Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

On March 26, 2025, a Pasquotank County jury recommended four sentences of death for Jonathan Michael Monk in the October 12, 2017 murders of Pasquotank Correctional Institution (PCI) employees Veronica Darden, Justin Smith, Geoffrey Howe and Wendy Shannon during a failed escape attempt. Under North Carolina law, a jury in a capital murder trial “recommends” either a sentence of death, or life without the possibility of parole, based on their review of the facts and the law, however the judge is required to accept the jury’s “recommendation,” stated a news release from the district attorney’s office.

The trial was presided over by Pitt County Superior Court Judge Jeffery B. Foster. The prosecution team was comprised of Assistant District Attorneys Kim Pellini and Alexis Massengill and legal assistant Hannah Gilroy.

“The defendant was sentenced by Judge Foster to four consecutive sentences of death. In addition to the four death sentences, the defendant was sentenced to five consecutive active sentences for Assault with a Deadly Weapon with the Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury to PCI employees Scott Stormer, Curtis Casper, Steve Sanders, Jerry Byrum and Timothy Lewis,” stated the release. “Additionally, the defendant received consecutive active sentences for Attempted 1^st degree Murder of PCI employee George Midgett, Felony Burning a Public Building, Felony attempted Escape and Felony Riot. The total active sentences, to run at the expiration of the death sentences, was 60 to 81 years.”

District Attorney Jeff Cruden stated “the sentences imposed by Judge Foster are a testament to the savagery of the assaults committed by the defendant and his companions on the victims. Veronica Darden, Justin Smith, Geoffrey Howe and Wendy Shannon were people just like us, they woke that day and left their families to go to work to make a living, never to return home again. I am amazed at the resiliency of the victim’s families, and the survivors of that horrific day, to stay the course to ensure that justice is served, and those responsible are held accountable. I am also very proud of the members of my office. They worked tirelessly day and night to ensure that those that can no longer speak, have a voice and are remembered.”

For his part in the deadly failed escape attempt, Mikel Edward Brady II was found guilty of his murder charges in a 2019 trial and a jury sentenced him to death. In 2023, Wisezah Datawn Buckman was convicted and sentenced to death for his role in the incident. The trials for Brady and Buckman were both held in Dare County. Seth Frazier is still awaiting trial for his charges in the incident.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!