The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced in a statement Tuesday that a federal jury has convicted a former U.S. Army soldier of murdering a pregnant teenage colleague on a U.S. Army base in Germany 23 years ago. did.
A Pensacola, Fla., jury on Monday found Shannon L. Wilkerson, 43, guilty of second-degree murder after presenting court documents and evidence that Wilkerson “beat and strangled her.” was found guilty. [pregnant 19-year-old] “Amanda Gonzalez died at the barracks at Fliegerhorst Kaserne, then a U.S. Army base in Hanau, Germany,” it said on November 3, 2001. Department of Justice statement.
Wilkerson, who was later released from the hospital, believed Gonzalez was pregnant with his child, said Timothy R. Langan Jr., chief of staff for the FBI’s Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Division. said in a statement.
Man convicted in unsolved murder at German military base
🔗: https://t.co/8BrRARgqnW pic.twitter.com/F7sulzq5au
— Criminal Division (@DOJCrimDiv) May 7, 2024
Wilkerson’s wife, identified in court documents as A. Martinez, was also a U.S. Army soldier who was stationed at the Hanau base with Wilkerson and Gonzalez. court documents. Wilkerson and Martinez did not live in the matrimonial dormitory, and Wilkerson reported having some issues with Martinez, documents show. Martinez reportedly lived next door to Gonzalez, and Wilkerson lived in a separate building. Ms. Gonzalez was reportedly 4 1/2 months pregnant and believed that either Wilkerson or another soldier, identified as M. Johnson, had caused her pregnancy. Ms. Martinez was pregnant with Mr. Wilkerson’s child at the same time.
Witnesses said Wilkerson admitted to having an affair with Gonzalez and feared he was the father of Gonzalez’s child, the document said. Gonzalez attempted to end his relationship with Wilkerson and threatened to report the relationship to his commanding officer. Wilkerson threatened to kill Gonzalez because he feared the report could hurt his chances for promotion, the documents said.
Gonzalez was found dead on November 5, 2001, when he did not show up for work. Investigators collected evidence that she was raped and strangled, according to documents. She was last seen alive on November 2, 2001, around 10 p.m., around the same time Wilkerson reportedly left a party on the base, and he He said he didn’t return until around 11 o’clock or midnight. Documents say Wilkerson was drunk early the next morning in his co-worker’s room, putting his hand on his head and saying, “No more, no more, no more.”
Wilkerson will be sentenced on Aug. 8 and faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. (Related: Army sergeant sentenced to life in prison for murder of his fellow soldier)
“His conviction yesterday, more than 20 years later, is a testament to the Department of Justice’s relentless pursuit of justice,” Chief Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri said in part. He also mentioned his relentless tenacity and constant pursuit of clues and clues. According to a statement from the Department of Justice, there is evidence.
“Yesterday’s guilty verdict is a testament to our unwavering resolve. [sic] “We seek justice for victims of violent crimes,” Langan said in a statement from the Department of Justice. “Through law enforcement cooperation, the FBI and our partners will continue to pursue justice for victims, no matter how long it takes.”
