News

La Plata, MD – As a Charles County Circuit Court jury rendered its verdict Tuesday, Dec. 20, the shoulders of Caroline Marie Conway, 53 of Waldorf, began dropping a little more with each count as it was returned with an answer of “guilty” from the foreman.

Conway was convicted of First Degree Murder of Robert Mange, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder of Robert Mange, Unlawful Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Murder of Robert Mange, Attempted First Degree Murder of Krystal Mange, Conspiracy to Commit First Degree Murder of Krystal Mange, Unlawful use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence related to the Attempted Murder of Krystal Mange, First Degree Assault of Krystal Mange, Unlawful use of a Firearm in the Commission of a crime of violence related to the First Degree Assault of Krystal Mange, and Reckless Endangerment of four individuals.

Also, despite her plea that she was Not Criminally Responsible for her conduct, the jury found her Criminally Responsible on all charges in the incident which occurred May 20, 2015, at the Rock ‘N’ Roll McDonald’s located at Mall Circle in Waldorf and the wounding of Krystal Manges.

The verdict followed a 10-day trial and almost two days of deliberation. It also included a warning to the jury from Judge Eric Nyce on Monday, Dec. 19 to get busy or he might have to play the Grinch for Christmas.

Nyce took over for Judge Steven I. Platt, and as jury deliberations appeared to stall on Monday, the new judge turned the tables on the twelve deliberators.

One juror informed Judge Platt they had an international flight leaving Dec. 21 and requested to have Tuesday off to pack.

Another juror sent a note claiming they had to go out of town on Tuesday.

Judge Nyce wasn’t so nice.

After a debate away from the jury, Nyce said, “I do think this case is going to take precedent.”

Charles County Assistant States Attorney Francis Granados told the judge this was the first time the one juror had mentioned anything about having to be out of town on Tuesday.

“My view of it, I can’t surrender this case because someone has to be out of town,” Nyce stated. When the jury returned to the courtroom, any plans they may have had suddenly scuttled.

“To the juror who has an international flight on Wednesday, I suggest you spend this evening packing your bags because I am going to need you to be back here on time tomorrow,” the judge admonished. “We are going to deliberate tomorrow.”

Notes sent to the judge throughout Monday’s deliberation, asked for information on an issue that was not related to evidence in the case. The judge asked them to continue to deliberate and to focus on the evidence as presented throughout the trial.

As requests to be excused began drifting in, the judge decided to be a little more forceful. “A jury summons is in effect,” Nyce announced. “All jurors need to be here tomorrow.”

When deliberations resumed Tuesday, the jury asked to revisit the interview between the defendant and Charles County Sheriff’s Office Det. John Elliott.

They were only halfway through the interview when the judge took a break. Before the interviewing could resume the jury sent a note to the judge announcing they had reached their verdict.

Nyce said a sentencing date will have to be determined as it was Judge Platt’s case and he would have to consult with his office for that part of proceedings. Conway faces four life sentences plus 100 years. The State previously filed its Notice of Intent to Seek a Sentence of Life Imprisonment Without the Possibility of Parole.

An investigation into the shooting revealed that the victims were involved in an ongoing heated child custody battle with former Prince George’s County Police Officer, Richard Conway, the son of Caroline Conway.

Richard Conway, a former Prince George’s County police officer whose service weapon was used to commit the murder, allegedly conspired with his mother in the crime. Conway will face trial in Charles County Circuit Court Jan. 3.

Originally posted at The BayNet: http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1216/conwayfoundguiltyinmurdertrial.html.

La Plata, MD – Laportia Chardae Davis, 25 was not prepared for what happened to her Wednesday, Nov. 30. She appeared before Charles County Circuit Court Judge H. James West for sentencing after entering a plea over the summer to possessing a counterfeit document.

Davis began crying as she was escorted from the courtroom after being sentenced to 60 days for cashing a check issued by the Charles County Government for $2,298 for new counters in an office building. Charles County Assistant States Attorney Jeremy Widder said the county treasurer’s office had to close all accounts payable and open new accounts because of the theft.

“The check ends up being cashed by Ms. Davis at the Bank of America in Iverson Mall,” Widder said. “The defendant had written her name over the cabinet maker’s name. She is seen on bank video depositing the printed check.”

Widder pointed out that Davis has two prior convictions in Virginia on similar thefts. “I feel jail time is appropriate in this case,” he said, “especially when it’s a check with taxpayer’s dollars. She has not paid restitution.”

“She was paid $50 to cash the check,” Charles County Assistant Public Defender John Getz told the court. “The man who stole the check was never charged. I hoped she would have restitution today, but she does not,” Getz said. “She admitted she was wrong. She fully cooperated with police.”

“I intend on paying,” Davis told West. “I fully accept responsibility. It was a big wake up for me.” The judge said he would grant work release so that she could begin paying restitution and sentenced her to five years with all but 60 days suspended, giving her credit for four days of time served.

He ordered her to begin paying $50 a month beginning April 1, 2017. West also imposed five years of unsupervised probation upon her release. “Once she pays restitution, I’ll close out her probation,” he told Getz.

Originally posted at The BayNet: http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1116/womancashedcountycheckgets60days.html

La Plata, MD – Shondell Javon Middleton, 20 of Clinton, NC, learned his fate Monday, Nov. 7 in Charles County Circuit Court.

Visiting Judge Larnzell Martin Jr., who convicted Middleton of second-degree murder in a bench trial Sept. 15, sentenced the defendant to 30 years in the Maryland Department of Corrections, suspending all but 12 years for the stabbing death of Jordan Anthony Lucas, 18 of Waldorf in May 2015.

Martin denied a motion for a new trial for Middleton before hearing from both the state and defense and a slew of testimonials for and against punishment.

“He was an 18-year-old kid caught up in 72 hours of terror,” Defense Counsel James Papermeister told the court. “In 50 seconds he bolted out of the house and his life changed forever. I ask the court to reverse its verdict in the interest of justice. The verdict should be voluntary manslaughter.”

“Once the court makes its finding that the defendant is the aggressor, the imperfect self-defense argument goes out the window,” argued Charles County Assistant States Attorney Jeremy Widder. “Legally it is not going to be applicable.”

“It was not by chance that the court identified the moment when he became the aggressor,” Martin said in denying the defense motion for a new trial. “The evidence hasn’t changed.”

Charles County Assistant States Attorney John Stackhouse told the court that when Middleton has served his time—no matter what the court imposes—his family will eventually see his return.

“One thing no parent should ever have to do is bury their child,” Stackhouse said. “Jordon is not coming back.

“Mr. Middleton touched this whole thing off when he and Kevin Caldwell were going to purchase marijuana from Jordon, who said he didn’t have a scale,” the prosecutor said. “He went into a tobacco store to buy a scale and they left him there. What happened over the next two days, he was the catalyst. To suggest that he didn’t bring on this conflict is completely contrary to his own testimony.”

The initial incident sparked a two-day back and forth between Middleton against Lucas and his friends, who went to the defendant’s home at Adams Crossing in Waldorf, and among other things vandalized his mother’s car.

This scenario culminated in Middleton’s chasing Lucas down the street in Adams Crossing May 5, 2015 where the defendant stabbed the victim to death in the street.

Tony Lucas, the victim’s father, said his son’s death has left, “a sadness I suspect will be there forever.

“Our hearts are left with a permanent void,” he told the court.

Papermeister was unfazed.

“This court should not expect anything else from the state,” he said. “What did they think would happen? What has been lost in all this is that he [the victim] was a drug dealer.”

Middleton’s step-father, William Dickey, begged for leniency.

“It deeply saddens me, the life of your son being taken by mine,” he told Lucas’ parents. “I’m begging you, judge, to show mercy to my child.”

Middleton asked forgiveness from the parents also.

“I never intended to hurt Jordan or anyone,” he stated. “It burns me to the core of my soul.”

“Listening and hearing what is said on the side of the victim and the defendant, the court can’t make this right for anyone,” the judge said before handing down his sentence.

Middleton will be given credit for the 157 days he spent in custody, the judge said after suspending all but 12 years of the 30-year sentence. He ordered the defendant be placed on two years of supervised probation upon his release.

Originally posted at The BayNet: http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1116/man-given-12-years-for-second-degree-murder.html

La Plata, MD – On Wednesday Oct. 26, Datonya Monique Riley, 29 of Prince Frederick, was found guilty by association with a former drug dealer. Evidence presented by the State’s Attorney’s office reveal tthat although she might not have been directly involved with the illegal actions of her former boyfriend, she was considered to be “guilty by association” which can still land a person in hot water.

On Thursday, Feb. 11, her former boyfriend was arrested by Charles County Sheriff’s and they recovered 133 rocks of crack cocaine in his possession.

Wednesday, Aug. 24, a jury trial was held in Charles County Circuit Court, and Riley was convicted of possession of cocaine stated, Assistant State’s Attorney John Stackhouse.

“Police went to a hotel room at 5 a.m. with a search warrant and found Riley and her former boyfriend along with the 133 rocks of cocaine,” Stackhouse said. “This is a case where there was a lot of cocaine. A suspended sentence is in no way appropriate. We are asking for active jail time and supervised probation.”

Charles County Assistant Public Defender Edie Cimino told the court the co-defendant in the case bullied Riley.

“He was physically and emotionally abusive to my client,” she said. “She didn’t know he was a drug dealer. He would have no contact with her for months at a time, then he would call her and demand she spend time with him. Her former boyfriend also called her names and brought drugs around her.

The defense attorney told the court in addition, Riley has struggled with Lyme disease, fibromyalgia and sclerosis. “She has a lot of physical challenges,” Cimino added.

“He was a monster to her,” she said. “She craved intimacy. Her family tried to protect her from him. Her involvement with him is the sole reason she is in court.”

Assistant Public Defender Cimino claimed that the co-defendant has attempted to contact her client on several occasions. “I listened to the messages,” she said. “They were horrible. They brought tears to my eyes.”

“I loved a man who was physically and emotionally abusive to me,” Riley told the court. “I am very sorry.”

“I hope this was a wake-up call for you,” Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier told her. “You were associating with people who were nothing but bad news for you.”

With that, Bragunier sentenced Riley to four years in jail, and suspended all but 30 days of the sentence, to be served in the Charles County Detention Center, ordered that she undergo a domestic violence program and added five years of supervised probation.

She said she would amend that to unsupervised probation after two years if Riley stayed out of trouble. “She needs to see what her decisions have brought her,” Bragunier said. “I will authorize her to be released for her medical appointments.”

Cimino asked if Riley could report to the jail at a later date.

“No,” said the Judge Bragunier. “She knew this day was coming.”

Originally posted at The BayNet: http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/1016/codefendantincocainecasesentenced.html