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Indiana woman charged with murder in road rage shooting

Indianapolis, IN – A 23-year-old woman has been charged with murder following a road rage incident that led to the shooting death of a 21-year-old man. Deborah Benefiel faces charges of murder and criminal recklessness in the shooting of Kentrell Settles on Friday.

The incident occurred at the intersection of West 38th Street and Georgetown Road. Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department responded to reports of gunfire and found Settles inside a Chevrolet Malibu suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

According to a probable cause affidavit, detectives found evidence of a single gunshot in the rear passenger side window of the Malibu, along with a BB gun under the driver’s seat. Settles’ girlfriend, who was in the car at the time of the shooting, stated that they were stopped at a red light when Settles honked the horn after the vehicle in front did not move when the light turned green.

Witnesses reported that Benefiel, driving a Ford SUV, followed the couple while yelling and gesturing. As Settles attempted to turn into a nearby plaza, Benefiel allegedly fired one shot into the Malibu. Settles’ girlfriend drove them the rest of the way to her parents’ house after the incident.

Police were able to identify Benefiel’s vehicle through license plate readers and observed her removing stickers from the SUV before her arrest. Upon being taken into custody, Benefiel informed an officer that the gun was located in a bag at her apartment. Authorities later found a .40-caliber Glock handgun in a purse.

An autopsy confirmed that Settles died from a gunshot wound that entered his back, causing significant damage to his lung and heart. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Benefiel has not provided a statement to detectives following her arrest. She remains in the Marion County Jail without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears stated that this incident highlights the dangers of escalating conflicts on roadways.

Man sentenced to life for murder of beloved teacher in brutal attack

Greenbelt, MD

Harold Francis Landon III received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Mariame Toure Sylla. A jury convicted Landon, 34, of first-degree murder for Sylla’s death on July 29, 2023.

Judge Carol Coderre delivered the sentence on Friday in the 7th Judicial Circuit Court.

Sylla, 59, was attacked during a walk near her home in Schrom Hills Park. Her torso was discovered days later in a pond in Clinton, approximately 20 miles from Greenbelt.

Search efforts were launched by the community when she did not return home.

Evidence presented at trial included Sylla’s DNA found on Landon’s boots along with her clothing in his truck.

Landon’s cellphone was also traced to the area where Sylla vanished.

Surveillance footage appeared to show a body in a black bag in Landon’s pickup.

In a significant piece of evidence, Landon was recorded during a jailhouse phone call apparently confessing to the murder, stating he let “the savage inside of me out.”

He was arrested on an unrelated assault charge on the same day that Sylla’s remains were found and charged with murder a month later.

Authorities indicated the assault was random as Sylla and Landon did not know each other.

Investigators believe she was strangled before being dismembered, though the precise cause of death remains unestablished.

Prosecutor Aisha Braveboy described Sylla as a caring person, adding that her murder shook the community deeply.

Landon’s defense claimed a troubled childhood influenced his actions, asserting he acted under the influence of drugs.

Prosecutors contested this narrative, insisting the crime was premeditated.

Braveboy articulated the brutality of the act, underscoring Landon’s attempt to conceal evidence of his crime.

The jury’s verdict resulted in Landon being effectively severed from the community.

David Harris contributed to this report.

**Newburgh man found guilty of assaulting women in retail store brawl**

Newburgh, NY A jury has convicted Ronnie Williams, 55, of assault in the third degree following a violent incident at a retail store. The incident occurred on January 4, leading to injuries for two women involved in the altercation.

Following the conviction on Thursday, Williams was remanded to the Orange County Jail without bail. He is set to be sentenced on December 2.

The case revolved around an incident where a female shopper became irate over a return policy. After calling Williams to the scene, he entered the store and struck another female shopper in the face.

When a 22-year-old female employee attempted to intervene, Williams forcefully grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against a counter. This resulted in injuries to the employee’s ear, neck, and back.

District Attorney David M. Hoovler praised the Town of Newburgh Police Department for their investigation. He stated, “Physical violence is never an appropriate response to settle a disagreement.”

Hoovler highlighted that the jury saw clear evidence of the defendant’s criminal actions, including video of the assault. Assistant District Attorney David Greenwald led the prosecution of the case.

This criminal charge is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.