[Devil_Anse]

Now that they think they have who did this murder, is anything happening with this case? Any hearings set, etc.?

[kelpier]

April 20, 2004:
Home > News > Latest News

Grand jury indicts man for Tamara Dunstan slaying

Web posted Tuesday, April 20, 2004
By Sandy Hodson | Staff Writer
A Richmond County grand jury indicted Ronald F. Burke today on charges of murder, kidnapping and robbery in the April 15 slaying of Tamara Dunstan.

The indictment alleges Mr. Burke, 25, beat the 29-year-old expectant mother to steal not only paintings and porcelain figurines from her mother's home but also Mrs. Dunstan's wedding and engagement rings.

The indictment charges Mr. Burke with felony and malice murder in the strangulation of Mrs. Dunstan and with felony and malice murder in the death of her unborn child.

[kelpier]

April 23, 2004: Prosecutors will seek the death penalty in the case of Ronald Francis Burke Jr., who is charged in the death of Tamara Dunstan, according to a court document obtained today.

The document, filed with Richmond County Superior Court, states that the death penalty is being sought based on four circumstances, the first of which notes the killing of Mrs. Dunstan during a burglary.

Also listed as a circumstance is the killing of Mrs. Dunstan, which the court document states "was outrageously or wantonly vile, horrible, or inhuman in that it involved torture or depravity of mind, or an aggravated battery to the victim."

Other reasons are the killing of Mrs. Dunstan during her kidnapping, considered a capital felony; and the killing of Mrs. Dunstan's unborn child, the document states. Mrs. Dunstan was three months pregnant at the time of her abduction, which occurred April 15 at her mother's west Augusta house. Mr. Burke was arrested three days later after he admitted to the killing and led authorities to the body of Mrs. Dunstan in rural Edgefield County, police said.