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Latina Marie Oates, Ohio mother who believed her son, 11, was a demon sentenced.
Mother one count of capital murder in the horrific death of young son.
October 05, 2023
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Latina Marie Oates stands before Judge Dal Williamson in court.

Jones County, Mississippi --  Latina Marie Oates was suffering from a severe mental disorder at the time she killed her son in a Laurel, Mississippi hotel room and is not faking it to try to avoid prison. Dr. Criss Lott of Ridgeland, & Dr. Robert Storer of Baton Rouge, a pair of forensic psychologists testified as a defense in the capital murder trial in Jones County Circuit Court.

 

A jury in Jones County, Mississippi, on Thursday (9/28/23) found Latina Marie Oates guilty of one count of capital murder in the horrific death of young Joshua Oates.

 

The 36-year-old Ohio mother claimed she believed her 11-year-old son was a demon when she killed him in a Mississippi hotel bathroom three years ago, beating him with an “ancient dagger” — which was actually nothing more than a metal bar. The two experts in the field of psychology talked at length about their mental evaluations of Oates, which included plenty of disturbing and bizarre revelations about her mindset leading up to when she killed 11-year-old Joshua in the hotel eventually pushing the bar through the back of his head while her two younger sons were there in the bedroom in March 2020.

Just before that, Oates went down to her car to smoke, Storer said — “I’m not sure if it was marijuana or a cigarette” — and while she was there, she opened the trunk to get the backpack that contained the “ancient dagger.” That’s what she called the piece of metal that she had brought from Ohio after “cleansing” it through some sort of ritual. She ran water in the tub — making it “holy water” by dropping in a piece of toilet paper she had used to wipe herself after urinating — then went to the bed Joshua was in. His “eyes were red, he was growling, he was not human anymore,” Storer said of Oates’ account of what happened at the hotel. She believed she was following the instructions of Jesus to kill a demon, he said.

Oates tried to pierce the youngster’s heart with the ancient dagger, but he woke up and there was a struggle to get him to the bathroom. Her rosary broke and was on the floor in the form of two upside down crosses “indicating there was a demon in the room ... She pushed him under the water, and she doesn’t remember much after that,” Storer said.

 

Joshua Oates, 11, had his life taken by his mother, who doctors say suffered a psychotic break in March of 2020.

 

Attorney Lenderrick Taylor of the Office of Capital Defense questioned Dr. Storer about Oates' intentions to flee, Storer saying that Oates and her other two sons remained there “because Jesus said he’d come get us." Oates said that she threw up, “trying to get the evil out of me,” and that "Jesus told her to take the younger sons and leave." Storer also testified that Oates was “surprised by the arrest” in New Orleans the next day “because she thought Jesus was coming to get (Josh).” She was led to a house in New Orleans that had a fleur de lis on the gate, indicating she would be “the first saint in.” She believed she was fourth in line to Jesus.

 

Oates being transported to appear in court for the murder of her son.

 

After the jury returned its guilty verdict, Circuit Court Judge Dal Williamson ordered Oates to serve a sentence of life in a state correctional facility without the possibility of parole. Jurors rejected the options of finding Oates not guilty by reason of insanity and not guilty but not restored and still presenting a danger to society.

Throughout the trial, Oates’ defense attorneys argued that she was in the midst of a psychotic break when she brutally killed her son. A forensic psychologist testified for the defense earlier in the week that she did not know what she was doing was wrong at the time.

The attack on the boy was brutal — he suffered more than 60 wounds — and Oates’ two other sons told authorities they heard Joshua pleading with his mother and saying, “Why are you doing this?” 

Oates was arrested in March 2020 after she took her three children from their Ohio home and drove to Mississippi without telling her husband where they were going.

 

Oates on March 17, 2020, was spotted on surveillance footage with her two younger children leaving the Hampton Inn in Laurel. Shortly after they departed the hotel, authorities found Joshua’s body inside their room and issued an arrest warrant for Oates. She was later arrested in New Orleans.

Prosecutors with the Jones County District Attorney's Office argued that Oates knew what was doing when she hit Joshua more than 60 times with a 1 ½-inch metal rod and left his body for a hotel housekeeper to find late on the morning of March 14, 2020. By then, authorities said Oates fled with her other two sons, then ages 9 and 6, to New Orleans, where police arrested her March 15, 2020, after Mississippi authorities issued an Amber Alert for them.

Oates' husband, Mark, testified for the defense at trial that problems with his wife began in January 2020, when she became overly religious and was struggling to the point that EMS personnel were called to the home in February 2020 because he did not know what to do. Although Latina Oates' mother urged him to tell the medics that her daughter was a threat to herself and others when he called her, Mark Oates testified he did not feel that way at the time. Oates testified that, one morning in March his wife took the three boys hiking and then left for Mississippi because she said she had to get away, when police came to the father a few days later to tell him that Joshua was dead, Mark Oates testified they asked him why his wife would go to New Orleans. He said he told them about Marie Laveau, a New Orleans woman famous for her practice of voodoo in the 1800s to heal and help others, with whom Latina Oates believed she shared ancestry.

 

Oates stands before a Judge and jury after verdict is read in the murder of her son Joshua.

 

A “creeping onset of symptoms” of schizophrenia began in January 2020, three months before Joshua was killed, Dr. Storer said. That’s when Oates began hearing the voice of her deceased grandmother, who was from Laurel. She told Oates to get her husband — from whom she was separated — back in the house with their boys. 

She took unplanned trips to Chicago and Florida, but during the latter, believed “someone put a hex on her.” She was reading Michelle Obama’s book and believed the former first lady was “speaking to her and telling her that Obama was a demon,” Storer said.

Oates made the trek to Laurel because Jesus told her she needed to “go where your roots are” and get her “kids out of hell,” referring to Columbus, Ohio. The two younger sons were there, so she got them and went to pick up Josh, who had spent the night at a friend’s house. The people there were “witches and warlocks ... and (Josh) had been attacked by demons and was becoming a demon,” Storer testified.

Oates drove straight through for 10 hours to Laurel with no GPS as “ghosts lined up along the highway...to taunt me, scare me” and she was supposed to meet a cousin here, but she didn’t show up.

The “ancient dagger,” which was a piece of metal that had been discovered by middle son Mark back in Ohio, had been “used to kill ancient demons,” voices told Oates. Those voices instructed her to “find Native American ground” to bury it in, but when she got to a national forest to do that, the voices told her to “hold on” to it, Storer said. Oates and the boys then went to a theater to watch “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and during that, she heard voices say that a “blue devil is coming to attack us,” and she needed to touch stone, so she “stuck her hands in the toilet.”

Dr. Lott described Oates as “very delusional,” noting that she had, at different times, believed she was Cleopatra, that she was Mary Magdalene and married to Jesus and that she was voodoo queen Marie Laveau. His evaluations were in November and December of 2021 while Storer’s was three years after the incident.

Oates told Lott that she had believed her oldest son was a demon “and she had to kill him so he wouldn’t kill my other son, who was Jesus Christ.” 

 

When public defender Cruz Gray asked Lott his opinion of what should be done for Oates, he said, “She should be hospitalized, carefully monitored and treated in a psychiatric setting. Without medication, the voices won’t go away. With medication, she can function reasonably well and interact with others appropriately.”

Both psychologists said that Oates had a family history of schizophrenia and that she was sexually abused when she was 12. Both also testified that she believed “to a reasonable degree of medical certainty,” that she really believed she was killing a demon, not her son.

Latina Oates did not testify in her own defense.The Jones County (Mississippi) jury deliberated less than five hours before reaching its decision on the fourth day of her trial. Prosecutors did not seek the death penalty. 

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Iryna Zarutska: A Life of Art, Dreams, and Unfinished Stories
Something more than a name in headlines

Kyiv, Ukraine, 2002 -- The city hummed with the familiar cadence of morning: the rattle of trams on cobblestone streets, the scent of fresh bread drifting from corner bakeries, and the distant murmur of children playing in narrow alleyways. Among them was Iryna Zarutska, a small girl with wide eyes that drank in everything around her. Her world was bright, layered with textures and colors she would later bring into her art. She had an artist’s mind even then: noticing the subtle curve of a tree branch, the interplay of sunlight on peeling paint, the way shadows could transform a simple courtyard into a stage for imagination.

Born on May 22, 2002, Iryna was the daughter of a quiet but determined family. Life in Kyiv was simple, though not without challenges. Her childhood was filled with the laughter of siblings, afternoons spent with friends, and long hours in school where her curiosity set her apart. While many children rushed through lessons, Iryna lingered on details—the way letters could form shapes, the colors of the sky shifting with the seasons, and the possibilities that existed in creating something entirely new from the mundane.

 

Her parents nurtured her creativity. At home, she carved small sculptures from clay, stitched tiny pieces of fabric into experimental clothing, and filled notebooks with sketches of designs, animals, and faces. Her imagination was inexhaustible. Teachers quickly noticed her aptitude for art, recommending classes and programs to further hone her skills. But even with recognition, Iryna’s creativity remained deeply personal—a reflection of her soul rather than a pursuit of acclaim.

By mid 2022, the shadows of war stretched across Ukraine. For Iryna and her family, the familiar streets of her childhood became tinged with danger and uncertainty. Air raid sirens punctuated the nights, turning sleep into restless tension. Her home, once a sanctuary, became a reminder that safety was fleeting. Conversations were hushed, and the urgency of departure became unavoidable.

The decision to leave Kyiv was not made lightly. They carried little—clothes, documents, a few personal mementos—but took with them a hope that America would offer a chance to rebuild, to live freely, to let Iryna continue the life she had started to shape in art and learning. The journey was fraught with uncertainty: trains crowded with strangers, hours of waiting in border queues, the constant worry for safety, and the quiet fear of leaving everything familiar behind.

 

Arriving in Charlotte, North Carolina, was both relief and culture shock. The city was bustling in ways Kyiv never had been—brightly lit streets, the hum of cars, the accents of people who had no memory of the streets Iryna once knew. For her, each step was a negotiation between nostalgia and curiosity. She began attending classes, navigating a new language, and slowly learning the rhythms of a world that was at once thrilling and alien.

Despite the upheaval, Iryna remained herself: intensely curious, endlessly creative, and quietly observant. She took small jobs to help her family, eventually working at Zepeddie's Pizzeria. She was meticulous even in the simplest tasks, folding pizza boxes with care, greeting customers with a shy but genuine smile, and offering small acts of kindness that made coworkers feel noticed and valued.

Outside of work, she nurtured her passions. She continued to draw, sculpt, and experiment with clothing designs. She would wander local streets with a sketchbook, capturing moments of urban life: the curve of a wrought-iron fence, the unexpected alignment of neon signs, the dog chasing a squirrel in a park. Each sketch, each small creation, was a statement of existence—a refusal to be defined by fear or displacement.

 

Her love for animals was evident in every neighborhood dog she met. She would often help neighbors with their pets, walking them or offering care when they were ill. Friends recall that she had a way of connecting with animals, calming even the most skittish dogs with patience and warmth.

Charlotte became Iryna’s second home, but it was more than a place—it was a canvas. She approached each day with quiet determination, exploring her surroundings with the curiosity of an artist and the heart of someone who had learned to treasure small joys.

At Zepeddie's Pizzeria, she was more than just an employee; she was a presence that colleagues described as “gentle but radiant.” She remembered regular customers’ names, noticed when someone was having a rough day, and would offer a word of encouragement or a shared laugh. In a world where she had to rebuild from scratch, she never lost sight of kindness.

Outside work, she nurtured friendships that reflected her thoughtful nature. Though initially shy, she had a magnetic authenticity that drew people to her. Friends remember her willingness to listen without judgment, to celebrate others’ successes as much as her own. Her conversations often turned to art, to animals, to dreams of creating something meaningful. She was always sketching, designing, or talking about her next project—her eyes lighting up when explaining a new idea.

 

Art remained the heartbeat of her life. She continued to design clothing, blending influences from her Ukrainian heritage with the textures and colors of her new environment. Her creations were personal explorations of identity, resilience, and imagination. She shared some pieces with friends, always insisting they were gifts, never for recognition. Every stitch, every brushstroke, was a quiet assertion of life’s beauty in the face of uncertainty.

Her aspirations were deeply rooted in compassion. Iryna dreamed of becoming a veterinary assistant, motivated by her love of animals and her desire to make a tangible difference. She spent hours reading about animal care, shadowing professionals when possible, and learning to drive to increase her independence. For someone who had already endured displacement and uncertainty, these ambitions were more than career goals—they were acts of hope.

Evenings often found her walking through her neighborhood, sketchbook in hand, sometimes stopping to watch a dog play or to observe the interplay of light and shadow on buildings. She noticed details that most overlooked—the curve of a lamppost, the way leaves trembled in the wind. In those quiet moments, her artistic mind intertwined with her empathetic heart, producing observations that would later form the soul of her work.

But life, as it often does, proved cruelly indifferent. On August 22, 2025, Iryna’s journey was violently cut short. She was stabbed in a senseless act of violence while simply existing in the world she had begun to make her own. Video evidence from the incident revealed disturbing racial undertones in the perpetrator’s words "I got that white girl", amplifying the horror of the attack.

 

The news sent ripples through Charlotte and beyond. People struggled to reconcile the vibrancy of her life with the brutality of her death. Friends and colleagues mourned not just the loss of a coworker or neighbor, but the loss of a soul whose curiosity, creativity, and empathy had left an indelible mark on everyone she met.

Her family, still reeling from the trauma of displacement, faced the unimaginable grief of losing a child who had only begun to flourish. They chose to bury her in the United States, cementing the bond she had formed with the community she had grown to love. Every tribute, every vigil, every whispered memory underscored the enormity of what was taken too soon.

The days following August 22, 2025, were suffused with disbelief and sorrow. Friends, neighbors, and coworkers struggled to reconcile the image of the vibrant, compassionate young woman they knew with the violence that had ended her life. For Iryna’s family, who had already endured the trauma of displacement, the grief was all-encompassing. Her mother, who had once watched her daughter’s small hands mold clay into delicate forms, now faced the impossible reality of burying the child who had once been her heartbeat. Her sister, equally devastated, struggled to grasp that the person she shared laughter, secrets, and dreams with would never return.

In Charlotte, the community responded with vigils and tributes. Candles were lit along sidewalks, flowers piled outside local businesses, and neighbors left handwritten notes remembering the young woman who had touched their lives in small but unforgettable ways. At Zepeddie’s Pizzeria, a makeshift memorial grew over days, adorned with sketches, stuffed animals, and photographs. Each item was a testament to Iryna’s presence, a physical manifestation of the love she inspired.

 

Local artists and friends contributed in their own ways. Some organized small exhibitions of her sketches and designs, honoring her creativity. Others shared memories on social media—stories of her gentle demeanor, her playful sense of humor, her unwavering care for animals. These narratives painted a fuller picture of the person behind the headlines, reminding the world that she was more than a tragic statistic.

The attack itself sparked national outrage. The video of the incident, in which the perpetrator was captured uttering racially charged statements, added an agonizing layer to the tragedy. Law enforcement treated the case as a federal hate crime, highlighting the racial and ethnic undertones of the violence. Public discourse quickly centered on issues of safety, immigration, racial bias, and the responsibilities of communities to protect the vulnerable.

For many, Iryna became a symbol—a young refugee whose life was stolen simply because of who she was. Advocates for immigrant and refugee communities pointed to her story as a reminder of the unique vulnerabilities these groups face, and the need for systemic protections. The narrative of her life, now intertwined with her untimely death, became a call to action for some, and a poignant reminder of human fragility for others.

 

 President Trump responded to the killing of Iryna Zarutska calling her killer a "Derranged Monster." 

 

Amid the sorrow, Iryna’s life continues to leave an indelible mark. Her art, sketches, and designs endure as testaments to her creativity, a permanent reminder of her vision. Friends recall her quiet acts of kindness—how she cared for neighborhood pets, listened without judgment, and brightened ordinary moments with a warm smile.

Her story is also a testament to resilience. Despite having to rebuild her life in a foreign country, facing linguistic and cultural barriers, she pursued her passions, formed meaningful connections, and nurtured dreams that were uniquely hers. In this, she inspires—not just those who knew her, but anyone who learns of her journey.

Memorials, both in Charlotte and online, serve as spaces for reflection. Her story has been shared widely, ensuring that her life, her talents, and her humanity are remembered. For those who continue to honor her, Iryna Zarutska is not a footnote in a news cycle—she is a vibrant spirit whose essence transcends the tragedy that ended her life.

Iryna Zarutska’s story is a mosaic of color, light, and fleeting shadows. From the streets of Kyiv to the neighborhoods of Charlotte, she carried an unspoken tenacity—a quiet determination to live fully, to create beauty in a world that often demanded endurance over expression. Her hands, skilled in sculpting and stitching, were instruments of both art and empathy. Every thread she wove, every line she sketched, was a declaration: she existed, she mattered, and she would leave a mark, however small or subtle.

Her life, though brief, resonates far beyond the boundaries of her immediate circle. She reminds us that even amidst displacement, fear, and uncertainty, the human spirit can thrive. Iryna did not allow the war she fled to define her; instead, she transformed it into fuel for her ambitions, for her artistry, and for the compassion she extended to those around her. In the simplest acts—caring for a neighbor’s dog, smiling at a stranger, folding pizza boxes with care—she wove threads of meaning that are now part of the fabric of her community.

 

The tragedy of her death underscores the fragility of life and the dangers of hatred in its many forms. Yet, it also magnifies the depth of her presence in the lives she touched. In mourning her, the world is reminded of the value of empathy, of creativity, of the everyday choices that make life rich. The vigils, memorials, and shared stories are not just about loss—they are about affirmation. They are proof that one life, lived fully and kindly, ripples outward, shaping others in ways that can never be erased.

Her art, her sketches, and the designs she left behind remain a testament to imagination unrestrained. Friends recall how she would become lost in her work, her eyes alight with concentration, a subtle smile forming as she translated thought into form. Those who knew her remember the softness behind her laughter, the attentiveness behind her listening, the courage behind her dreams. Every memory shared, every tribute made, amplifies the impact of her life, refusing to let it be reduced to a statistic or a single tragic headline.

Iryna’s journey, cut short though it was, speaks to the enduring power of presence and intention. She reminds us that even in the face of adversity, beauty can be cultivated, love can be given freely, and life can be lived with purpose. Her story is a challenge to all of us: to notice the small moments, to honor those around us, to act with kindness, and to leave a mark that, like hers, will echo long after we are gone.

In remembering Iryna Zarutska, we remember more than a victim of tragedy; we remember an artist, a dreamer, a daughter, a sister, a friend, and a human being whose vibrancy touched the world. Her life, though unfinished, continues to teach, inspire, and move us. And in that, she achieves a permanence far beyond headlines—a legacy of love, creativity, and courage that will endure, refusing to be forgotten.


Chris O'Neil © Trash Media Group 2025

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Watertown Resident Arrested After Knife-and-Wooden-Club Incident

WATERTOWN, NY — Edward C. Howarth III, 59, of Elm Street, was arrested by Watertown Police on August 1, 2025, following an altercation with a neighbor that escalated dangerously. His charges reflect both the violation of court orders and violent conduct in the community.

Watertown authorities were called to 118 Elm Street at approximately 11:39 a.m. on August 1 in response to a neighbor dispute. According to police, Howarth became embroiled in a verbal argument with a neighbor that quickly escalated—at one point he brandished a wooden club and struck the neighbor on the wrist. Howarth himself reportedly sustained minor injuries during the confrontation .

He faces the following charges:

Second-degree menacing (Class A misdemeanor): accused of intentionally placing the neighbor in fear by swinging a stick and threatening violence.

Third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (Class D felony): for possessing a weapon during the altercation.

Assault in the third degree (Class A misdemeanor): inflicted physical injury to the neighbor, who suffered wrist trauma.

Police also noted that Howarth has prior criminal convictions and was ultimately held pending arraignment.

Eyewitness and community posts echo the official account, emphasizing how a routine neighbor dispute quickly turned threatening when Howarth escalated the exchange by wielding both a knife and a wooden club. The weaponized nature of his actions elevated the incident to multiple criminal charges, not simply a disturbance at the property boundary.

The neighbor, though injured, was treated for non-life-threatening wrist injuries. Howarth’s behavior alarmed the community, particularly since he reportedly violated a previous stay-away order, making the confrontation all the more concerning in context of community safety and legal compliance.

Howarth is currently held at Jefferson County Jail awaiting arraignment. The pending court review will determine whether bail is set and schedule upcoming hearings.

Should the prosecution proceed with all charges as reported, Howarth may face both misdemeanor and felony penalties. It's too early to predict sentencing, but violations involving weapons and violations of protection orders often carry enhanced penalties.

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Jefferson County Police Blotter 07/28/25

WATERTOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICE BLOTTER
Date: July 28, 2025

Frank Joseph Guice, 57, of Watertown, NY
Arrested at 9:00 p.m. on July 25 at 519 Clay St., upstairs, on charges of Menacing in the 2nd Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 4th Degree. Guice allegedly held a folding knife near a woman’s throat and threatened to kill her during a domestic dispute. Held for arraignment in CAP Court.


Brianna Marie Watts-Chainey, 37, homeless
Arrested at 5:20 p.m. on July 25 at 427 Flower Ave E for Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree. Police say she unlawfully entered a closed garage on private property. Released with an appearance ticket returnable August 14.


Stephen William Tucker, 54, homeless
Arrested at 5:20 p.m. on July 25 at 427 Flower Ave E for Criminal Trespass 3rd Degree and False Personation. Tucker allegedly entered the same garage unlawfully and then gave officers a false name and date of birth. Released with an appearance ticket returnable August 14.


Hamed Saleh-Ali Hamed, 24, of Watertown, NY
Arrested at 10:50 p.m. on July 25 at 430 Factory St. (7-Eleven) for Disorderly Conduct. Accused of causing public alarm by yelling in the parking lot. Released with an appearance ticket.


Khalid Mekhi Baylor, 25, of Monroe, NY
Arrested at 2:12 a.m. on July 26 at Public Square for Disorderly Conduct. Police allege Baylor engaged in violent, threatening behavior, yelling at a bystander and a police officer. Released with an appearance ticket for August 14.


Erik Allan Massey, 38, of Watertown, NY
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Matthew Hobart Lynch, 44, homeless
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Richard Scott Frizzell, 21, of Watertown, NY
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Amber Lee Burns, 34, homeless
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NY STATE POLICE BLOTTER – TROOP D, ZONE 3

Jordan James DeMarco Miller, 19, Fort Drum, NY
Involved in a personal injury motor vehicle accident on State Route 126 in the Town of Rutland at 12:44 PM. One person was reported injured. The case was closed.

Noah David Jermyn‑Sanchez, 26, Rochester, NY
Arrested following a domestic dispute in the Town of Orleans near Alexandria Bay. Troopers responded at 3:14 AM and took him into custody by 5:59 AM. Charges are pending. Case remains open.

Joseph James Martin, 24, Watertown, NY
Involved in a property damage-only crash in the Town of Champion at 3:42 PM. The vehicle sustained damage but no injuries were reported. Case closed.

Unnamed Male, Age Withheld, Hastings, NY
Troopers responded to a report of an unattended death at 6:59 AM in the Town of Hastings. The cause was determined to be natural. Investigation remains open pending documentation.


Trash Media Group 2025

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