F R O M T H E S T A T E A T T O R N E Y A n d r e w H . W a r r e n - S t a t e A t t o r n e y f o r t h e T h i r t e e n t h J u d i c i a l C i r c u i t
ClearingtheCaseBacklogand gettingBacktoBusiness
enhancedsafetymeasureshaveallowedustoconductmorethan 200jurytrialssincethecourthousereopened .
Though the pandemic tried to press pause on the work we do each day , the State Attorney ’ s Office and our court partners found creative solutions to remain open for business . From virtual dockets to enhanced cleaning and safety measures in the courthouse , we have kept cases moving and conducted more than 200 trials — including several large-scale , high-profile cases — since the courts reopened .
Our prosecutors worked diligently to negotiate appropriate conclusions to many cases while trials were halted , which helped reduce the growing case backlog and keep people from being unnecessarily held in custody .
As we prepared to resume in-person court activities in October 2020 , we worked with the Public Defender ’ s Office , the Chief Judge , and the Court Administrator to ensure a safe environment . This included mandatory temperature checks and mask-wearing , social distancing by jurors , limiting the number of people in courtrooms , and providing plexiglass shields at lecterns . These enhanced safety measures have allowed us to conduct more than 200 jury trials since the courthouse reopened — tackling the case backlog , and prioritizing the homicides and violent crime cases that pose the biggest threat to public safety .
Once trials resumed , several prominent cases were finally brought before a jury , including those of defendants Erin Robinson , Ronnie Oneal III , and Dontae Johnson .
Robinson made headlines as one of the first defendants to stand trial in a homicide case since the
pandemic shut down courts across the country . Robinson viciously beat Raul Ortiz to death in a fit of jealousy . He was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison .
In March 2018 , Ronnie Oneal III brutally attacked and murdered his daughter and the mother of his children and then stabbed and set fire to his young son . His son managed to escape the house of horrors but was critically injured . In June 2021 , after several days of emotional testimony , the jury found Oneal guilty on seven separate counts . He will serve the rest of his life in prison .
Weeks later , following 90 minutes of deliberation , a jury found Dontae Johnson guilty of first-degree murder and robbery with a firearm in the death of James Beck . Johnson and his co-defendant , Ramontrae Williams , responded to a Craigslist ad placed by Beck , offering a dirt bike for sale . Johnson and Williams gave Beck the cash for the bike , but it was far less than the $ 1,200 sale price . When Beck questioned the cash , Johnson pulled out a gun and shot Beck several times in front of his 15-year-old son . Williams jumped on the bike and took off , while Johnson ran from the crime scene . Beck did not survive , and his son was forever traumatized by what he witnessed . A judge ultimately sentenced Johnson to 40 years in prison .
The COVID-19 pandemic created countless obstacles to the pursuit of justice . I am proud that even through challenges , uncertainty , and ever-changing working conditions , our office ’ s commitment to seek justice , prioritize public safety , and protect victims never wavered . n
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