March 15, 2000

TRIPLE MURDER SUSPECT CONVICTED IN DEATH OF HIS WIFE AND TWO SONS IN BLOODY RAMPAGE

Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced today the conviction of a 36 year old transit cleaner on first degree murder charges for the murders of his wife, his son and his stepson in a bloody rampage that took place inside their apartment over two and a half years ago.

District Attorney Brown said, "This was one of the most horrendous crimes ever committed in Queens County. The agonizing death of Ms. Annita Stewart and her children at the hands of a man who should have been their provider and protector is truly appalling."

District Attorney Brown identified the defendant as Richard Timmons of 12-35 35^th Avenue. He was convicted of three counts of murder in the first degree and one count of aggravated criminal contempt in connection with the death of Mrs. Annita Timmons, 31 and their sons Sharrone, 13, and Aaron, 7 on June 8, 1997. The defendant was found guilty after a 2 week jury trial held before Supreme Court Justice Robert Hanophy who will impose sentence on April 4^th. The defendant faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole at the time of sentence.

According to the testimony at trial, Timmons had a history of domestic violence and on the night of the murders took an axe and began hitting his wife about the head. He decapitated her and did the same to 7 year old Aaron. He also attacked his stepson stabbing him repeatedly with the axe. The defendant was found by the police locked in the apartment.

Assistant District Attorney Daniel J. Saunders, Chief of the District Attorney's Homicide Trials Bureau which is under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney Gregory L. Lasak was in charge of the prosecution.