Ohio man indicted on 42 counts after stabbing teen boy and raping pregnant girl

Devin Thompson, 29, broke into a Cleveland home while already wanted on rape charges, fatally stabbing a 16-year-old and sexually assaulting another teenager.

Cleveland fugitive charged with murder and rape of two teenagers in pre-dawn attack

A grand jury in Ohio has indicted a 29-year-old man on 42 criminal counts after he allegedly broke into a Cleveland residence and stabbed a teenager to death before raping a pregnant 16-year-old girl, according to people.com.

Devin Thompson forced his way into the home in the pre-dawn hours of 13 October, just before 6 a.m., the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office said. At the time, Thompson already had an active arrest warrant for rape and had previously been indicted on counts of rape and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

Once inside, Thompson is accused of fatally stabbing Mitanna Penn, 16, and then sexually assaulting a second 16-year-old female before fleeing. Penn was declared dead at the scene. The second victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment following the arrival of emergency services.

Thompson was apprehended two days later by officers of the Cleveland Police Department.

On 21 October, a grand jury returned a superseding indictment filed in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas. The 42 counts include two counts of aggravated murder, one count of murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of rape, one count of kidnapping, two counts of felonious assault, 13 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor or impaired person, 13 counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, one count of tampering with evidence, one count of menacing by stalking and one count of aggravated menacing. The charges incorporate those from his previous indictment.

Thompson remains in custody and is set to be arraigned at Cuyahoga County Justice Center later this year. The investigation is ongoing.

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O'Malley released a statement following the grand jury's decision. "This case is beyond disturbing and extremely tragic. The defendant's actions demonstrate a complete disregard for human life," O'Malley said. "We will pursue justice for Mitanna Penn and every victim harmed by Devin Thompson."

Penn's aunt, Micháela Penn, paid tribute to her nephew on Facebook ahead of a family memorial. "Your smile lit up a room. You were a great dancer, swaggy af, and so silly. These 16 years of memories I have with you just aren't enough. You had so much more life to live, Tanna. A whole life ahead of you," she wrote. She added that "breaking the news to my mother was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," and vowed: "I promise you, no stone will go unturned in getting justice for you."

Source: The Sun