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Thread: Serial Killer Darren Deon Vann Sentenced to LWOP in 2014 IN Murders of Seven Women

  1. #21
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    June trial date set for Gary man suspected in 7 deaths

    CROWN POINT, Ind. - A judge has set a June 22 trial date for a Gary man charged with murder in the strangulation deaths or two women and suspected of killing five others.

    The (Munster) Times reports
    Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Boswell set the trial date Friday for 43-year-old Darren Vann. He's charged in the deaths of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy of Gary and 35-year-old Anith Jones of Merrillville. Prosecutors have said they may seek the death penalty against Vann.

    Police have said Vann led them to six bodies in abandoned buildings in Gary after he was questioned in the death of Hardy. Her body was found Oct. 17 in a motel in nearby Hammond. Jones was reported missing that same month.

    A court affidavit says Vann confessed to killing Jones.

    http://www.wthr.com/story/28481524/j...ed-in-7-deaths
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  2. #22
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    Prosecutors want death penalty in Vann trial

    By Ruth Ann Krause
    The Post-Tribune

    Suspected serial killer Darren Deon Vann is now facing the death penalty if convicted of two murders he was charged with last fall.

    Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter filed the death sentence request Friday for Vann in the deaths of Afrika Hardy, 19, of Chicago, and Anith Jones, 35, of Merrillville.

    Vann, 44, did not attend the hearing Friday during which Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell granted a request by prosecutors to join the two murder cases, which were filed two days apart. Prosecutors had argued that the cases were similar in that both victims had been strangled, the homicides occurred within 10 days of each other, and that the same weapon -- a brown cord -- was used in both homicides based on DNA analysis. Prosecutors also say the same "type" of victim was targeted. Both Hardy and Jones had advertised as prostitutes on social media, according to court documents.

    Defense attorney Teresa Hollandsworth argued against the motion and noted that the killing of Jones appears to be a murder-for-hire, based on the probable cause affidavit, and not a rage killing as prosecutors said in their request to join the cases for trial. Hollandsworth said trying the two cases together would be highly prejudicial to her client.

    Under the law, Boswell said the cases meet the criteria to be tried together.

    "The question is the prejudice to the defendant," Boswell said. "From a practical standpoint we would be hard-pressed to find two juries with no exposure to this case," the judge said in granting the request. Vann's trial is set for June 22.

    Boswell then agreed to allow prosecutors to file an amended information that consolidates the two murder cases under one charging document and adds two counts that seek the death sentence for the two homicides.

    In Hardy's case, the aggravating circumstances prosecutors must prove is that Vann intentionally killed Hardy while committing or attempting to commit robbery by stealing her cell phone and/or condoms and that he committed another murder. In Jones' case, prosecutors must prove the aggravator that Vann killed Jones while committing or attempting to commit robbery by intentionally stealing Jones' cell phone and/or car and that he has committed another murder.

    Boswell has scheduled a May 6 hearing to advise Vann of the amended information and death sentence request. Boswell took under advisement until May 6 a letter Vann is suspected of writing to Carter. The contents of the letter are not part of the public case file, and authorities are prevented from discussing the case outside of court because of a gag order.

    On Oct. 17, Hardy was found strangled in the bathtub at the Motel 6 in Hammond. During interviews with police, Vann led investigators to the bodies of six other women, including Jones. Vann has not been charged in connection with the other five homicide victims.

    http://my.chicagotribune.com/#sectio.../p2p-83322523/

  3. #23
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    Judge officially informs Gary man he faces the death penalty

    CROWN POINT, Ind. — A northwestern Indiana judge has formally informed a Gary man charged in the slayings of two women and suspected in the deaths of five others that the state plans to seek the death penalty.

    The (Munster) Times reports 44-year-old Darren Vann told Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Boswell on Wednesday that he understood the murder cases in the deaths of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy of Gary and 35-year-old Anith Jones of Merrillville would be heard by a single jury and that he faces the death penalty in each.

    Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter filed the death penalty request in April. Police have said Vann confessed to killing seven women whose remains were found over three days in October, but has been charged in only the deaths of Hardy and Jones.

    http://www.wlky.com/news/Judge-offic...nalty/32844384

  4. #24
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    Prosecutors push for June 22 Vann trial

    By Ruth Ann Krause
    The Post-Tribune

    Darren Deon Vann's capital murder case is back on the trial docket beginning June 22.

    Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell on Friday granted a request by prosecutors to restore the trial date, which had been canceled on April 17 when the request for a death sentence was filed.

    After reviewing the state's motion, Boswell said she listened to a tape recording of the hearing.

    "It seemed logically the only thing to do was to vacate the June 22 jury trial in light of the death penalty filing," Boswell said.

    Prosecutors, however, said in the motion that they never asked to delay the trial for Vann, 44, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, murder in perpetration of robbery, and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury in the killings of Afrika Hardy, 19, of Chicago, and Anith Jones, 35, of Merrillville. Boswell has ordered that the two murder cases be tried together.

    Under criminal rules of court procedure, Vann must be tried within 180 days of his arrest date, minus any delays attributed to the defense team, or he will be released on his own recognizance. He was initially arrested Oct. 20 in Hardy's case after her body was found in a bathtub at Motel 6 in Hammond on Oct. 17. She and Jones had been strangled.

    Thus far, Vann's defense team of Teresa Hollandsworth, Matthew Fech and appellate counsel Mark Bates have not asked to delay the trial. At Friday's hearing at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point, Fech renewed his request for Boswell to order the state to turn over its DNA evidence, which is due by June 5.

    In the meantime, Boswell scheduled a meeting in her chambers with attorneys involved in the case Monday afternoon to begin developing a questionnaire for prospective jurors.

    Lake County's most recent death penalty case was in 2013 for Kevin Isom. In preparation for that trial, attorneys spent months developing the questionnaire, which was mailed out to prospective jurors.

    After Vann's arrest, he led police to other alleged victims whose bodies were found in abandoned houses in Gary, court records state. They include Sonya Billingsley, 53, of Gary; Tanya Gatlin, 27, of Highland, Teaira Batey, 28, of Gary; Tracy Martin, 41, of Gary, and Kristine Williams, 36, of Gary.

    http://my.chicagotribune.com/#sectio.../p2p-83657102/

  5. #25
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    Despite objection, Vann trial moves to 2016

    By Ruth Ann Krause
    The Post-Tribune

    The capital murder trial of a Gary man charged with killing two women has been scheduled to begin Jan. 25.

    Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell scheduled the trial for Darren Deon Vann after lead defense counsel Teresa Hollandsworth said the defense team has not had adequate time before his June 22 trial date to prepare for the death penalty, which was filed less than two months ago.

    Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter said he objected to the delay.

    Vann, 44, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, murder in perpetration of a robbery and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury filed in the strangulation deaths of Afrikka Hardy, 19, of Chicago, and Anith Jones, 35, of Merrillville.

    The state's case is expected to take about two weeks to present, deputy prosecutor Michelle Jatkiewicz said. Jury selection is expected to take several weeks.

    During the brief hearing Friday, Carter asked that Vann be brought to court to be formally advised by the judge of the trial date. Boswell has given Vann the option of appearing or not in court at the Lake County Government Center in Crown Point.

    Hollandsworth said she would personally inform Vann of the new trial date. Boswell said she will send him a copy of her order, and she will inform him of the date on Dec. 18 at the pre-trial conference.

    Hardy's body was discovered Oct. 17 in the bathtub of the Motel 6 in Hammond. Jones, who had been reported missing Oct. 8, was found dead on Oct. 18. Her body was covered with tires and teddy bears in the basement of an abandoned home at 421 E. 43rd Ave., Gary. Jones the was the first victim found in Gary after Vann's arrest on Oct. 18.

    Vann is suspected in the deaths of five other women whose bodies also were found in abandoned houses in Gary, but he has not been charged with their killings. They are Sonya Billingsley, 53, of Gary, Tanya Gatlin, 27, of Highland, Teaira Batey, 28, of Gary, Tracy Martin, 41, of Gary, and Kristine Williams, 36, of Gary.

    http://my.chicagotribune.com/#sectio.../p2p-83713245/

  6. #26
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    Gary man charged with killing 2 seeks to represent himself

    CROWN POINT, Ind. -- A northwest Indiana man charged with strangling two women and who could face the death penalty if convicted is asking a judge to allow him to represent himself during the trial.

    The (Munster) Times of Munster reports (http://bit.ly/1Pw8gmV ) Lake County Criminal Judge Diane Boswell scheduled a hearing for Wednesday after 44-year-old Darren Vann of Gary wrote to the court indicating he wants to represent himself.

    Vann previously had waived his right to be present at hearings.

    Vann is charged with murder in the deaths of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy and 35-year-old Anith Jones. Police have said that Vann confessed to having killed seven women whose remains were found in October 2014. He has only been charged in the deaths of Hardy and Jones.

    Vann is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 25.

    http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2...ews/311169881/

  7. #27
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    A man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client.

  8. #28
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    Judge in Darren Vann murder trial disqualifies herself

    By Ruth Ann Krause
    The Chicago Tribune

    A judge presiding over the capital murder case of serial killing suspect Darren Deon Vann has disqualified herself from hearing the case.

    A one-line entry Wednesday on the online docket states that Lake Superior Court Judge Diane Ross Boswell has recused herself from hearing the case and ordered the Lake County clerk's office to reassign it to another courtroom.

    The criminal court judges in Lake County can recuse themselves for a number of reasons, including a potential conflict of interest or if they question their ability to act impartially in hearing the case.

    Vann, 44, of Gary, faces the death penalty if convicted in the October 2014 deaths of Afrikka Hardy, 19, of Chicago, and Anith Jones, 35, of Merrillville.

    The case is set for trial starting Jan. 25, but with Boswell ordering the case transferred to another courtroom, it appears unlikely that Vann's case will be tried in January.

    Within the last month, a new lead counsel, public defender Gojko Kasich, was appointed to represent Vann. Kasich replaced Teresa Hollandsworth, who resigned from the Lake County public defender's office to accept a position as referee in the Lake County juvenile court system.

    It was unclear on Wednesday which courtroom would take the case.

    Judge Samuel Cappas already has a death-penalty murder case involving Carl Blount, 27, who has pleaded not guilty in the shooting of Gary police Patrolman Jeffrey Westerfield in July 2014.

    Vann is suspected in the deaths of five other women whose bodies also were found in abandoned houses in Gary, but he has not been charged with their killings.

    http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburb...202-story.html
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

  9. #29
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    New judge sets July trial date for suspected serial killer

    CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — A new judge has delayed the trial of a man charged with strangling two women and suspected of killing five other women whose bodies were found in abandoned homes in Gary.

    Lake Superior Court Judge Samuel Cappas set a July 25 trial date for 44-year-old Darren Vann. He faces murder charges in the deaths of 19-year-old Afrikka Hardy and 35-year-old Anith Jones of Merrillville. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

    The (Munster) Times reports (http://bit.ly/1Yr3LK4) Friday's hearing was Vann's first before Cappas, who was named to preside over the case last week after Judge Diane Boswell recused herself.

    Cappas scheduled a hearing for Feb. 26 on a defense motion to sever the counts. The state has joined the cases together for a single trial.

    http://www.whio.com/ap/ap/indiana/ne...d-seria/npnWJ/

  10. #30
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    Indiana man accused of killing 7 women faces new charges

    CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) -- An Indiana man who police say confessed to killing seven women was charged with murder Monday in five of the slayings and now faces the death penalty in each of the cases.

    The Lake County Prosecutor's Office filed the charges against Darren Vann, 44, in the deaths of Teaira Batey, 28; Tracy Martin, 41; Kristine Williams, 36; Sonya Billingsley, 53; and Tanya Gatlin, 27. The women's bodies were found in 2014 in abandoned buildings in northwest Indiana.

    Vann, of Gary, was already charged with murder in the strangulation deaths of Afrikka Hardy, 19, and Anith Jones, 35. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty in all seven cases, The (Munster) Times reported.

    Police said shortly after the bodies were found that Vann had confessed to all seven killings. Calls to the prosecutor's office during business hours Monday went directly to a recording.

    One of Vann's attorneys, Gojko Kasich, said he has not yet seen the court documents and could not comment on the new charges.

    Vann was arrested Oct. 18, 2014, a day after Hammond officers found Hardy strangled to death inside a motel room. The other bodies were found in buildings across Gary.

    Billingsley and Gatlin were the last two women to be identified, nearly four months after Vann's arrest.

    Vann has pleaded not guilty in the Hardy and Jones deaths.

    According to court records, a brown cord recovered by detectives contained DNA from Hardy and Jones, and Jones' DNA was found on a pair of Vann's shoes. Prosecutors contend Vann used the cord to kill both women. A judge last year granted the state's request to prevent the coroner's office from releasing the autopsy reports on Hardy and Jones.

    It was not immediately clear whether the new charges would affect Vann's trial date of July 25.

    http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/201...es-new-charges
    "I realize this may sound harsh, but as a father and former lawman, I really don't care if it's by lethal injection, by the electric chair, firing squad, hanging, the guillotine or being fed to the lions."
    - Oklahoma Rep. Mike Christian

    "There are some people who just do not deserve to live,"
    - Rev. Richard Hawke

    “There are lots of extremely smug and self-satisfied people in what would be deemed lower down in society, who also deserve to be pulled up. In a proper free society, you should be allowed to make jokes about absolutely anything.”
    - Rowan Atkinson

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