Prosecutor Bill Torrey will seek the death penalty for a 30-year-old suspect who, after living in Rockdale for less then two months, has been charged with capital murder in the death of a 20-month-old toddler.
Shawn Vincent Boniello, also known as Shayla Angelia Boniello, was indicted for capital murder Thursday by a Milam County Grand Jury.
Boniello confessed to Rockdale police he punched, slapped, shook and finally squeezed Patricia Ann “Annie” Rader until she was motionless in a San Gabriel Street home on Dec. 3.
The toddler’s family told The Reporter they “would never be able to express their gratitude to everyone” for the support it has received since the child’s death and said their focus has now shifted to “getting justice for Annie.”
DEATH PENALTY—Torrey said he actually arrived at his decision to seek, if Boniello is convicted, the day before the grand jury indictment.
“Upon receipt of the draft of an offense report (thorough and professional, but still awaiting results of the complete investigation), in the late afternoon of Dec. 12, the district attorney’s office will seek the penalty of death,” he said.
The grand jury met the next day and returned the indictment.
In a related development, District Judge John Youngblood has requested the Texas Capital Defender’s office in Austin to represent the defendant.
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 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.
SUPPORT—Thomas Bond, uncle of the victim told The Reporter the family supports Torrey’s decision and added: “The DA’s office is working around the clock on this case to ensure nothing can be overturned on appeal.”
He also expressed support for the community which responded to a GoFundMe appeal which raised money for burial and funeral services.
“We would like to thank the Rockdale Police Department, Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home, the Rock-dale community and a countless number of family, friends and caring citizens in the Texas area for their love, support and donations for Annie,” he said.
“Together, we raised enough to take care of all expenses, including the headstone. Without everyone doing what they did, we would not have been able to cover everything,” he said.
The GoFundMe page, and the family, are no longer accepting donations.
TRANSITIONING— Boniello is described by police as a “male transitioning to a female” and that aspect of the case has drawn the attention of media throughout the state.
Boniello’s mother, Olivia Martinez, told a daily newspaper she did not believe Boniello committed the act and believes the police department targeted the defendant for being transgender.
Lt. Stephen Goodrich told The Reporter police were not aware of the transgender aspect until officers found paperwork referencing the transitioning.
“He had already been detained and was being questioned before we even knew about that,” Goodrich said.
Sheriff Chris White said Boniello was booked as a male.
Martinez said Boniello moved to Rockdale in October to be with Mike Matthews, the child’s custodial grandfather.
Police said the two met on the Internet.
Goodrich said Matthews 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 as 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.”
Harris praised the work of his department, including Sgt Jody Tillery and Lt. Stephen Goodrich.
“Sgt. Tillery recognized the abuse immediately when he first walked onto the scene,” Harris said.
JUSTICE—Bond said the family’ focus has now shifted to seeking justice for Annie.
“We will do whatever we can to help the DA get the death penalty and we will not stop until we get justice for this sweet little girl,” he said.
“At this point we are trying to find out more history about the person who did this,” Bond said. “I have a hard time believing he woke up one day as a violent person. It just does not make sense.”
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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