Murder USA Deangelo Hemsley convicted of the murder of John Yates at Yates Place
LA PLATA, MD—Tony Covington, State’s Attorney for Charles County, announced that on Friday, June 14, 2019, after a two-part, bifurcated trial, a Charles County jury found Deangelo Hemsley, 42 of Waldorf, criminally responsible for the First-Degree Murder of John Yates, Home Invasion, First-Degree Assault, Second-Degree Assault, Kidnapping, and False Imprisonment.
Hemsley was previously convicted of the aforementioned charges on June 12, 2019, by members of the jury. After establishing his guilt, jurors then found that Hemsley was criminally responsible for committing the acts in a separate proceeding, despite his plea of not criminally responsible.
On April 23, 2016, officers responded to the 12800 block of Yates Place in La Plata for the report of a person with a weapon. When officers arrived, they located victim John Yates suffering from several stab wounds to his upper body. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers also found Hemsley, Yates’ son-in-law, attempting to escape the area; however, he was apprehended that night.
An investigation revealed that during the evening hours of April 23rd, Hemsley made entry into Yates’ residence yielding a knife and bar. Yates’ family was present at the time and did not expect Hemsley’s arrival. After entrance, Hemsley demanded to know where his daughter, who was inside of the residence, was located. Hemsley then asked for the location of Yates, who was in a lower level. Within seconds of receiving Yates’ location from a family member, Hemsley went to Yates and immediately began attacking him with the knife, stabbing him multiple times and causing deep lacerations in the face and neck area. Hemsley’s then 12 year-old-daughter and a 15-year-old juvenile were present during parts of the attack.
After stabbing Yates, Hemsley grabbed his daughter’s hand and put her in his vehicle. Thankfully, she was able to escape through a window and run to safety back inside of the residence, barricading herself in a room with a dresser.
A DNA analysis conducted on the knife used in the assault revealed that it contained both Hemsley’s and Yates’ DNA. Hemsley also had Yates’ blood still on his clothing while being apprehended.
A sentencing date has been set for September 5, 2019.
LA PLATA, MD. — Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry reports a quick arrest of a man charged with the murder of father-in-law.
On April 23, 2016, at 8:17 p.m., officers responded to a single-family home in the 12800 block of Yates Place in La Plata, Md., for the report of a stabbing.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male inside his house with multiple stab wounds; he was pronounced dead at the scene. The preliminary investigation revealed the suspect has been separated from his wife for the past six months.
Police say she was living with her father, the victim, at Yates Place.
Charles County Sheriff Troy Berry reports that the suspect arrived at the house, unannounced, looking for his 12-year-old daughter.
During that time, police say Hemsley confronted the victim, John Edward Yates, 71, and stabbed him several times. The suspect then forced his daughter – at knifepoint – into his car.
The suspect’s daughter was able to get out of the vehicle and escape on foot. Officers observed the suspect attempting to flee, but they were able to apprehend him.
The suspect, Deangelo Hemsley, 39, of Waldorf, was arrested and transported to the Charles County Detention Center where he was charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and kidnapping. Detective John Elliott is investigating.
Hemsley, of 2588 Sussex Court, in Waldorf, Md., was convicted of assault in Charles County District Court on Jan. 23, 1998. He was sentenced to four days in jail.