CLEVELAND — Two men have been indicted for their roles in the brutal killing of a Cleveland woman last month as local and federal officials actively search for a third suspect in the case.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley announced Friday that a grand jury has charged both 49-year-old Jamar Skanes and 34-year-old Alontez Beasley with one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, and five counts of felonious assault for the death of Alyson Appling-France back on Jan. 10. Additionally, Beasley is accused of involuntary manslaughter and having weapons under disability.
Police arrested Skanes and Beasley exactly one week ago, 16 days after Appling-France was killed. Prosecutors shared more information on their alleged crimes today, claiming the two men waited outside the 29-year-old victim's apartment complex near Detroit Avenue and Berea Road before ambushing her as she unloaded groceries.
According to officials, one of the suspects shot Appling-France 17 times before both fled the scene, all while Appling-France's 6 and 10-year-old daughters watched from inside her car. Another unknown individual then drove the victim to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has since confirmed she suffered injuries to her skull, neck, body, and spine, among other things.
"Throughout my career as County Prosecutor, I have seen dozens of horrific cases," O'Malley said in a statement. "This case will stay with me for many years to come. It is unfathomable to think anyone could ambush and execute a mother in front of her two young children. My thoughts and prayers remain with her two daughters and their family during this difficult time."
Along with Skanes and Beasley, Cleveland police and U.S. Marshals are "actively searching" for a third person allegedly involved in the incident, with an active murder warrant currently out for that individual. That suspect's name has not been released, nor has their exact connection to the crime been specified.
A search of county court records by 3News showed Skanes previously pleaded guilty to separate changes of theft and breaking and entering in the 1990s, however the most interesting note stems from late 2022, when he was initially charged with murder for the shooting death of Cleveland's Tyrone Powell Jr. That case was subsequently dismissed three months later, with prosecutors reserving the right to indict Skanes again if more evidence was uncovered.
Meanwhile, Beasley is currently on probation in relation to drug trafficking convictions in 2022, meaning he is not legally allowed to have a gun. He also served 180 days behind bars for drug possession a decade ago.
Both Skanes and Beasley are currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail on $5 million bond apiece, and are set to appear in court at a later date. In the indictment, prosecutors retained the right to pursue the death penalty against the pair, should they deem it necessary.
When Skanes and Beasley were arrested back on Jan. 26, SWAT officers raided a Garfield Heights home they felt the pair may have been hiding in. While the suspects were not found, authorities said one of the officers was attacked by a dog, resulting in the officer shooting and killing the animal.
3News' Dave DeNatale contributed to this report.