Fullerton triple homicide
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In September, 2016, a triple homicide occurred in Fullerton, California, USA. Several of the people involved were active within the furry fandom, and knew each other through La Habra Fur Bowling, a fursuit bowling social group.[1]
Contents
Events[edit]
On September 19, 2016, Frank "Entey" Felix messaged fellow furry Cody Dunn on Facebook that he was stressed about things he couldn't talk about, and "might be assisting someone in murder".[1][2] When asked for more details, he claimed he had only been talking about "killing an animal".[2]
On Saturday September 24, 2016, at 8:21 a.m., police dispatchers received a 911 call from a young girl who said that her parents had died.[3]
At 8:26 a.m.,[3] police officers responded to a house in the 400 block of South Gilbert Street in Fullerton and found three adults (two men and a woman) dead inside. All of the bodies had "obvious signs of trauma",[4] and later reports elaborated that all three were shot.[5]
Police also located two children inside, ages six and nine.[6] The six-year-old had been the 911 caller.[7] The children were provided with counseling services and taken into the care of relatives.[6]
The victims were eventually identified as Jennifer Goodwill Yost ("Jen-ma" in the furry fandom), her husband Christopher Yost (no relation to Chris "Foxx" Yost), and friend of the family Arthur William Boucher. The two young children found in the house were the children of Christopher and Jennifer.[8]
Police immediately began searching for the children's older sister,[8] 17-year-old Katlynn Goodwill Yost ("Daydreamer Foxwolf" in the furry fandom),[9] who was described as a "missing/at-risk person".[3] She was eventually found safe.[5]
Arrests[edit]
At 8:45 a.m. on Sunday September 25, police arrested two males in connection with the crime.[6] They were identified as 21-year-old Josh Acosta ("Josh Lennon" in the furry/brony fandom) of Fort Irwin and 25-year-old Frank Felix ("Entey Felix" in the furry fandom) of Sun Valley.[6]
A 17-year-old girl was also detained, but state law prevented officers from disclosing the identity of juveniles placed into police custody.[6] Acosta and Felix were held on $1 million bail each, whilst the girl was held in custody at the Orange County Juvenile Hall.[7]
On Tuesday, September 27, Acosta and Felix were charged with three counts of murder, "with the charges including the special circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders".[7] No charges were filed against the 17-year-old girl.[10]
Acosta and Felix's arraignment, initially scheduled for September 27,[11] was postponed until October 28.[11]
On October 28, the arraignment hearing began at the Santa Ana jail.[12] Prior to getting started, Judge Craig E. Robinson asked the defendants' counsels if a request to have media present in the courtroom would be granted, but neither side agreed to have coverage, "given lack of notice".[12] After that, Felix was heard first, and his counsel - speaking on his behalf - requested an alternate arraigment date. This was granted and set for January 13, 2017, at 10 a.m.[12] The same request was granted for Acosta.[12]
On January 13, Felix and Acosta both pleaded not guilty, and were ordered back to court for a pre-trial hearing on March 24.[13]
Trials[edit]
October 22, 2018 Jury trial for Acosta begins.[14]
OC Register reports Katlynn is receiving immunity for her testimony.[15]
November 8, 2018 Jury finds Acosta guilty of; 3 counts Murder - first degree (187(a) PC), 3 counts of special circumstances due to more than single murder victim (190.2(a)(3) PC), 3 counts discharging firearm causing bodily injury or death (12022.53(d) PC).[16]
Sentencing[edit]
December 14, 2018, Joshua Acosta was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences with no possibility of parole, along with an additional 75 years to life for the special-circumstance murder charges.[17]
According to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Acosta is incarcerated at the Mule Creek State Prison, in Amador County, California. [18]
Response[edit]
The relatives of the Yosts set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral expenses and support the two young girls.[10]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "California furry-murder suspect discussed plot online days before killing" - article on New York Daily News by Meg Wagner, dated October 1, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Friend: Fullerton homicide suspect talked about murder on Facebook 4 days before killings" - article on the Orange County Register by Scott Schwebke, dated September 28, 2016. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Three adults found slain in Fullerton home after child calls police; teenager is missing" - report in the L.A. Times. Dated September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
- ↑ "Homicide investigation launched after child calls Fullerton police to report parents ‘died’" - report on the Daily Breeze. Dated September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Two California men charged in suspected murder among 'furries'" - report on AOL News. Dated September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "3 Suspects, Including Teen Girl, in Custody in Fullerton Triple Murder Case: Police" - report on KTLA5. Dated September 25, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Murder charges in triple killing in Fullerton: Child’s frantic 911 call" - article on My News LA. Dated September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 28, 2016.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Furries, Plushies and Voodoo Dolls Surround Family Murder Tragedy" - article on OC Weekly. Dated September 26, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
- ↑ "3 found dead in Fullerton home in 'targeted attack;' 17-year-old reported missing" - report on abc7.com. Dated September 25, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "No charges are filed Tuesday against 17-year-old girl in triple homicide in Fullerton" - article on the Orange County Register. Dated September 27, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2016.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 "2 Men Charged In Fullerton Triple Murder" - article on the CBS Los Angeles website. Dated September 27, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 "Fullerton “Furry” case continues" - article on The Hornet. Dated October 29, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
- ↑ "2 men plead not guilty in Fullerton triple homicide linked to furry community" - article on the Orange County Register. Dated January 13, 2017. Retrieved February 9, 2017.
- ↑ "Trial begins for suspect in 2016 Fullerton triple-homicide, a case that has links to ‘furry’ community" - article on the Orange County Register. Dated October 29, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Daughter of Fullerton shooting victims testifies in trial for 2016 triple-homicide with ties to ‘furry’ community" - article on the Orange County Register. Dated October 31, 2018. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Case number: 16NF2644" - California Supreme Court website case access. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ↑ "Army mechanic gets life without parole for Fullerton triple-murder in case that had ties to the furry community " - article on the Orange County Register. Dated December 14, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
- ↑ [1]- CDCR Inmate Locator. Retrieved March 29, 2020.