Latest news with #felonymurder
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
She says she killed her husband after years of enduring his abuse. A new Georgia law could reduce her sentence.
In January 1999, Latoya Dickens' fight with her husband turned deadly. "I did not intentionally stab and kill my husband. We struggled over the knife. He was stabbed one time and died three days later," Dickens said. Dickens was convicted of felony murder and served 25 years in prison. She'll be on parole for the rest of her life. But Dickens says at no point did Georgia courts consider her backstory: for years, she says, her husband physically abused her. "I'll never forget this one day, he got so angry with me, he lifted me up waist high and threw me off a porch while I was eight months pregnant," Dickens said. She said her husband got physical "at least about 10 times out of the month," which made her afraid "most of the time." Those in a similar position who are still in jail could soon see some relief in Georgia. A new law passed in Georgia called the Survivor Justice Act would allow domestic violence survivors to ask for lower sentences in court if they can present evidence that abuse led them to commit their crimes. Under the law, Dickens' sentence could have been as little as 10 years. Republican state Rep. Stan Gunter sponsored the bill, which passed overwhelmingly in Georgia's Legislature and was signed by Gov. Brian Kemp last month. "We weren't looking at the whole picture. We were just getting bits and pieces of it, and it wasn't enough to make a good, clear decision on how to treat these people," Gunter said. "This is not a get out of jail free card. They still have to serve a portion of the sentence," he added. Nationally, more than 70% of incarcerated women report enduring violence from their intimate partners, according to the Council on Criminal Justice. In Georgia, hundreds of women behind bars could be resentenced under the new law. Three other states — Oklahoma, New York and Illinois — have similar laws, and six more are considering one, according to the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "It gives people an incredible amount of hope that they have not had," said Ellie Williams, legal director of the Justice for Incarcerated Survivors Program. Dickens still wants a court to hear evidence she killed her husband in self-defense. "I felt like I deserved to serve some time, but not 25 years," Dickens said. She says she hopes the new law can allow the legal system to "examine the facts and determine whether I should be off parole." "I want a fair chance at rebuilding my life," Dickens said.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Teens arrested in connection with deadly Monroe shooting
The Brief Two teenagers, Laddarreus Tiller and Jatorian Ellis, have been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including felony murder, in connection with the May 6 shooting in Monroe. The shooting resulted in the death of 17-year-old Etienne Boakye and critically injured 23-year-old Jazaire Burgess; both incidents occurred on Lacy Street. Monroe Police Department acknowledged the collaboration of multiple agencies in the investigation, including the Walton County Sheriff's Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation. MONROE, Ga. - Two teenagers have been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal shooting earlier this month that left a 17-year-old dead and a 23-year-old critically injured, according to Monroe police. SEE ALSO: 1 dead, 1 injured after overnight shooting in Monroe, police say What we know Laddarreus Tiller, 17, and Jatorian Ellis, 18, both of Covington, were taken into custody following an investigation into the May 6 shooting on Lacy Street. They face multiple charges, including felony murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault, aggravated battery, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. The shooting claimed the life of 17-year-old Eitenne Boakye of Covington and left 23-year-old Jazaire Burgess of Monroe with critical injuries. What they're saying In a statement Tuesday, the Monroe Police Department credited multiple agencies for their role in the investigation. "We are proud of our agencies' strong partnership and are thankful for their continued support in keeping our communities safe," the department said. "We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the Walton County Sheriff's Office, Walton County District Attorney's Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Newton County Sheriff's Office, and our dedicated Monroe Police Department detectives for their teamwork, professionalism, and determination throughout the investigation." The backstory Just after 1 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, officers responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the area of Lacy Street. When they arrived, they found 17-year-old Etienne Boakye of Covington suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save him, Boakye died from his injuries at the scene. Shortly afterward, police were alerted to a second gunshot victim at the intersection of Pine Park Street and Knight Street. That victim, 23-year-old Jazaier Burgess of Monroe, was transported to an Atlanta-area hospital in critical condition. Investigators believe both shootings occurred on Lacy Street. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to assist with the case, which remains active and ongoing. What you can do Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Detective Mitch Studdard at (678) 283-5422 or via email at mstuddard@ The Source The Monroe Police Department provided the details for this article.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Yahoo
Milwaukee mother shot, killed during domestic incident; man charged
The Brief Prosecutors said a teen shot his stepfather and inadvertently killed his mother while trying to stop a domestic violence incident. The shooting happened near 15th and Cherry. The stepfather is now charged with felony murder in the case. MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County prosecutors said a teen shot his stepfather and inadvertently killed his mother while trying to stop a domestic violence incident last month. Now, the stepfather is charged with felony murder in the case. The backstory Police were called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. on Friday, April 18. Court filings said detectives found nine rifle casings. Two people – 26-year-old Ziare Dalton, who is now charged, and the mother – were shot. Dalton was taken to a hospital and survived, while the mother later died of her wounds. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What they're saying According to a criminal complaint, a police officer rode with Dalton in an ambulance from the shooting scene to the hospital. Dalton said he was arguing with the mother when her 17-year-old son – his stepson – shot him. Court filings said two other children, ages 11 and 9, were home when Dalton and the mother began to argue. The 11-year-old said Dalton was hitting the mother and yelling "bad words." The 11-year-old also said Dalton had hit the mother before and "she couldn't do anything to stop it." The 17-year-old came home during the argument and tried to deescalate the situation, per the complaint. The 11-year-old said Dalton threatened to kill the 17-year-old, and the mother then called 911. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News In the 911 call, court filings said the mother was heard telling the dispatcher that Dalton was hitting her and the 17-year-old while threatening to kill the 17-year-old. Dalton could be heard in the background screaming at the 17-year-old – "encouraging him to fire the gun." The call captured multiple gunshots before it disconnected. Detectives later interviewed the 17-year-old, who is charged in a separate case with a gun-related felony and a misdemeanor – but not with shooting his mother or stepfather. The complaint states Dalton had hit his mother before, including the previous night, and had threatened to kill him and his family members. The 17-year-old told detectives, per the complaint, that on the night of the shooting he heard Dalton jump on his mother as she yelled for him to stop. He then grabbed a gun and shot Dalton multiple times. He said he did not know his mother was in the line of fire and shot at Dalton to "protect his family." He also said Dalton kept multiple guns in the house. What's next Ziare Dalton is charged with one count: felony murder – attempted battery. Court records show he's being held in the Milwaukee County Jail on $10,000 bond. Editor's note: Since the time of the shooting, the 17-year-old has since turned 18 years old. For clarity, and to reflect the situation at the time of the shooting, FOX6 News is identifying him as a 17-year-old in this report. FOX6 News is not naming him because he is not charged with killing his mother or wounding Dalton and was identified in the complaint against Dalton as a threatened individual in the domestic violence incident. The Source Information in this report is from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office and Wisconsin Circuit Court.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Milwaukee teen accidentally shoots, kills mother while trying to stop stepdad's assault on her
A 17-year-old in Milwaukee accidentally shot and killed his mother while trying to protect her from an assault by his stepfather, prosecutors say. The stepfather accused of domestic violence, Ziare Dalton, 26, was charged on May 5 with felony murder in the case. The teen fired the gun after Dalton threatened to kill him, his mother and other family members, according to a criminal complaint. The shooting occurred April 18 in Milwaukee's King Park neighborhood. Two other children, ages 9 and 11, were in the home at the time. The complaint cites a 911 call made by the woman that night, when she reported being hit by her partner and her partner starting to beat her 17-year-old son and threatening to kill him. The recording captured a man screaming in the background, then 10 gunshots. After the shooting, the woman's children, including the 17-year-old, told authorities Dalton assaulted her multiple times before, according to the complaint. Milwaukee police had been called to the family's address at least six other times since 2023 for reports of property damage, battery and a person with a gun, according to a Journal Sentinel review of police calls for service. The calls were made to the address of the apartment complex where the family lived, but it is unclear if they were the caller in every instance. The teen told police he arrived home and heard his mother trying to get his stepfather to leave during an argument. His stepfather threatened to kill him and his mother, and began attacking his mother as she called 911, according to the teen's account to police. That's when the teen grabbed a gun. "(He) stated that he fired to protect his family, and that he did not know that he had struck his mother until later," prosecutors wrote in the complaint. The teen also told police he had bought the gun used in the shooting, which prosecutors described as an "assault rifle-style pistol," from Facebook a few weeks earlier. The teen was charged with possessing a dangerous weapon as a minor and possessing a firearm after having been adjudicated delinquent, or found guilty, in a previous juvenile proceeding. The Journal Sentinel is not naming the teen because he also is a victim in the case. The Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to a question about prosecutors' charging decisions. The teen's mom was taken to a hospital for treatment. She died from her injuries April 22 and the teen turned himself in to police on April 26. Dalton also was wounded in the shooting and taken to a hospital. He was under the custody of police as of May 7, according to a department spokesperson. This is not the only time children have witnessed fatal domestic violence in Milwaukee. A child was present in at least 43% of 178 domestic violence and family homicides between 2016 and 2022 in Milwaukee County, according to a Journal Sentinel investigation. The analysis also found a small but rising number of retaliatory homicides, as people tried to seek justice for loved ones experiencing domestic abuse and took matters into their own hands. At least nine of those types of killings occurred from 2020 through 2022, according to the Journal Sentinel analysis, which was published in 2023. The family at the center of this most recent case is being helped by The Asha Project, said Antonia Drew Norton, the nonprofit's founder and executive director. The Asha Project provides culturally specific domestic violence services for African American women and others in Milwaukee. The prevalence of guns in homes worsens situations like this, she said. "People have to learn to address domestic violence," she said. "People have to understand the signs." How to find help: What to do if you or someone you care about is in an abusive relationship She urged children witnessing violence in their homes to reach out to a trusted adult, such as a relative, social worker, teacher, coach or someone else, to share what's happening. "Let somebody know what's going on and some intervention can take place," she said. Ashley Luthern of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report. David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@ Domestic violence advocates can help with safety planning. Calls to advocates are confidential and do not involve law enforcement. More local resources can be found here. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at 414-933-2722. The Milwaukee Women's Center offers a 24-hour crisis line at 414-671-6140. The Women's Center in Waukesha has a 24-hour hotline at 262-542-3828. We Are Here Milwaukee provides information on culturally specific organizations at The Asha Project, which provides culturally specific services for African American women and others in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 414-252-0075. The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at 414-389-6510. The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center offers culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services for those who have experienced domestic or sexual violence and can be reached at 414-383-9526. Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition, operates a crisis line at 414-727-1090. The Hmong American Women's Association, which serves the Hmong and Southeast Asian community, has advocates available at 414-930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin has a statewide directory of resources at This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee teen shoots, kills his mom while trying to defend her
