Trial begins for Maryland man accused of dismembering second-grade teacher
Sylla went for an evening walk in a park near her apartment before disappearing in late July. Searches went on for the teacher until her body was later found dismembered near a pond in Clinton. Prince George's County Police worked with Greenbelt Police to discover a torso at a pond in Clinton. A test later found that the torso was Sylla's.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Charging documents outline disturbing details of murder of beloved Greenbelt teacher
Police then used witnesses and surveillance in the area to find a white Chevy Silverado in the area around the time the body was discarded. That truck belonged to Landon, who also lived in the same neighborhood and was, according to the prosecution, seen at the same park where Sylla was last seen.
In the opening statements, State's Attorney Aisha Braveboy described Sylla as a loving teacher and mother. Prosecutors brought in witness testimony and pictures of the scene, including photos of the dismemberment. State prosecutors also say they have video and DNA evidence linking Landon and Sylla, but Landon's defense says the state won't provide a motive.
Sylla taught at Dora Kennedy French Immersion School, a community that is hoping for justice for their beloved teacher.
'Terrible,' said parent Noura Estatie. 'Teachers, they take care of our kids…I hope you know, her family gets [the] justice that they seek.'
The trial is expected to go into next week. This case marks Braveboy's last trial as state attorney before she transitions to county executive.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
2 hours ago
- CBS News
Pasadena police investigate alleged assault at Rose Bowl concert
The Pasadena Police Department is searching for the man who allegedly knocked a woman unconscious at a Rose Bowl concert this weekend. The alleged assault happened during the Rüfüs Du Sol concert Saturday night after a dispute over a spilled drink. It was one of the concerns concertgoers raised about the "chaotic" night at the stadium. "I will never go to the Rose Bowl again," concertgoer Derric Dalton said. "This was a concert, or it was meant to be, but it wasn't. It was a chaotic, dangerous mess, and I'm so angry about it." Social media users echoed Dalton's sentiment following the Saturday night event, raising concerns about massive crowds crammed into the venue. "The show started around 9 p.m.," Dalton said. "Thousands of people started pouring in from every direction, standing on top of chairs in the aisles, in the corridors, blocking the exits, swarming the ADA section. It was awful." Dalton said he was worried about an event similar to the 2021 Astroworld Festival tragedy in Houston. "I left after 15 minutes because I was afraid of being trampled," he said. "If anything would have gone south in any way for one second, there is no way people would have escaped." According to Pasadena officials, neither the city nor the Rose Bowl has received any official complaints as of late Monday afternoon. City staff emphasized that the venue had police, fire prevention teams and private security personnel on site at the stadium. Pasadena also mentioned that every major event at the Rose Bowl undergoes an after-action review to look for improvements. "I hope the Rose Bowl realizes how serious the situation was. It was actually a nightmare," Dalton said. "I feel like there's a lot of blame to go around, and rightly so. I hope they fix the problem before people die." CBS News Los Angeles contacted Rose Bowl staff and Live Nation, the concert promoter, but have not received a response. The next major event at the stadium is the UCLA football game on Aug. 30.
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Ann Arbor police investigating 4 prowler reports near University of Michigan campus
Ann Arbor police are investigating a series of "prowler" reports in residential areas near the University of Michigan campus. Authorities say the latest incident happened around 1:30 a.m. Monday in the 500 block of East Kingsley Street. A homeowner said they saw a man looking into their home and then leaving the area on foot. Other reports of prowlers looking into homes occurred in the 1100 block of White Street, the 900 block of Dewey Avenue and the 200 block of Thayer Street, according to police. Currently, police do not have surveillance video of the suspect or suspects. An investigation is ongoing, and police have added extra patrols to the student housing area. Police are encouraging residents to close their blinds and curtains at night and when lights are on in their home, to use outdoor lighting to detect prowlers, trim landscaping near windows to reduce hiding spots, and consider installing video doorbells. Anyone with information on the incidents or who may have home surveillance video of suspicious activity is asked to contact Ann Arbor police at 734-794-6920. You can also email tips@ or submit an anonymous tip through Silent Witness.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- CBS News
Minneapolis woman shot inside her home; partner describes haunting scene
A 79-year-old Minneapolis woman is recovering after being hit by gunfire inside her home early Sunday. Steven Osthus says he still doesn't understand how it happened. One minute, his partner was sitting at the dining table, cutting vegetables. The next minute, she was shot in the abdomen. Police say the shot possibly came from a passing vehicle. "I can't shake the picture of that bullet wound from my mind. Very difficult," Osthus said. "I keep thinking if it had been a little higher, it might have been really serious. She could have passed away." He says doctors removed the bullet and part of her colon, and she's recovering in the hospital, but the trauma isn't over. Back at the house, Osthus says everything feels different. Sitting in the same chair his partner was shot in just days ago, he questions how they will ever feel safe in the home again. The shooting was one of four across Minneapolis that happened between Saturday night and Sunday morning. Police say all four appear to be unrelated. In a written statement, Chief Brian O'Hara called the violence especially troubling, saying, "Any gun violence is unacceptable, and I'm grateful for our officers who respond with courage and professionalism ... Together with our federal, state, and local partners, we remain committed to driving gun violence down in Minneapolis." Minneapolis police added that there's been a drop in overall shootings and the city remains below 2019 levels. So far this year, 164 people have been shot in Minneapolis, which is down from 235 this time last year. Despite the decline, Osthus says more needs to be done. "There needs to be some out-of-the-box solutions. The crime is unacceptable, and a lot of neighbors feel the same way," he said. For now, they're still weighing their options. Anyone with information is asked to leave a voicemail with the Minneapolis Police Department at 612-673-5845, Crime Stoppers of Minnesota at 1-800-222-8477, submit a tip here or send an email to policetips@
