Group's Ringleader Gets 50 Years In Prison
BALTIMORE --Three people who prosecutors said were part of a cult that starved a toddler because he didn't say amen before meals were sentenced Tuesday to time in prison.
Javon Thompson's body was found in a suitcase in Philadelphia in 2008, more than a year after his death in Baltimore.
The alleged ringleader of the cult, Queen Antoinette, was sentenced by a judge to 50 years in prison. Prosecutors said Antoinette told the child's mother, Ria Ramkissoon, that denying food would cure the boy's rebellious spirit.
Antoinette's daughter, Trevia Williams, and fellow cult member Marcus Cobbs were sentenced to 15 years in prison for second-degree murder and child abuse.
Antoinette told the judge before sentencing that she is not remorseful because she is not guilty, and the truth will eventually come out.
"I believe she really deserves to spend the rest of her life in jail," said assistant state's attorney Julie Drake. "She has no remorse whatsoever. She's taking no responsibility for her actions. I wasn't in the least bit surprised, and I was utterly disgusted."
Judge Timothy Doory called Antoinette a manipulator of lost souls. He told Williams and Cobbs that he is not without hope they can change, and he ordered they not have contact with unrelated minors or group members after their sentences are complete.
Williams told the judge, "I just ask that you use discernment." Cobbs said nothing during the sentencing.
The judge ordered no psychiatric treatment for any of them, saying they showed no remorse, no acceptance of responsibility or empathy for the victim or the family. He said he didn't believe it would benefit them.
"With respect to Queen Antoinette, I don't believe she is mentally ill. She is simply evil," Drake said.
Ramkissoon is already in a residential treatment program for young women as part of unusual plea bargain in which her plea will be withdrawn if the child is resurrected, as she believes.
"With respect to Queen Antoinette, I don't believe she is mentally ill. She is simply evil."
- Assistant State's Attorney Julie Drake
Ramkissoon's mother appeared at sentencing, telling the judge she became a "walking zombie" after the death of her grandson and was not able to eat.
"When he was taken away, so was my happiness," Seeta Newton said, adding, "the most disgusting part of this is they did it in the name of God and the Bible."
Ramkissoon admitted denying food and water to the 16-month-old child, who wasted away over the course of a week before dying.
After Javon died in late 2006 or early 2007, Antoinette told her followers to pray for his resurrection, and the young mother spent weeks with her son's body.
She testified against the other three members of the group in March.
