The Antelope Valley Times

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Three face trial for attempted murder, racist rampage at AV Mall

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Charles Thompson, 42, faces trial for attempted murder, burglary, hate crime and assault.

LANCASTER – Three men accused of trying to murder a man in an east Lancaster home and then confronting strangers at the Antelope Valley Mall, in a separate, racially-motivated attack, were ordered to stand trial Tuesday.

Charles Earl Thompson, 42, James Steven Fallon, 36, and Charles Ward Marvin, 43, face charges of attempted murder, burglary and assault. Thompson and Fallon are also charged with a hate crime and assault, sheriff’s officials said.

The charges stem from two separate incidents on June 9, 2012.

In the first incident, the men stormed a Lancaster home and stomped, kicked and pistol whipped a man as he begged for his life, according to testimony given at the preliminary hearing Tuesday.

The victim, Edward Donato, testified that he was at his girlfriend’s home on 8th Street East in Lancaster when the men came by around 7 p.m. on June 9.

Charles Marvin, who is the estranged husband of Donato’s girlfriend, began frantically knocking on the door, Donato testified. He said he told Marvin to go away.

“I told him I’m gonna call the police,” Donato said.

Donato said he walked away from the door to call authorities, but before he could do so, the door was kicked open and James Fallon entered with a gun.

“I panicked and ran out the back door,” Donato said.

James Fallon, 36, faces trial for attempted murder, burglary, hate crime and assault.

He said Fallon caught up to him and pistol whipped him over the head before dragging him back to the patio. Then Charles Thompson joined in and began choking him and beating him, Donato testified.

“As I was on the ground, I was being stomped and hit,” Donato said.

Donato testified that Marvin pulled out a knife and said he was “God in this town,” before threatening to kill him.

Donato said he pleaded for his life and tried to negotiate with the men by telling them he would leave the state.

“I wanted Charles [Marvin] to think he could have his wife back,” Donato testified.

Donato said the men stopped beating him and left because they thought authorities were on their way.

Prosecutor Ted Swanson entered into evidence four photos of Donato taken after the alleged assault.

In describing the photos, Donato said his right eye was black and swollen shut, his lip was busted and there were shoeprints on his right cheek and on his forehead.

“My face is completely and totally destroyed,” Donato said.

Approximately one hour later, the three men went to the Antelope Valley Mall in Palmdale, and Fallon and Thompson allegedly confronted two Black men in the parking lot, used racial slurs toward the two victims, and chased the victims while holding pocket knives, sheriff’s officials said.

At the preliminary hearing Tuesday, Palmdale Sheriff’s deputy Raymundo Wilson testified that he responded to a call from mall security around 8 p.m.

Charles Marvin faces trial for attempted murder, burglary and assault.

Wilson said, once on the scene, he saw a man (later identified as Thompson) throwing away a knife. Wilson said he asked Thompson about the altercation, and Thompson denied being involved and was cooperative at first. But then Thompson became angry when he realized he was being detained, Wilson testified.

“He started saying my people killed his sister and started calling me a n**ger,” Wilson said.

Thompson used the slur about five to six times and said “take the handcuffs off me and I will kick your ass,” Wilson testified.

Wilson said he put Thompson in the back of the patrol car and then Thompson kicked out the back window.

Wilson said he also detained Fallon and Marvin a short time later, when witnesses and mall security identified them as the other two involved in the altercation.

Wilson, who referenced his police report during his testimony, said the victims were leaving the mall when Thompson starting hurling racial slurs at one of men and challenged the man to a fight.

“Thompson called him the n-word… he told him ‘come over here boy’ and challenged him to a fight,” Wilson said.

Wilson said, when the other victim intervened, Thompson took out a knife. Thompson and Fallon chased the men while hurling racial slurs and threats, Wilson testified.

Wilson said mall security responded before the attack got physical.

Two knives and a loaded firearm were recovered from the three suspects’ vehicle, sheriff’s officials said.

Defense attorneys for all three men argued Tuesday that their clients should not be charged with attempted murder because there was no intent to murder Edward Donato. They were unsuccessful, and Marvin, Thompson and Fallon were held to answer on all charges and enhancements.

Marvin was ordered back to custody on $1 million bail, James Fallon on $2 million bail, and Charles Thompson on $1,250,00 bail.

The men are due back in court on Aug. 14.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

63 comments for "Three face trial for attempted murder, racist rampage at AV Mall"

  1. Thank you Sheriff’s deputies for stopping armed men from doing bodily harm to more people.

  2. Okay, so simply based on the story as well as the comments in response to said story, the comments already posted on here allude to the victim Donato being “scary connected” to east coast mafia crime families and whatnot, as well as a successful artist/photographer in LA. Provided we take the report as well as the comments with skepticism and a healthy dose of salt, but just to play along, my question in regards to that is, why the hell would he be up in Lancaster/Palmdale in the first place, shacked up to a ‘single’ woman with 4 kids? To me personally, that makes absolutely no sense, unless perhaps drugs play a role in one or more of a variety of ways.

    This sounds like it’s straight out of an episode of TV crime drama – Breaking Bad, The Shield, The Sopranos, Law & Order, take your pick.

    This guy Marvin running around claiming to be “God in this town”, with his two excon white power goons acting as bodyguards?

    “Successful businessman” – is any of that built on the rampant meth trade the area is notorious for (or other controlled substances)?

    Was it really all about the girl, or are drugs or the drug trade/supply involved, i.e. the mafia moving in/getting supplied on the meth/marijuana/other trade?

    Or was this guy Donato just an innocent artist who got wrapped up and involved with the wrong lady?

    In regards to the comment about “grease balls buying land all over Palmdale/Lancaster and Mojave” – to what end/purpose? Are they planning on opening up casinos? A New Vegas?

  3. Is this what people in the “AV” do? Sit online and post comments about something they know nothing about and make yourselves look like the disfunctional people you are. Get a life people, I know it’s hard out here but you guys must have some kind of lives to lead. In the end none of this BS is going to make a difference for anyone involved. Several people will go to jail for a long time, the victim still got assaulted, several innocent loved ones will suffer, and in the end a family of selfish people who think they can buy the world will have learned nothing and will be doomed to repeat it. This is how their children grow up F**ked in the head.

  4. truth is the people responsible are in jail and expected to be there for a very long time as they should be. i would also expect the added bonus a major civil lawsuit coming to mr. charitable donations & company. :)

  5. To:oscarsunday, Zoe, Dvious1, hm, ed, imtheonewhoknows, wow, lucky, knowsmore, krissy, elijahfriedchicken, avtowncrier, letlow, daisy, jayme, anotherdummy, idunno,sikntired, frank, sickofthebs& michelleegbert. Listen up all you think you know [removed] mother[removed], first the [removed] talkers, shut the [removed] up, none of you [removed]suckers know what the [removed] you’re talking about so shut those sperm bank mouths up you [removed] curb creatures! To those of you posting nice things please don’t. Unlike all you scary ass bitches imma let you know from the getgo my name is Liz and the woman you dickheads are slamming is a very good friend of mine and a very good woman. I do know the others involved too but my concern is for my friend and her children. Please leave this [removed] alone, it does not concern you one bit. Now to Mr. Imtheonewhoknows, dude shut you know nothing it would be in your best interest to just shut the [removed] up and by the way, it’s riquenya not Riquenya. As for the person who thought i was posting on here when i wasn’t. It was your peeps who brought me here to see you tryna put somebody on blast but i ain’t trippin cuz if there is one thing i know it’s loyalty so i do not need you to remind me of what was done on my behalf. I don’t think i’ve ever done anything to yo for you to disrespect me the way you did here with no proof to back it up. I didn’t need proof cuz it was one of yours who gave you up. I do believe you owe me an apology but if you don’t thats cool then i wont be apologizing either. Once again folks my name is Liz and i advice you all to shut the [removed] up and have a nice day. If you dont have anything better to do may i suggest you try the sax, it will give your hand and mouth something else to do instead of flapping your gums and pointing an accusing finger!!!

    • L, i would never use the word anglo cuz it sounds so stupid and If you really knew me you would know that. You would also know that i would never say or do anything to hurt these people. If i had something to say i’d tell her not a bunch of nobodys in the paper then hide behind a fake ass name. If you think you’re all that put your real name up. You cant threaten to put people on blast and hide who you are well actually you can but then just like karma you would be the bitch right? I aint mad at ya!

    • ^^^Give an uneducated idiot access to a keyboard and the Internet and this is what you end up with!

  6. The victim is a smart, well known, successful Los Angeles businessperson, who has made a significant contribution to the art world. Also, to cast blame on the victim’s girlfriend is morally revolting!

    A lot of people are angry to hear about this disturbing news and will be following it closely.

  7. I know the victim personally. He’s from a very well known New York family. (Scary connected, if you know what I mean.) Grease balls buying land all over Palmdale/Lancaster and Mojave? If they mention you, it’s because they want something. They seldom lose their freedom. If the bosses say talk, they talk. The bosses say walk, they walk. Get caught up, you’re on your own. Threaten to kill a Sicilian and his kids? Rikers to Pelican Bay, it’s a problem.

    • If what you say is true and you are spreading that piece of business here, you should be worried.

  8. totally disgusting pieces of crap..really sad that we have so many low life idiots living in the AV.. no excuse for men this age to act that way..i hope they rot in jail..

    • All you out there talking about people you Don’t even know needs to keep you’re mouth closed these men are not bad men and are friends of mine so if you don’t know them or what you are talking about then be quite and get a life

  9. Here we have three men, 36, 42, and 43 years old, acting like unsophisticated teen agers. A jilted lover bringing his two homeboys to help him beat up his competition.
    Is it any wonder that our neighbors from down the hill, laugh at us?
    And still no word from the A.V.Press

  10. The victim was willing to forget the whole thing and was refusing to testify until he was made aware of the fact that wife/girlfriend was accepting daily phone calls from and even visiting # 1 every weekend. Now all of a sudden he suits up and remembers every kick, punch & stomp. This woman and her snake assed ways managed to single handedly ruin the lives of four men as well as four little girls nd everybodyconnected to these guys. All because she couldn’t decide who she wanted so she chose both and now look whats happened. I’d like to ask twiddly dumb and twiddly dumber what they got out of ruining so many lives. I bet drugs or alcohol or maybe even both are the common denominator in this equation for their involvement. As for mastermind aka # 1 its obvious a piece of ass was his motivation, now i ask if this ass is made of gold because all this for that…..DAYUM!!!!

    • She has the right to date whom ever she chooses. Idiot #1 needs to grow up, if she has moved on so should he, there are plenty more fish in the sea.
      No one and I repeat No One has the right to beat the hell out of someone because they are now dating that persons ex. The guy should remember everything these creeps did to him. That is one of the things wrong with the world today, everyone is blind and forget what happens when a crime is committed until they themselves become the victim

      • Is it “Wow i have no idea what i read but I will still add my two cents even if it is only nonsense?” No one said she didn’t have the right to date whom ever she chooses numb-nuts. Basic reading comprehension will save you from looking like an illiterate fool. What I said was that she should have chosen either or and not play with their emotions, which by many accounts is what she was doing. I said the victim was willing to forget the whole thing being that his girl and one of his perpetrators have kids together. Then he gets wind that she is not only having daily phone contact but is also visiting him. I bet that slap in the face hurt more than anything those three idiots dealt him.. If she in fact has moved on then her loyalty should be to the victim. And don’t use the kids as an excuse, if they want to see daddy, I’m sure she has people who would do her the favor. Why she would allow her kids to see daddy in jail for beating mommy’s man is far beyond my imagination. And you know she takes her youngest along which just so happens to be the victims child. This is some Jerry Springer stuff. I never implied that the victim should forget what was done to him, in fact the victim is the only one I feel bad for, besides the kids. The wife and the ex are a twisted pair who on numerous occasions have had affairs. That day in June is not when this man became a victim, he unknowingly became a victim the moment he got involved with her, just another plaything in the sick and twisted world of C & K. Now this is REAL TALK

    • K quit your BS. Just because your life is so miserable doesn’t give you the right to
      Spread rumors about someone who has supported you in the past. That is saying
      allot when you consider your size. F off I hope your treatments fall

  11. The “estranged husband” an anglo is a very well liked, respected & educated business man who not only has lent his time but has donated thousands to various charities throughout the A.V. Numbers 2 & 3 are both mixed race (anglo/hispanic), both ex-cons and both being gang members from L.A. who made an honest living working 9-5. They are both friends with # 1but the nature of their relationshio is unknown. What is known is # 2&3 had never laid eyes on the victim until that fateful day in June. Now # 1 on the other hand, it may seem more plausible might have had some contact due to his being the wifes new boyfriend. So why would 2 excon gang members from L.A go to the home of a man they had never met, kick in his door and proceed to pound the dogshit out of him. What motive would they have to commit this crime? Racial? Judging from his name he may be italian or hispanic but def not black so there goes that. Robbery? Was anything stolen from either him or the home? The fact that no charges of robbery were made, i think it’s safe to say no. So who amongst this motley crue would actually have reason to bring harm to this man, are you thinking what i’m thinking, exactly the “estranged husband” who may in fact not of been so “estranged” after all. Maybe the wife/girlfriend who FYI has four kids with the youngest one being “mommas baby daddys maybe” was giving # 1 false hopes of a reconcilation and when he realized he was being played was so enraged he began formulating a plan to “show her” he was one not to be messed with. His informing the victim that he “is god in this town” while pummeling him speaks volumes to that affect. Kinda like Denzel in Training Day ” KING KONG AIN’T GOT [removed] ON ME!!! Enter twiddly dumb and twiddly dumber who get caught up in the mix because # 1 has a little knowledge on thug life so he begins to weave a story of how victim is commiting what in gangland is a big no-no actually it’s the biggest no-no. One that only street justice can fix, that for those who are clueless is messing with the kids. How else is this man gonna get two gang members with everything to loose and nothing to gain to do this [removed].unless he offered the money, now that would be murder for hire in which case the big guns would be drawn but alas its just our good ol’ boys the LASD. I only know what i hear in the gossip mill so no of this is firsthand knowledge. This is just my take on the whole situation but i am willing to bet that my theory is not that far fetched.

    • 1. are you and idiot. so it can only be racial if he is African American.
      2. he really showed her:-), he showed her how he can get a sentenced that will cost him the rest of his life in prison (he showed her) lmao.

      • And he we go again sh*t for brains if you read the article you will see that those idiots were at the mall spraying their next would be victims with racial slurs (the N word). Now i ask , are you an idiot “Ms/Miss/ Mrs/ Mr All my attempts to write a response that pertains to the topic at hand, just makes me sound like a Hooked on Phonics flunky. His predicament is exactly what I was referencing when I wrote ” I’ll show her”. Please just STFU already. It is I who is lmao at your stupid non comprehending a**. Tsk Tsk

        • L
          Shut your trailer trash mouth or I will let the the right people know what your LITTLE husband does for his money. This fam took you in when nobody else would, how soon we forget what others have done for you and your fam when you needed . Now they need support and you spew this vile bs. Karma is a bitch. It seems you and Karma have something in common.

    • Someone who knows it all? You don’t know [removed]
      I guess Nichole was to blame for OJ killing her and Ron. Accountability all three men had a choice
      Know you have a choice, so use it……….. F%/% off you should be supporting the family not tearing them down
      Sham on you

      • Where did I write that the victim was at fault in this? Had this woman not been playing with both these me emotions,, this sh*t would never of happened. The fact that there is no “Nichole” in this tragedy is not a coincidence. The ex was trying to eliminate what was standing in the way of a promised reunion. I believe those three idiots should rot in hell for what they did to this man. I am not the one who has daily phone contact as well as weekly visits with the man who nearly killed my boyfriend. That is one serious support system the victim has huh? So you F&$k off you not knowing what the f&$k you are talking about piece of sh*t. By the way pecker snot, it’s SHAME on you not SHAM on you, dumba**

          • You are either married to the little man or you answer the phone. One thing for sure we will figure out who you are. I wonder if you can afford to keep running your white trash mouth. Btw howes your fat lowlife brother in law or is it ex?

          • If he were married to a little man he’d be gay and although at times he may act like a female he is a man who i am so thinking about lighting up on here so he can shut the f up. But he’s a douche bag bottom feeder punk aren’t you J

  12. And I know this is off topic but does anyone notice charles marvin looks like Lance from Nsync.

  13. After reading this article alls I can really say is WOW!, What happened to you AV? What happened to the peaceful good old days. This incident looks like something out of a texas walker ranger episode. Bunch of white guys in a small town running around terrozing people, trying to kill on of their ex’s boyfriends, and trying to start a rumble with random black guys in a mall parking lot then calling them N****rs?!I mean seriously. And the Jayme guy should be ignored, he’s a loser and clearly a racist. He says he doesnt like blacks so what other proof do you need. I bet he grew up getting beat up and stuffed in the trash can by ‘black kids’cuz he was too weak to stand up for himself! LOL!

  14. I’m not sure why race is an issue (other than the part that actually deals with hate-crime)

    I may be white, but those 3 knuckleheads don’t represent my view or that of anybody I know.

    It seems they are being treated like anybody being charged with a similar crime. Equality before the law.

    One thing is crystal clear, these 3 clowns are very dangerous and clearly were endanger the lives of members of our community. They need to be put away, for a very long time.

    • Good to know that the three scumbags don’t represent your point of view. I’m sure you are in the majority in your thinking. Too bad only the pitiful, desperate, hate mongers find the time to post here.

      They take pride in pointing out with glee every time the criminal happens to be black. Even in a case like this, where the perpetrators are white, they muster up a flimsy defense for their obviously racist white comrades.

      I’ve given up on responding to that ilk. Some people just can’t be helped, so why bother?

  15. So your saying the so-called “rats” should have just let these idiots get away with the stupid crap they were doing. That’s why there is so much violence because people don’t want to be called rats… I have had a family killed by ONE black guy but I’m not ignorant so I’m not gonna hate a whole race because of one idiot!!! It’s people like you who make the world the [removed] place it is!!!!

  17. THIS TOWN IS FULL OF RATS. AND THE COPS WONDER WHY ITS SO BAD OUT HERE. THERE’S TO MANY RATS THEY ARE GONNA RUN OUTTA PEOPLE TO TELL ON AND THEN WHAT? U GUYS ARE GONNA HAVE ACTUALLY DO SOME REAL WORK FOR ONCE. HA!!! Good luck* you know that they had to throw in that hate crime for that 10 year enhancement. Attempted murder? Who got shot the black guys?? U wont understand until its your husband or your sons. Your brothers. How twisted and corrupt this town is. Ewwww..

    • Rats??? So, you think they should have gotten away with what they did? And yes, it is racially motivated (a hate crime) based on the part where they used racial slurs as they chased those people at the mall while they had knives in hand. And yes, it can be attempted murder by threatening to kill, then using a weapon to attack vital areas (the head).

      If these were 3 black people being charged, I have a feeling the comments would be more “oh, go figure…” but since they’re white, the charges are excessive.

      • Yes if the defendents on trial were black there would be several comments blaming section 8 and ranting about ghetto slum. double standard.

        • Some crazy white men high on meth.Nothin new, didn ‘t want his “woman ” hangin with non whites, probably felons with white supremacist tattoos.

          • Agree. Judging from the mug shots of these three mouth breathers, I suspect they might be here illegally from Mississippi; you know, where they wear them pointy headed hoods.

          • Probably local AV trailer trash, might even have the PPW tattoo(Palmdale peckerwoods)
            Wonder if there are any of them left.Girlfriend probably figured she could piss him off by being with a non white.Knuckle draggers all around plus a full moon, the perfect storm.

      • Your smoked out. I am so not black. U misunderstood my comment yes i don’t like black people but the point i was getting across is about a grow man having an affair with someone’s wife. And calling the cops when he gets the life scared out of him and pistol whipped. i would have killed him. And i don’t think just because they used racial slurs its a hate crime they are just going hard on white suprimest cuz of all the complaints they stired up for themselves with all that section 8 b.s. last year they are trying to clean it up.

        • @Jayme
          You casually say that you don’t like black people. I’m curious, why not?

          And just so I’m on topic, if using racial slurs while chasing a stranger with a knife isn’t your definition of a hate crime, then what is?

          • If chasing people with any weapon and using racial slurs is what you would call a “hate crime”, then black people are guilty of LOTS of hate crimes against white people, hispanics and Asians!

            This happens all of the time and rarely is it ever prosecuted. Under Obama’s Justice Deptonly black people can be “victims” . nobody else!

          • If you are going to contribute to the discussion, then you need not make blanket statements, and you should try to be more specific.

            Can you name any instances you speak of that happened in the AV?

            If this situation was in reverse and a black person called a deputy a (insert racial slur) and kicked out the back of a patrol car window, what do you think would have happened?

            You seem to be defending the three gentlemen in the story, and I am not going to assume why. But I am curious, what do you think the men should have been charged with?

          • The Jayme guy is clealy a racist that has alot of pent up hatred and frustration. Where it comes from I dont know, but he is just plain hateful. Ignoring him would be the best option in this situation.

          • Black people kill and rob white people all the time why don’t they get hate crime enhancements??? Just curious??

          • Jayme I am black, but I do not mind that you have your opinion of people like me. That is your right. I would only have a problem if you acted out on those convictions with violence due only or in part because of those sentiments. I don’t know why you harbor the feelings you do, but I hope that time heals whatever wounds you suffered.

          • What do we do with the legacy of racism, which the law by itself cannot erase?

            If we do not work together as citizens, regardless of our racial and ethnic distinctives, to find these answers, then we will indeed be ignoring or consciously carrying forward America’s racist legacy to our own destruction.

            The challenge we face today is to bury the legacy of racism in an avalanche of civic cooperation that, sooner rather than later, will give us a new heritage to remember and celebrate.