Anastasia Nicolazzi

But even with the homicide investigation that was just a few hours old, there was already sufficient evidence to obtain an indictment. Evidence that included a bloody washcloth found in Thelma's stolen truck, Brown's own backpack with his ID left at the murder scene, and the fact that Dandrin was actually wearing Thelma's daughter's backpack when she was arrested.

But even with the homicide investigation that was just a few hours old, there was already sufficient evidence to obtain an indictment. Evidence that included a bloody washcloth found in Thelma's stolen truck, Brown's own backpack with his ID left at the murder scene, and the fact that Dandrin was actually wearing Thelma's daughter's backpack when she was arrested.

So to the dismay of Telma's family and her North Shore community, the trial of Stephen Brown did not begin until 2023, nearly six years after the murder.

So to the dismay of Telma's family and her North Shore community, the trial of Stephen Brown did not begin until 2023, nearly six years after the murder.

Brown's family was conspicuously absent from the courtroom, although his foster parents did testify remotely via video and said that Brown had what they described, quote, as a rough childhood and had been the victim of physical abuse as a child.

Brown's family was conspicuously absent from the courtroom, although his foster parents did testify remotely via video and said that Brown had what they described, quote, as a rough childhood and had been the victim of physical abuse as a child.

According to Brown, Telma had indeed surprised them while they were ransacking the vacation home. He then claimed it was Danderent who was carrying the machete and ordered Boyneville to lie down so they could tie her up.

According to Brown, Telma had indeed surprised them while they were ransacking the vacation home. He then claimed it was Danderent who was carrying the machete and ordered Boyneville to lie down so they could tie her up.

And remember, there were also five different weapons that had been used in this vicious attack. So if Brown had not participated in the attack, was it realistic at all that Dandrin would have used all five different weapons herself in this assault on Thelma?

And remember, there were also five different weapons that had been used in this vicious attack. So if Brown had not participated in the attack, was it realistic at all that Dandrin would have used all five different weapons herself in this assault on Thelma?

And remember, Brown and Dandurand were tried separately. And when it was Dandurand's turn to be tried, in her defense, Dandurand claimed that it was she who had been under Brown's control and that Brown had forced her to participate in the crime.

And remember, Brown and Dandurand were tried separately. And when it was Dandurand's turn to be tried, in her defense, Dandurand claimed that it was she who had been under Brown's control and that Brown had forced her to participate in the crime.

So Dandurand asserted what is called in Hawaii a choice of evil defense.

So Dandurand asserted what is called in Hawaii a choice of evil defense.

There was also her behavior as documented in surveillance footage from the shopping center that suggested that she was not just complicit, but lacking any remorse for her participation in the murder.

There was also her behavior as documented in surveillance footage from the shopping center that suggested that she was not just complicit, but lacking any remorse for her participation in the murder.

Telma Boyneville had surprised Brown and Dandrin as they were burglarizing a house, which means really just entering with the intent to commit a crime inside and squatting or setting up camp in another's home without permission. Well, that is, of course, a crime. So that was when they were surprised by Telma. And of course, they could have just run.

Telma Boyneville had surprised Brown and Dandrin as they were burglarizing a house, which means really just entering with the intent to commit a crime inside and squatting or setting up camp in another's home without permission. Well, that is, of course, a crime. So that was when they were surprised by Telma. And of course, they could have just run.

They could have tied Telma up before making their escape and let her live. Instead, they chose to inflict an almost unthinkable amount of violence using a knife, a machete, a baseball bat, and a kitchen mallet to stab, slash, and beat this defenseless woman at this point. Because remember, she's bound to death. And for what? A minor burglary. A thrill.

They could have tied Telma up before making their escape and let her live. Instead, they chose to inflict an almost unthinkable amount of violence using a knife, a machete, a baseball bat, and a kitchen mallet to stab, slash, and beat this defenseless woman at this point. Because remember, she's bound to death. And for what? A minor burglary. A thrill.