Friends and neighbors-

Today, Ilyona Carter, former operations manager for Melanoma Research Alliance, a local cancer research non-profit, was sentenced to six months in jail after pleading guilty to theft over $10,000 and identity theft over $500. Ms. Carter stole more than $25,000 dollars from the organization and several of its donors and used that money to pay for things such as her son’s school lunches, U-Haul rental fees as well as rent for her apartment.

Theft of any nature is a deplorable offense, but when a trusted person uses his or her position of power to steal from the largest private funder of Melanoma research, thus damaging the credibility of the organization and the trust of its donors, it is absolutely inexcusable.

In addition to her six-month jail sentence, Ms. Carter will also serve five years of probation and must repay the $25,060.02 she stole from the cancer research organization.

UPCOMING SENTENCING HEARINGS

You may remember the case of 65-year-old James Bonnett, the man found guilty, for a second time, of the 1972 murder of his wife Diana. Mr. Bonnett was scheduled to be sentenced today, but that hearing will now take placeDecember 4, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.

Mr. Bonnett had been convicted in 1972, but received a new trial after the decision in Unger v. Maryland found that all the defendants from the 1970s whose judge told the jury that the instructions on the law were “advisory only” could have another opportunity at a post-conviction hearing.

Prince George’s County has 18 cases that are eligible for a new trial as a result of the Unger ruling.  Eight of those cases have been resolved.  The state chose to take this case to trial because of Bonnett’s lack of remorse for the killing and his poor institutional record, which includes an escape attempt.  This is the first Unger case to go to trial in the state.

On June 21, 1972, Bonnett went to see his wife at her parent’s home in Capitol Heights after she had obtained a protective order against him the day before.  He entered her parent’s home through a back door, went into her bedroom where he pulled a sawed-off shotgun from his pants and ultimately shot her once in the chest at close range.

Bonnett was convicted of first degree murder and use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence.

Also, Travon Bennett, the man convicted of the 2012 murder of Marckel Ross, was scheduled to be sentenced today, but that sentence has been continued to October 31, 2014.

Mr. Ross was killed during a robbery attempt as he walked to Central High School on September 11, 2012.  When Mr. Ross refused to give Mr. Bennett what he wanted, Mr. Bennett shot him in the chest and fled.

Mr. Bennett was arrested on October 31, 2012 for an unrelated robbery and a search of the home he was living in turned up a gun that was later proven to be the gun that killed Mr. Ross.

During the trial, prosecutors were able to show that, while two other individuals besides Mr. Bennett had access to the gun, he was the only one in the area of the murder around the time it occurred and he was also the only one without a credible alibi.

Mr. Bennett was convicted of second degree murder, felony murder, attempted robbery, use of a handgun in the commission of a crime of violence and related charges.  He is facing a maximum sentence of life without parole plus 25 years.

COMMUNITY IN THE COURTHOUSE

As many of you know, the new session of Community in the Courthouse is underway, and the upcoming schedule of events is as follows:

October 24, 2014– Family Violence Awareness Forum

November 21, 2014– State’s Attorney Legislative Dialog with the Community

December 19, 2014– Community Leaders Appreciation and Holiday Social

January 22, 2015– Crime Status Report with the State’s Attorney and County Executive

February 27, 2015– Topic TBD

March 27, 2015– Vacant and Abandoned Property Resolution Session

 April 24, 2015– Jury Duty: The Citizen’s role and Responsibility

May 22, 2015– Topic TBD
11TH ANNUAL CRIME VICTIMS FUND RUN/WALK/ROLL

I would like to remind you to register for the Family Strong 5K Challenge that our office is hosting on SaturdayOctober, 18th 2014. As I have said before, it is imperative that we come together as a community to combat domestic and family violence in this county.

Instances of domestic-related homicides are on the rise in our county and across the country and we need you to help us strengthen our community by strengthening our family structure.

This year the Fund Run/Walk/Roll is free to the public and we would like to encourage you to participate by organizing a team of co-workers, friends and family members to run (5K) or walk (1K) and stand with us as a united front against domestic violence.

While the event is free, donations will be greatly appreciated as all proceeds will go to The Family Crisis Center/ House of Ruth, Still I Rise, Inc. and the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center. All of these organizations provide necessary and crucial resources to victims of crime and domestic violence.

The race will be held at Paint Branch Park Trail in College Park, MD. To find out more about the 5K, you can go towww.familystrong5k.com.

For any updates or changes, you can follow our blog atwww.pgstatesattorney.wordpress.com or follow us on Twitter @PG_SAO. I would also just like to remind you to check out our office Flickr page. We have lots of pictures from events all over the county and if you happen to see yourself in one of our photos, please feel free to download it and keep it for yourself. You can access the website at https://www.flickr.com/photos/pgsao.

Finally, I truly do enjoy being out in the community so if you would like me or a member of our office to attend an event in the community simply send an email request toadalsobrooks@co.pg.md.us, we would love to hear from you!

As always, I would like to thank you all for your continued support and for taking an interest in our wonderful county.

Sincerely,

Angela D. Alsobrooks

State’s Attorney