ronan Ferriter spoke mostly of love and forgiveness. “I came here today to see your face again. It may be the last, so let’s make this right,” he began as he addressed the defendant, his father, and the court. He went on to speak of the good he seen in his father. “I still love you, and I always will love you, until the end of my days…I just wish you the best. I want to say I will always love you until the end of my days. I just with you the best. I want to say you were everything I needed all along. I want you to be happy whether it is with me or not.”

He then addressed the court in asking for the judge to not go too harsh on his father. “My father was a good person; he just made a very big mistake. Judge Coates, I wish you could sentence my father to 6 months jail time, and 5 years probation.”

The defendant addressed the court as well. He apologized to his children that they have “had to go through this.” He went on to speak of his Catholic faith and how things are done for the benefit of the children. “Everything I have [done] was out of love.” Missing from his address was an acceptance of his actions and them being wrong. He showed no remorse or apology for what he had done, something the judge would later point out.

After listening to all the arguments, evidence, and testimony, the judge ultimately sentenced Ferriter to 60 months, with 37 days credit time, incarceration at the state prison for all three charges, to run concurrent, 5 years of probation on the first charge. He is to have no contact with the 3 older children until age of majority, after which the children may choose to have contact with the defendant. Ferriter is to have 40 hours of anger management course and 40 hours of parenting course. Any contact the youngest child is to be supervised with adoptive mother and is to have no part of the discipline of the child.

Ferriter is to have no contact with any of the children until all probation conditions have been completed. Ferriter is to go through a mental health evaluation and treatment and be fitted with a monitor prior to release from the department of corrections. As a condition of probation, he is charged with costs totally $1,900.

Judge Howard Coates, Jr. granted a motion to hold the defendant in custody of Palm Beach Sherriff’s Office until a hearing on appellate bond can be held.

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Commonwealth Compelled to Turn Over Discovery https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/11/03/commonwealth-compelled-to-turn-over-discovery/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/11/03/commonwealth-compelled-to-turn-over-discovery/#comments Fri, 03 Nov 2023 00:21:07 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=362 GREENSBURG, Pa. – Lauren and Jacob Maloberti, charged with the death of their 5-year-old adopted son, appeared in

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GREENSBURG, Pa. – Lauren and Jacob Maloberti, charged with the death of their 5-year-old adopted son, appeared in today. Her for a motion hearing and pre-trial conference, him for a pre-trial conference.

At 9:37 a.m. Lauren was brought into courtroom 6 of the Westmoreland County Courthouse. Jacob followed 5 minutes later. At first appearance, she comes out shackled, smiling, and waving. Her long, reddish pink hair draping down her back. After being taken to her seat, she continues to smile, act flirty, and mouth “I love you” to her family in the galley. He comes out, shackled and subdued. He appears quiet, closed, and timid.

The cases of The Commonwealth vs. Lauren Maloberti and Jacob Maloberti are called together at 9:45. Defense counsel of Lauren Maloberti begins with a motion to compel discovery, claiming the commonwealth has yet to hand over the additional medical files needed for their expert to complete his report. The state acknowledges the need to get together the pediatric medical records of Landon Maloberti, the alleged victim, and phone records.

After some back and forth, Judge Mears agrees that the “commonwealth has to use due diligence at all times” but does not “see a need for a discovery schedule.” Jacob’s defense counsel agrees with the judge the same goes for her client as well, and a thirty-day continuance is granted. The defendants are led out of the courtroom and that concludes today’s hearing.

To read more on the Maloberti case:

Parents Charged in Murder of Five-Year-Old Adoptive Son – (truthanddeliberation.com)

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Sheriff’s Deputy Found Murdered In Her Home https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/10/15/sheriffs-deputy-found-murdered-in-her-home/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/10/15/sheriffs-deputy-found-murdered-in-her-home/#respond Sun, 15 Oct 2023 23:43:08 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=353 CRESCENT CITY, Ca – On October 12, 2023, Sheriff’s Deputy Deanna Esmaeel was found dead in her home.

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Deputy Deanna Esmaeel

CRESCENT CITY, Ca – On October 12, 2023, Sheriff’s Deputy Deanna Esmaeel was found dead in her home. After Deputy Esmaeel failed to show up for work or answer her phone, a coworker was sent to do a welfare check. That’s when her body was found in her North Bank Road home.

Esmaeel and son, Marty (from York’s IG post)

Esmaeel was 67. She joined the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office in 2021. Her son, Marty York, posted on Instagram after learning of her death, “This is the hardest post I’ll ever have to write, but I found out from the sheriff department last night that my mother was murdered by a man she was seeing. The emotions I have are horrible right now between rage, vengeance, crying.”

Esmaeel’s 54-year-old boyfriend, Daniel James Walter (aka Edward Patrick Davies) was taken into custody in Curry County, Oregon on Friday, October 13, after a brief manhunt. He has been charged with 1 count of murder and is being held in the custody of the Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office. Jail records show a $1 million bail.

Details of Esmaeel’s death have not been released. “At this time, we are unable to release further details as this is an ongoing homicide investigation,” said the sheriff’s department.

Del Norte County Sherriff Garrett Scott released a statement of condolences, “We are all deeply heartbroken with the loss of Deput Esmaeel. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and coworkers.”

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Parents Charged in Murder of Five-Year-Old Adoptive Son https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/08/06/parents-charged-in-murder-of-five-year-old-adoptive-son/ https://truthanddeliberation.com/2023/08/06/parents-charged-in-murder-of-five-year-old-adoptive-son/#comments Sun, 06 Aug 2023 22:57:46 +0000 https://truthanddeliberation.com/?p=314 Delmont, PA – On the evening of January 30, 2023, five-year-old Landon Maloberti was brought to AHN Hempfield

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Landon Maloberti

Delmont, PA – On the evening of January 30, 2023, five-year-old Landon Maloberti was brought to AHN Hempfield Hospital, unconscious. A week later, on the evening of February 7, he would be dead. On July 27, Landon’s adoptive mother, Lauren Maloberti, and her husband, Jacob Maloberti, were arrested and charged in relation to his death.

“Tragically, Landon suffered abuse and trauma over the span of his short life. We intend to prosecute this case with the dignity and honor Landon deserves,” said D.A. Nicole Ziccarelli

Lauren & Jacob Maloberti, charged in the death of Landon

A forensic examination revealed previous injuries and evidence of abuse prior to the death of Landon. According to a press release by the Westmoreland County District Attorney, severe child abuse allegations against the parents were being investigated by Westmoreland County detectives and Delmont Police since January 2023.

“In the 25 years I have been working for the Delmont Police Department, we have never faced an incident like this,” said Delmont Police Chief, T.J. Klobucar

Both Lauren and Jacob Maloberti have been charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of children, two counts of aggravated assault, and criminal conspiracy. They were arraigned on July 28 and are due back in court on August 8 for the preliminary hearing. This remains and ongoing and active investigation.

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