CAMERON—A pre-trial hearing for a Rockdale resident accused of squeezing a 20-month-old infant to death has been scheduled for Jan. 10 in 20th District Court.
Shawn Vincent Boniello, also known as Shayla Angeline Boniello is charged with capital murder in the Dec. 3, 2018, death of Patricia Ann “Annie” Rad-er in a San Gabriel Street home.
Boniello, who is described as a male transitioning to a female, was 30 years old when the incident occurred.
The defendant was formerly a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and had lived in Rockdale less than two months prior to the arrest.
DEL AY—The case has been delayed several times, which is common with murder proceedings, especially capital murder.
In August it was announced the pre-trial hearing had been set for Dec. 12 with the trial itself scheduled for Jan. 21, 2020.
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” with the investigation.
“The entire family has cooperated,” he said.
Police said besides Boniello and Annie, the only person present when the incident occurred was Annie’s 14-year-old uncle.
‘BRUTAL’—Rockdale Police Chief Thomas Harris, who has been in law enforcement for five decades, said the death was “one of the most brutal” he has ever seen.
The longtime chief, and former deputy sheriff, said he had worked previous capital murder cases “but none was as horrific as this one,” and added “None of the victims in those cases suffered as much as this baby did.”
EXECUTED—It has been 25 years since anyone was put to death for a Milam County crime.
On Nov. 11, 1993, 32-year old Anthony Quinn Cook was executed for the slaying of University of Texas student David Van Tassel at a roadside park off Texas 36 between Buckholts and Rogers, just inside the Milam-Bell County line.
The slaying occurred in June, 1988.
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