Transgender Woman Sentenced To Life For Capital Murder After Killing Boyfriend’s Toddler Granddaughter
Shayla Angeline Boniello, a 32-year-old transgender woman who is also known as Shawn Vincent Boniello, has been sentenced to life in prison for capital murder after killing her boyfriend’s toddler granddaughter. On Thursday (Nov. 12), Boniello, of Rockdale, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison without parole after pleading guilty to the December 3, 2018 murder of 20-month-old Patricia Ann Rader.
According to the arrest affidavit, in December 2018, Boniello admitted to punching, slapping, shaking and squeezing the child until she was motionless. Boniello told police she was consumed with wrath and frustration, and squeezed the child so hard she heard her bones pop and shatter. The attack lasted for at least three minutes.
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While prosecutors could have sought the death penalty, it was no longer an option after evidence was provided of Boniello suffering from a traumatic brain injury. In a press release, Milam County District Attorney Bill Torrey says, “Boniello’s nonviolent past and traumatic brain injury would render any death verdict insufficient and thus be reversed on appeal.” However, it’s added that Boniello has waived all rights to appeal.
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