A US Merchant Marine Academy student is set to face trial in Indiana for allegedly strangling his mother after she handed him an eviction notice.
According to charging documents, 19-year-old Connor Kobold is facing two counts of murder and aggravated battery in connection with the death of his mother, Shanelle Burns, an assistant vice president in advancement at Loyola University in Chicago.
On Friday morning, during a hearing to assess Kobold’s competency to represent himself, Porter County Superior Court Judge Mike Fish questioned him about his understanding of court proceedings and his mental health history.
According to court documents obtained by the Chicago Times-Tribune, Kobold admitted that he attacked Burns on February 5, inside her Valparaiso, Indiana, home in the 300 block of Diamond Boulevard, where he had been living with her.
Kobold: “There is a dead person inside of the house on the corner.”
Officer: “A dead person?”
Kobold: “Yeah, I killed somebody in that that (sic) house.”
Officer: “You killed somebody in that house?”
Kobold: “Yes, sir.”
When police arrived at the residence, Kobold asked them to handcuff and detain him. A responding officer reportedly saw scratches on Kobold’s face.
First responders rushed Burns to the hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. The Porter County Coroner’s Office listed her death as a homicide caused by “asphyxiation secondary to manual strangulation.”
Court documents indicated that Burns had given Kobold an eviction letter specifying that he had 30 days to meet certain conditions to avoid eviction. The conditions included securing a full-time job, keeping his room clean, and contributing to the cleanliness of the common areas in their home.
“I guess the most important thing out of the gate here is for me to make sure that you understand the penalty for murder is 45 to 65 years. Do you understand that?” Fished asked Friday morning.
When Kobold confirmed that he understood, Fish outlined the benefits of Kobold having experienced legal representation during court proceedings.
“I believe my case is so unique that the only person who can explain what happened and why it happened is myself,” Kobold said, then confirmed that he had been in at least two in-patient mental health facilities and had seen multiple therapists.
Fish then ordered the defendant to see a doctor to determine “whether you’re capable to represent yourself.”
An omnibus hearing was subsequently set for April 8, with the trial tentatively set for August 6.
Kobold remains behind bars at the Porter County Jail without bond. Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Burns/Facebook; Kobold;Porter County Jail]
