CAMERON—Bond for a 31-year-old Rockdale resident facing a capital murder trial for the killing of a 20-month-old girl at an East Rockdale residence, has been increased to $3-million in advance of a pre-trial hearing, now scheduled for Thursday, March 5, according to Prosecutor Bill Torrey.
Bond had previously been $750,000.
Shawn Vincent Boniello, also known as Shayla Angelina Boniello, is accused of squeezing Patricia Ann “Annie” Rader to death on Dec. 3, 2018.
Boniello, who is described as a male transitioning to a female, was formerly a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and had lived in Rockdale less than two months prior to the arrest.
DELAY—The case has been delayed several times, which is common with murder proceedings, especially capital murder. The victim’s age makes the crime eligible for capital murder status, according to Torrey.
In August it was announced the pre-trial hearing had been set for Dec. 12 with the trial itself scheduled for Jan. 21, 2020. Later the hearing was postponed to Jan. 10 and then March 5.
Two weeks after Boniello’s arrest, Prosecutor Bill Torrey said he would seek the death penalty.
INVESTIGATION— An arrest affidavit by Rockdale Police Lt. Stephen Goodrich said Boniello confessed “out of anger and frustration” to squeezing the child for about three minutes until feeling “bones begin to pop and crush.”
Goodrich’s affidavit indicated police were called at 5:44 p.m. Dec. 3, 2018, by the victim’s uncle and found the “unresponsive” toddler had sustained extensive injuries including “scratches, bruising and swollen knots on her head, neck, arms, stomach and legs.”
Sgt. Jody Tillery and emergency workers attempted to render aid. Rader was pronounced dead at 6:16 p.m. by Justice of the Peace Andy Isaacs.
BACKGROUND—Family members said Boniello had moved to Rockdale in October to be with the child’s custodial grandfather.
Police said the two met on the Internet. Goodrich said the grandfather was at work when the incident occurred and has been “very cooperative.”
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