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NBC News
02-05-2025
- NBC News
Woman's ex sent video of her body in plot to frame man for her murder
The Ohio man charged with fatally stabbing a woman he described as his 'soulmate' shared a video from a fake social media account that showed the victim's lifeless body in an effort to frame another man for the killing, court records obtained Friday show. The video, sent via Facebook, lasted five seconds and included R&B singer Chris Brown's "Stutter" playing in the background, according to a probable cause affidavit from a detective in Jefferson County, Indiana. The message was one of several that authorities accused Nigel Thomas, 34, of sending in an in elaborate plot to frame the other man, Shawn Bailey, for the murder of Wilma Robertson. The messages were sent to Robertson's relatives and people associated with her, according to the affidavit. The messages showed Bailey appearing to admit killing Robertson last month, the affidavit states. Bailey, who had dated Robertson, was arrested in connection with her murder on April 15, shortly after the Facebook video was shared with the girlfriend of Robertson's ex-husband, according to the affidavit. A message sent to the girlfriend indicated that Bailey had done the ex-husband "a favor" and he no longer had to worry about Robertson, the affidavit states. Bailey, 33, remained in jail until April 25, the Jefferson County Prosecutor's Office said earlier this week. Bailey did not respond to a request for comment. A lawyer for Thomas, who made his initial appearance in an Indiana courtroom Friday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thomas was charged with one count of felony murder and one count of obstruction of justice. "It seems that he has absolutely no remorse whatsoever," Robertson's cousin, Kimberly Danner, said of Thomas in an interview. "It's super insulting." Danner grew up with her cousin in Kentucky and said the two were more like sisters. She described Robertson, a certified nursing assistant and mother of two, as a free spirit who had a knack for making people laugh. Danner said her cousin met Thomas after she separated from her ex-husband a few years ago. Initially, Danner recalled, Robertson said that Thomas — a rapper who went by "Nati Bang" — "understood her like nobody else." He wrote a love song about her, "A Girl Named Wilma," that remains online, she said. The couple went to California, Danner said, though their relationship became "toxic" and in January 2024, Robertson returned to Kentucky, Danner said. "When she got back, she was just on this healing journey," Danner recalled. "She wanted to come back, get her life on track, get her kids and take them back to California." Initially, Danner said, she spoke regularly to her cousin. But Robertson went silent roughly a year ago for reasons that remain unclear, Danner said. According to the affidavit, authorities believe Robertson was killed on April 11 or 12 at her home in Hanover, Indiana. Her body was discovered on April 14 in a utility room. Two stab wounds were found in her back, the affidavit states. Danner learned of her cousin's death on April 14, she said, though initially her family had no details about what happened. Later that night, she said, the video showing Robertson's body was seen by her ex-husband when his girlfriend received it. That, Danner said, "is when we knew what had happened to her." After Bailey's April 15 arrest, he denied taking video of Robertson's body or sending messages, the affidavit states. He told authorities he'd been roughly 40 miles away, in Louisville, Kentucky, at the time of her death. A day later, Danner said she, too, received a Facebook message from someone purporting to be Shawn Bailey. Robertson's sister had also received a message from the supposed Shawn Bailey on Instagram, according to the affidavit, but by then, Danner said, she'd learned of Bailey's arrest and knew the messages were probably fake. "I immediately knew it was Nati," she said, noting that she was on the phone with a detective at the time discussing Bailey's arrest. "I was like, 'Let me tell you about this other guy she used to date.'" The affidavit cites dozens of messages posted on Thomas' Facebook profile about Robertson in the days after her death, some of which describe her as Thomas' "soulmate." Several of the messages tag Robertson's family. One, posted April 23, says: "THEY TOOK THE ONLY ONE I REALLY TRUST SHE KNOWS ALL MY PAIN OF WHAT MY FAMILY DONE TO ME ITS WAR OVER YOU!!!!!" Investigators later confirmed Shawn Bailey's alibi, according to the affidavit, and they discovered that the Shawn Bailey Facebook account was accessed by an IP address in Oxford, Ohio, while Bailey was incarcerated in Louisville. DNA found on the handle of a bloody knife at the crime scene excluded Bailey as a suspect, according to the affidavit, but showed a "moderate" match to Thomas. Thomas, who lived in Oxford, was arrested April 25, the same day Bailey was released, according to the Jefferson County Prosecutor's Office. For Danner, Thomas' arrest forced her to finally confront her cousin's death. "That was probably the first time that I finally, really accepted that she was gone," Danner said. At Robertson's funeral, she said, "it didn't feel like she was at peace at all. I feel it's because they had arrested the wrong person."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Four-year sentence issued to man involved in shooting death of 23-year-old in Topeka
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A man charged in connection with the shooting death of a Holton man in 2023 near Washburn University received his sentence Tuesday. 27 News checked court records this week which show that Aaron A. Serrano, 34, was sentenced to 52 months or just over four years in prison on April 15. Aaron Serrano's sentence is connected to Jackson E. Danner, 23, of Holton who was killed in a shooting near Washburn University in 2023. Prosecutors initially charged Aaron Serrano with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter on Nov. 7, 2023. However, he eventually pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in May 21, 2024. The Topeka Police Department (TPD) was called around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 to the 1600 block of Southwest 21st Street on reports of a body in the front yard of a residence. Police arriving at the scene found a man, later identified as Danner, dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Charges filed against man accused of attacking Topeka Rescue Mission staff member U.S. Marshals in Clay County, Missouri later arrested Aaron Serrano before he was transported to Shawnee County to face charges for the killing. Another man, Tremale M. Serrano, was also arrested and found guilty of murder in the first degree in connection to Danner's death. Danner was a 2018 graduate of Holton High School and attended Washburn Tech, according to his obituary. He was described as having a love of the outdoors and a 'heart of gold.' His death marked the 31st homicide case of 2023. Condemned east Topeka apartment cited for trash, vehicle violations For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Associated Press
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
ZEV TOUR Clean Fleet Experience Acquired by Cyclum NextGen Travel Centers to Support Fleets Transitioning to Alternative Fuels
CORNELIUS, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 9, 2025-- Cyclum, an innovator in near-zero, zero-carbon fuels and next-generation travel centers, is proud to announce the acquisition of ZEV TOUR - Clean Fleet Experience (ZEV TOUR), an event production and alternative fuel fleet consultancy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: Cyclum NextGen Travel Centers acquires ZEV TOUR – Clean Fleet Experience to support fleet transitions to alternative fuels ZEV TOUR was founded by Ollie Danner, who over the last 12 years has produced and assisted in managing over 40 alternative fuel ride-and-drives, conferences and expositions across the U.S. including direct consulting Public and Private Fleets. 'It was very important to connect fleets, OEMs and dealers with solution providers and offer fleets unbiased incentive and regulatory information, along with highlighting the challenges and benefits of alternative fuel technologies,' stated Danner. These experiential events highlighted alternative fuel technologies including electric, hydrogen, renewable diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and renewable natural gas (RNG) vehicles. Cyclum plans to build four hundred state-of-the-art travel centers nationwide, catering to diverse fueling needs. These centers will offer traditional fuels, along with next-generation zero carbon solutions such as hydrogen and renewable compressed natural gas as well as electric vehicle (EV) charging. Cyclum's travel centers will set a new standard for convenience and comfort on the road with superior fresh food and amenities, boasting a comprehensive modern rest stop experience. In addition to the acquisition of ZEV TOUR, Danner will act as Director of Alternative Fuel Technology and Marketing. 'I immediately knew that Cyclum's vision matched my own, and now we can engage with fleet managers together to offer significant cost savings on fuel, regardless of the fuel mix. More importantly, we can assist fleets in their transition to cleaner fuels, facilitating significant cost savings. Cyclum has a unique opportunity to provide traditional, transitional and renewable (TTR) fuels to fleets,' Danner said. Danner has collaborated with multiple EV charging companies such as EVConnect, JuiceBox, ChargePoint, and Noodoe to deploy hundreds of level two (L2) and Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC) EV chargers. Danner's involvement in EV projects encompassed various California Energy Commission (CEC) corridor grants, which aimed to establish EV infrastructure along the highway 99 and I-5 corridors in California and deploy EV infrastructure for electric school buses for the Los Angeles Union School District. He also brings a wealth of knowledge regarding regulations, incentives and grants. 'Education, outreach and being a connector have always been important pillars to my mission in assisting consumers, public and private fleets,' states Danner. With his profound understanding of energy requirements for EV infrastructure deployment, solar and battery storage, as well as grid-edge and off-grid energy solutions, Danner can offer fleets and property owners cutting-edge energy solutions, guiding them through their transition to renewable energy and new vehicle technologies. 'Cyclum is excited to bring ZEV TOUR into the Cyclum Renewables LLC family,' stated Brian Profitt, CEO of Cyclum Renewables and Cyclum NextGen Travel Centers. 'Not only bringing ZEV TOUR into our company, but also bringing Ollie on as a Director of Alternative Fuels and Marketing, allows us to utilize Ollie's extensive wealth of knowledge in the alternative fuel space, and his 12 year rolodex of contacts as we build out our infrastructure for growth to assist fleets with their transition alt fuel technologies,' stated Profitt. [email protected] 19701 Bethel Church Rd #103-258 Cornelius, NC 28031 980-533-7659 – Office Line SOURCE: Cyclum Copyright Business Wire 2025. PUB: 04/09/2025 08:50 AM/DISC: 04/09/2025 08:52 AM
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of murder in 2023 Topeka killing
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay reports a man was convicted on murder charges Friday in connection to a 2023 homicide case. Tremale M. Serrano was found guilty during a jury trial this week in connection to the 2023 killing of Jackson E. Danner. His charges include murder in the first degree and murder in the second degree. Oklahoma man charged in killing of Kansas priest Kagay said his office is requesting a 'Hard 50' prison sentence be applied in this case. Danner was the 31st homicide victim for Topeka in 2023. Police were called around 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15 regarding reports of a man laying in the front yard of an address in the 1600 block of Southwest 21st Street. Police later located a man, identified as Danner, who was declared dead at the scene. Kansas City police arrested Serrano in connection to the crime. He was initially booked into jail on a charge of murder in the second degree. 24-year-old gets nearly 40 years in prison for Topeka kidnapping, deadly shooting For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Yahoo
Topeka man convicted of murder hours after jurors viewed security camera footage
Two acquaintances pulled Jackson E. 'Jack' Danner out of his Topeka home against his will, threw him to the ground and shot him to death in a security camera video viewed the morning of April 4 by a Shawnee County District Court jury. Jurors deliberated about 80 minutes later that morning before convicting Tremale M. Serrano, 30, of two crimes linked to Danner's death. Serrano was found guilty on the fifth day of his trial of one count each of intentional second-degree murder and intentional and premeditated first-degree murder in the killing early Oct. 15, 2023, of Danner, 23, who was fatally shot in the front yard of the house he owned in the 1600 block of S.W. 21st. Serrano's sentencing date hadn't yet been set. Serrano's brother, 33-year-old Aaron A. Serrano, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter last May as part of a deal in which he agreed to testify against Tremale Serrano, court records show. A sentencing date for Aaron Serrano hasn't yet been set. He is scheduled to appear April 10 at a scheduling conference in the case. Jack Danner, a graduate of Holton High School, lived alone and worked as a roofer for Topeka-based Midwest Coating Inc., where Aaron Serrano had formerly been employed, Danner's father, Brett Danner, testified at Tremale Serrano's trial. Shawnee County deputy district attorney Brandon Farnham said April 1 in opening statements that the Serrano brothers and two women, Tiffany Alexander and Marisa Flores, were visiting Danner's home when he was killed. Farnham said Danner confronted Tremale Serrano at gunpoint inside the house, demanding that he return money Danner knew Tremale Serrano had taken from Aaron Serrano. The gun was then put away. Tremale Serrano apparently subsequently gained possession of the handgun, and Jack Danner was yelling, "Give me back my gun," not long before he was fatally shot, Farnham said. On Friday morning, Farnham showed jurors security camera video taken from just outside the house that he said showed Danner and the Serrano brothers from the side as the brothers pulled Danner outside the house's front door against his will. Farnham said Aaron Serrano threw him to the ground and Tremale Serrano shot him to death. Danner was barefoot and 'highly intoxicated' at the time, Farnham said. The gun was never found, he said. Tremale Serrano wrote his sister a letter asking for help after he was charged with the killing of Danner, Farnham said during opening arguments. He said Serrano asked his sister to tell Alexander and Flores to either not show up to court, say they didn't remember what happened or say police "got the wrong guy" and someone else must have killed Danner. Farnham said authorities intercepted Serrano's letter, which included a statement that 'These girls are my chance to come home.' While both Alexander and Flores testified at Tremale Serrano's trial, Farnham suggested that neither said much. Words had been exchanged April 1 during a break in proceedings between people sitting on the side of the courtroom gallery reserved for supporters of the defendant and others sitting on the side of the gallery reserved for supporters of the prosecution. Seven uniformed officers from the Shawnee County Sheriff's Office and Shawnee County Department of Corrections stood by in the courtroom to provide security as District Judge Bill Ossmann read the verdict. Afterward, family members and friends of Danner's tearfully embraced each other in the courthouse hallway. Contact Tim Hrenchir at threnchir@ or 785-213-5934. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka man convicted in 2023 murder of Jackson Danner
