A graduate from the University of Florida law school had all the intentions of simply cruelly torturing his girlfriend but wound up beating and strangling her to death, according to a prosecutor. The prosecutor was announcing that the suspect was charged with first-degree murder when making the statement. The suspect, Jason Bohn, was originally arrested on a charge of second-degree murder. On Friday Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown said that the charge was upgraded in a 10-count indictment of Bohn.
The legal language used in the brand new top count claims that the defendant acted in an “especially cruel and wanton manner” and was planning to “torture” Danielle Thomas, 27, inside the couple’s New York City apartment. Thomas is a native of Danville, Kentucky and she attended the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida. Thomas was a member of the Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society at the University of Central Florida.
Thomas worked as a financial analyst for Weight Watchers and had told police on June 7 that Bohn beat her in May. She was left with two black eyes and had to use crutches. She also told police on June 7 that Bohn was sending her threatening text messages and emails. Bohn actually called Thomas’ cellphone while she was at the police station. Thomas put the call on speaker, according to the prosecutor. “A police sergeant heard Bohn say, among other things, that ‘this was war,’ that he would hunt her down like a dog in the streets, and that he would bash in her skull,” the prosecutor said.
That day, Thomas was granted an order of protection against Bohn, who was arrested, arraigned and released. Thomas was discovered dead on June 26 inside the couple’s apartment in Astoria, Queens. Thomas was killed the previous weekend. If Bohn is convicted he faces life in prison without the chance of parole. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on July 23. Bohn’s attorney, Todd Greenberg, has not issued any statements. Police officers found two handwritten notes when Thomas’ body was discovered.
One of the notes read as follows: “It was an accident, it was an accident, it was an accident … I had been drinking and I was drunk when I got home … She was already asleep … I woke up and there was fighting between us … When I woke up again she was unconscious … I am sorry.”
The other note read as follows: “Dani, I will love you forever.”