Whatever happened to . . . ? #38

Today we're featuring Orange County domestic violence & child abuse/neglect cases that were featured in the media:

Ward, James Robert ("Bob")

2009-CF-013977-A-O

2nd Degree Murder w/Firearm

Defendant was convicted by a jury of killing his wife in their Isleworth home

Defendant was sentenced to 30 years DOC (25 years minimum mandatory) with crecit for 102 days time served.  Click here for previous blog about the first bond hearing in this case.

Stewart, Justin Lee

2009-CF-013317-A-O

1st Deg Murder; LSOA w/Injury

Defendant allegedly ran over and killed a woman in a hit-and-run road-rage incident after an argument at a nightclub. Defendant's mother Randi Joy Abrams, pled no contest to attempting to cover up evidence relating to the vehicle (2009-CF-013322-B-O). Not sure if this case was DV related.

Pled no contest to Attempted Manslaughter w/ Weapon & Leaving Scene of Accident w/Death, and sentenced to 15 years DOC w/credit 2 yrs 84 days time served.

Freeman, Keira

2010-CF-016249-A-O

2nd Degree Murder

Defendant allgedly stabbed her fiance to death

Pled guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 years DOC w/credit 1 year 9 days time served.

Gibson, Louis Jean

2011-CF-003266-A-O

Arson of Structure Known/Believed to be Occupied 

Defendant allegedly set a mattress on fire in his family's apartment because he was upset at a guest living in the apartment.

Pled to Attempted Arson and sentenced to 180 days jail w/credit 40 days time served; 29 years & 6 months probation.

Whitted, Benjamin

2011-MM-007937-A-O

Battery

Defendant was shot by a deputy when he allegedly refused to stop strangling his girlfriend. Defendant's injuries were not life threatening.

Defendant was acquitted by a jury

Donaldson, Jahlea L

2010-CF-009976-A-O

Burglary of Dwelling w/Aggravated Assault WDW; Intro Contraband into Correctional Facility

Defendant, her sister & a friend allegedly assaulted her sister's ex-boyfriend inside his apartment w/a broken bottle of hot sauce

Case nolle prossed

Malofsky, Louis

2011-CF-005323-A-O

Robbery w/Firearm; Agg Assault WDW; Battery

Defendant, an off-duty OCSO deputy, allegedly beat a man who had a relationship with his adult daughter

No information notice filed – case dropped

Thornton, Stanley

2011-CF-005597-A-O

Home Invasion Robbery w/mask; Battery; False Imprisonment

Defendant allegedly pretended to be a flower delivery person & assaulted the victim in this 2004 Windermere case. Former Police Chief Daniel Saylor never investigated the FDLE DNA hit in 2007.

No information notice filed – case dropped

Lewis, Jessica M

2011-CF-009926-A-O

Cruelty Toward Child Abuse w/o Great Harm

Defendant allegedly beat her 22-mo old child at the Magic Kingdom because he would not walk properly

Pled no contest, adjudication was withheld.  Defendant was sentenced to 1 day jail with credit 1 day time served, 18 months probation and 100 hours of community service.

Garcia, Elvin

2011-CF-009376-A-O

Agg Child Neglect

Defendant's 18-mo old child was spotted drinking beer in the front yard while defendant was allegedly passed out

No information notice filed – case dropped

Tato, Elizabeth

2011-CF-014253-A-O

Neglect of Child

Defendant's 11-yr old son was allegedly left inside her car for more than an hour as it was repossessed while she was gambling at a strip mall

No information notice filed – case dropped

Thomas, Ashley

2011-CF-016320-A-O

Neglect of Child

Defendant's 3-yr old son was found wandering the hallway of a motel while she allegedly went to a liquor store for at least 2 hrs.

No information notice filed – case dropped