A former Bank of America banker accused of murdering BofA executive Michelle Avan, his former girlfriend, is scheduled to stand trial starting June 16, court records indicate.
Anthony Duwayne Turner has pleaded not guilty to murder, burglary and forcible rape charges in connection with Avan's slaying on Aug. 3, 2021, and to two “special allegation” charges — murder while committing a rape and murder while committing a burglary — that could result in the death penalty or life in prison without parole if he is convicted.
The California Superior Court for Los Angeles County website shows he is scheduled for a jury trial on June 16 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. A pretrial hearing is set for June 6 in the case (#25CJCF00398-01).
The pretrial hearing will address a motion to dismiss the case, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County district attorney's office told ThinkAdvisor by email Thursday. Turner was in custody as of April, the most recent status reported. In early March, he was granted $2 million bail with conditions.
Authorities allege Turner left Avan's Reseda residence the day after she was killed. Avan, 48, had been promoted to Bank of America senior vice president, head of global women's and under-represented talent strategy global human resources, about two months before she was slain.
Her LinkedIn profile indicates indicates she had served nearly 23 years as a Merrill Lynch managing director.
Jovan Blacknell, Turner's defense lawyer, told ThinkAdvisor by phone Friday that he's seeking dismissal because a superseding indictment filed in January included "baseless charges" related to domestic violence claims — for alleged crimes predating Avan's slaying — involving an ex-wife and an ex-girlfriend.
The real motivation for the superseding indictment was getting Turner into custody, which prosecutors had previously failed to convince the court to do, Blacknell suggested, noting that funds from Turner's bond in the original case are gone and can't be reposted for the new one.
Turner maintains his innocence and the evidence is strong on his side, the lawyer said.
Credit: Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
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