|
|
|
|
|
|
|
She is accused of killing Brett A. Bonnell, 40, by hitting him with a wooden bat on April 24, according to the indictment.
Murder is a first-degree felony. If found guilty, she could face five to up to 99 years, or life in prison. A fine of up to $10,000 could also be assessed.
The Bonnells, with Janice’s 13-year-old daughter, came to Seadrift from Hope, Ind., at the beginning of the year.
Brett Bonnell was found laying in front of his Ford Probe on the side of Old Seadrift Highway, about four miles outside of Seadrift on April 24. The autopsy showed he died of blunt force trauma to the head.
Janice Bonnell and her sister, Betty Roney, 49, were arrested June 28 by Calhoun County deputies. Bonnell told investigators her sister helped dispose of the body and she remains in Calhoun County Jail on the murder charge. Roney has not been indicted in connection with the murder, but remains in jail on an out-of-state charge of violation of probation and a misdemeanor possession of marijuana less than 2 ounces, Calhoun County District Attorney Dan W. Heard said.
The arraignment for Bonnell is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25.