Mar 31, 2009 6:43 pm US/Eastern
New Twists In Child Starvation Case Involving Cult
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Ria Ramkissoon plead guilty to charges in the death of her baby. But the charges will be dropped if her baby comes back to life.
WJZ is learning more about a bizarre cult whose members have been charged with killing a little boy. Several of them faced a judge Tuesday.
Mike Hellgren investigates the new twists in this headline-making case.
In one home video, you can hear Ria Ramkissoon playing with her son, Javon Thompson. The little boy never made it past the age of two.
Prosecutors say Ramkissoon joined a bizarre cult, whose leader Toni Sloan--also known as Queen Antoinette--believed the child was demon-possessed and ordered him starved.
Ramkissoon's brother described their behavior.
"They go outside shouting at demons," Ricky Ramkissoon, child's uncle.
Now the prosecution is strengthening its case against four others charged in connection with the child's death. Armed with Ramkissoon's testimony, part of an unprecedented plea deal that's making national headlines, it calls for Ramkissoon to testify against other cult members.
As part of our investigation, WJZ exclusively obtained the agreement, which says, "At your client's insistence, the State agrees that if the victim, Javon Thompson, is resurrected from the dead as Toni Sloan predicted, the State will allow Ms. Ramkissoon to withdraw her plea to child abuse resulting in death."
It also says in light of a doctor's "somewhat surprising decision to find her criminally responsible, and based on our conversations with you and your client, the state has agreed to consider a plea agreement that would emphasize treatment rather than punishment."
The special conditions of probation shall include the treatment program devised by Ms. Gilden, including deprogramming sessions with your expert, Rick Ross."
Ross' website calls him an internationally-known expert on destructive cults. He runs an institute in New Jersey.
In another twist, Queen Antoinette agreed to have a lawyer represent her. She originally said God would do it, but the job will now likely fall to the public defender's office.
Queen Antoinette's daughter is also charged. She does not yet have a lawyer. As for Ramkissoon's deal, if she fails to testify, she could once again face a murder charge.
This is the text of the plea agreement:
"This correspondence shall memorialize the plea agreement reached in the above-referenced case.
On March 30, 2009, Ms. Ramkesson [sic] shall enter a plea to Child Abuse Resulting in Death, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. Sentencing shall be deferred until the conclusion of all co-defendant cases. In exchange for the plea, your client shall take the stand and testify truthfully regarding the events surrounding the death of Javon Thompson, consistent with her proffers on October 29, 2009 and March 13, 2009. In addition, she will meet with Devera Gilden. L.C.S.W.-C, who will assess her and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
The Maryland Sentencing Guidelines for Ms. Ramkesson [sic] are 12-20 years of incarceration. However, in light of Dr. Hanson's somewhat surprising decision to find her criminally responsible, and based on our conversations with you and your client, the State has agreed to consider a plea agreement that would emphasis [sic] treatment rather than punishment. As long as Ms. Ramkesson [sic] testifies truthfully and otherwise fully cooperates with the State, we shall join the defense in requesting a sentence of 20 years, suspend all but time served, and 5 years of supervised probation. The special conditions of probation shall include the treatment program devised by Ms. Gilden, including deprogramming sessions with your expert, Rick Ross.
At your client's insistence, the State agrees that if the vicitm, Javon Thompson, is resurrected from the dead as Toni Sloan predicted, the State will ask Ms. Ramkesson [sic] to withdraw her plea to Child Abuse Resulting in Death, and will nol prosse that charge. Should Ms. Ramkesson [sic] fail to comply with her obligations pursuant to the agreement, the State will be free to pursue all charges against her."
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