Tony Donnell Brown of Lancaster, now 15, is being prosecuted as an adult in the death of Annie Margaret Bell, whose body was discovered June 18 at her home in the 44600 block of Stillwater Drive.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation that Bell was killed during the commission of a burglary, along with an allegation that the teen personally used a knife during the crime.
Prosecutors cannot seek the death penalty against Brown because of his age. He faces up to 26 years to life in prison if convicted of murder and two counts of first-degree burglary with a person present.
The then-14-year-old boy allegedly broke into the woman’s home and stabbed her multiple times while she was in her bed, according to Steven Frankland, head deputy of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Antelope Valley branch.
Neighbors told detectives that a person matching the description of the suspect was possibly hiding in some bushes, leading to the teen’s arrest, sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Rouzan said last year.
Brown is due back in a Lancaster courtroom Jan. 27 for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial.
Previous related stories:
Boy charged as adult in murder of elderly woman in Lancaster
Elderly woman found dead in Lancaster, juvenile arrested for murder
tessmama says
This boy was exposed to drugs in utero, was in foster care, and has a neurodevelopmental illness. His crime was horrendous, but he needs help.
Mike says
Ole Sparky can provide all the help he needs.
Alice says
My heart breaks for this woman. Her face shows who she was. I see a beautiful soul.
Jim says
This is such a sad story. Prayers for Annie Margaret Bell and her extended family. What we do not know from this story is what kind of upbringing did Tony Donnell Brown have. Did his upbringing contribute to this heinous crime or was he truly just a bad seed?
Regardless Tony Donnell Brown is a broken human. I understand that children cannot be executed by the state but this person cannot be rehabilitated and the state will now pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to support this miscreant in prison for the balance of his life.
Dee Dee says
This makes me so sick. He should be worrying about that cute girl that smiled at him in class today not murder. And she should be enjoying her grandchildren and tea with friends not someone stabbing her in her home and bed.
Charlene says
This Animal deserves the death penalty!!! Life in prison is too Good for this SCUM,he doesn’t deserve to breathe the same Air as the rest of us!
gmg says
14 years old he knew what he was doing given the death penalty one year after sentencing don’t waste of taxpayer money on life sentence yes for both of them no sympathy
Tim Scott says
Change the law.
I’m not in favor of such a change, just letting you know that what you are calling for is illegal.