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Man charged in 1999 murder is returned to Utah

10 charges » Prosecutors to proceed with case

By Lindsay Whitehurst

The Salt Lake Tribune

Posted: 03/01/2009 05:51:01 PM MST

Donald Younge

A man charged with killing University of Utah drama student Amy Quinton nine years ago has been returned to Utah to face murder charges.

Donald E. Younge Jr., 42, had been in an Illinois jail awaiting trial in connection with the murders of three women there. But those charges were dropped after questions arose about a crime lab technician in the case, said Alicia Cook, a spokeswoman for the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office.

"There was a question about that person's honesty," she said. The case also was complicated when a woman who was expected to testify against Younge was found in 2004 stabbed to death in an unrelated case. After the charges were dismissed last month, Younge was ordered to stay in the St. Clair County jail, pending transfer to Utah, the Belleville News-Democrat reported. He was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on Saturday.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office filed 10 charges, including aggravated murder and burglary, against Younge in May Prosecutors did not say why they chose to file charges then, only that the case proceeded slowly because Quinton and her roommates did not know their attacker. He had been considered a suspect since at least 2002.

"We feel we'll be able to go forward," Cook said. "That's why we took the steps to bring him back. It's unfortunate the charges in Illinois were dismissed ... but we're glad to have the opportunity to bring closure to our cases."

She said she didn't know whether prosecutors would seek the death penalty.

According to charging documents, Younge broke into the apartment Quinton shared with two roommates near downtown Salt Lake City in August 1999. He held a knife to one woman's throat and when Quinton tried to call 911, he told police the call was a mistake.

He handed the three women a roll of duct tape and told them to tie themselves up, then took wallets and cash. He started to leave, then allegedly turned around and stabbed 22-year-old Quinton and one of her roommates. The other woman survived.

Younge also is charged with the 1996 rape of another University of Utah student.

lwhitehurst@sltrib.com

Murder/Suicide in rural Waterloo

On 11-02-08 at 8:35 PM a cellular 9-1-1 call came into the Monroe County Dispatch Center about a shooting at 4567 Orlet Road, unincorporated Waterloo. A female called and said her friend had been shot by her friend’s husband. The female drove to a nearby neighbor’s house and waited for police. St. Clair County Sheriff’s Deputies, Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputy, Illinois State Police and Waterloo Police all responded to the residence. Upon their arrival they could see two bodies, a male and a female, lying inside the residence near the front door. The residence was locked and Deputies had to secure the perimeter then force entry through a kitchen window. Once inside they discovered the male and female were both obviously deceased. Monroe County EMS was on scene and confirmed this.

The female friend told Investigators she went with: Joan M. Scharf, w/f, 41 years old, same address to her residence to pick up a book bag for her children. She had been separated from her husband and they were going through a divorce. She had been living somewhere else with the children. Joan Scharf drove her vehicle with the female friend in the passenger seat. Joan Scharf entered her residence through the front door and the female friend heard a loud noise she thought was a door slamming. She continued to sit in the vehicle and then saw the husband: Brian K. Scharf, w/m, 41 years old, same address. Brian Scharf walked out of the front door and walked towards the car. Brian Scharf told her he just shot Joan and she better leave. She looked down and saw him holding a large black revolver. She slid over to the driver’s seat and put the car in reverse to drive away and called 9-1-1.

Investigators from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene and St. Clair County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene. The following information was discovered:

• Joan Scharf died of multiple gun shots to the head inflicted by Brian Scharf.
• Brian Scharf then shot himself in the head and died at the scene.
• Brian Scharf was still holding a black .357 revolver in his hand. The gun had several spent shells and several live bullets.
• Joan Scharf was still holding the child’s book bag.
• Joan and Brian were in the middle of a separation.
• There had been no previous police calls at this residence or reported domestic abuse. Neither had ever been charged with a crime in St. Clair County.
• The three children of the Scharf’s were with the female friend’s husband at the time of the shooting.
• The children are currently with relatives.
• About 50 rifles and pistols were secured from the residence by Sheriff’s Investigators.
• The investigation is ongoing.

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Captain Steve Johnson

Chief Investigator

Criminal Investigation Section

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department

618-277-3505 x5715

Suspect charged in O'Fallon strangulation; bail set at $1 million

Friday, Sep. 26, 2008

Police on Thursday charged Santoin D. Russell, of unincorporated O'Fallon, with first-degree murder in connection with the strangulation of Blake M. Harvey, of unincorporated O'Fallon.

The Major Case Squad made the announcement at the St. Clair County Jail.

Russell, 23, has been held at the St. Clair County Jail since Wednesday, after police found him about 1 a.m. at his house in the 700 block of Forest Green Drive. His bail has been set at $1 million.

Russell and the victim were "mere acquaintances" said Granite City Police Maj. Jeff Connor, who is also the deputy commander of the Major Case Squad.

Connor said the victim died sometime between the evening of Sept. 19 and the morning of Sept. 20.

Russell was at the house with the victim's consent, and there was an altercation between the two. Connor would not comment on whether a weapon or drugs were found at the house, and said investigators will not comment on a motive.

"We don't want to release everything with the evidence that we have," Connor said.

Harvey, 46, was found dead about 9:30 a.m. Sunday in his home at 621 E. State St. near O'Fallon, where he lived alone.

Police investigated about 80 leads that they received with the public's help, according to Madison County Sheriff's Lt. Mike Dixon, who is working with the squad.

About 16 to 20 detectives worked on the case at any given time, Dixon said, and they were "working a lot of hours, putting in a diligent effort."

Harvey spent three stints in state prison for drug-related charges.

Harvey is survived by his brothers, Ricky Harvey and Frederick Singleton; his biological daughter, Candace Harvey; his son by marriage, Jonathan Johnson; and his ex-wife Penny Harvey.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the L. King Funeral Chapel, 7711 W. Main St. in Belleville.

Additional visitation hours will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday before funeral services at noon at the Christ the King Apostolic Church, 6920 Old Collinsville Road in O'Fallon.

Contact reporter Jacqueline Lee at jlee@bnd.com or 239-2655

Victim identified in December 23 homicide

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a homicide which occurred on 12-23-07 at about 1830 hours. A male victim:

Andrew Hankins

Male, black

Age 32

2143 St. Louis Ave.

E. St. Louis, IL 62205

was stabbed to death in an apartment at 217 Freedom Drive Apartment F near unincorporated Belleville. The victim was transported via ambulance to Belleville Memorial Hospital and pronounced deceased at the hospital with multiple stab wounds to the chest. One stab wound punctured his heart.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department worked throughout the night interviewing witnesses and neighbors. Illinois State Police Crime Scene processed the scene. A knife, believed to be the murder weapon, was located at the scene. Late last night Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department, led by Sgt. Dan Stockett, arrested the suspect (pictured below) at his residence in E. St. Louis. The suspect was taken to the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and questioned.

Subsequent to the criminal investigation the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office (ASA Joe Christ) charged the suspect with one count of FIRST DEGREE MURDER. The bond assigned by a judge was $1,500,000.00. The suspect is currently in custody at the St. Clair County Jail.

All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

First Degree Murder

$1,500,000.00 BOND

Homicide 12/23/2007

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a homicide which occurred on 12-23-07 at about 1830 hours. A male subject was stabbed to death in an apartment at 217 Freedom Drive near unincorporated Belleville. The victim was transported via ambulance to Belleville Memorial Hospital and pronounced deceased at the hospital with multiple stab wounds to the chest.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department are working the homicide investigation and have taken a person of interest into custody for questioning in E. St. Louis. Investigators will continue working throughout the night on the homicide investigation.

A press conference/release will most likely be set up tomorrow (12-24-07) afternoon. Should you have further questions please contact me at the below number.