Man Charged With Fatal Beating In Astoria
An Astoria man was arrested on Friday, June 29 for the alleged murder of his ex-girlfriend in his apartment building earlier last week, in what law enforcement sources are calling a case of domestic violence.
Jason Bohn, 33, of 33rd Street in Astoria has been charged with the Tuesday, June 26 murder of 27-yearold Danielle Thomas, a resident in the same apartment. He was additionally charged with tampering with evidence and two counts of criminal contempt (one aggravated).
If convicted, Bohn faces up to 25 years to life in prison, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Bohn reportedly delivered a plea of not guilty on Saturday, June 30 before Queens Criminal Court Judge Barry Kron.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the 114th Precinct responded to a call at about 7:30 p.m. last Tuesday to go to Bohn’s apartment. The caller-who allegedly identified himself as Bohn-claimed that a female was unconscious at that location and that he could not call 911 because he was out of the area.
Thomas was found unconscious inside the apartment. Officers from the 114th Precinct and emergency services personnel responded, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Arriving at the scene, police discovered Thomas unconscious, with her body laying face-up in the bathtub surrounded with bags of ice. Bruising was allegedly found on her forehead, face, shoulders, chest and neck; in addition, lacerations were reportedly found on her face, mouth and chest.
According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Thomas sustained broken cartilage in the neck, neck compressions, several fractures to the front, back and sides of her rib cage and a lacerated liver.
The cause of death was listed as blunt force trauma to the neck and torso.
At the time police discovered Thomas’s body, two handwritten notes were allegedly found in the apartment.
The first note allegedly stated, in substance: “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 second note allegedly read, in substance: “Dani, I will love you forever.”
The NYPD announced on Wednesday, June 27 that Bohn was being sought for questioning in the case. Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown announced in a statement that Bohn was found by members of the NYPD’s Violent Felony Apprehension Unit at a restaurant on Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains at about 8 p.m. Friday night, with his mother and attorney.
“Ms. Thomas was a young woman with a bright and promising future whose life was brutally and senselessly cut short allegedly at the hands of the defendant,” District Attorney Brown said in a statement. “This case will be vigorously prosecuted to ensure that justice is served for the victim, her family and other victims of domestic violence.”
Previous history
According to news reports, Bohn and Thomas were once a couple.
The Queens District Attorney’s Office revealed that on June 7, Thomas had gone to the 114th Precinct to report an assault that had allegedly occurred the prior month, claiming that Bohn had punched her in the face, causing two black eyes; had knocked her to the ground, which caused an injury to her knee and required her to use crutches to walk; and that he was sending her threatening e-mails and text messages.
While Thomas was at the precinct, Bohn allegedly called her cell phone, which she put on speaker, and a police sergeant allegedly heard him 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.”
Bohn was arrested later that day and charged with assault and aggravated harassment. He was arraigned on the charges and released on his own recognizance. Thomas was provided at the time with an order of protection that stated, among other things, that Bohn was to refrain from assaulting or harassing her.
Next court date
Bohn is currently being held without bail and was reportedly placed in protective custody and under suicide watch. His next court date is Thursday. July 5 (today).
It was noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
