BRONX MAN CONVICTED OF MURDER IN THE STABBING DEATH OF ELDERLY RETIRED SCHOOL TEACHER

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today the conviction of a 24 year old defendant in the stabbing death of a 71-year old retired high school teacher and an unrelated armed robbery of a 29 year old victim.

Andre Jon-Hope, of 653 Britton Street, the Bronx, pled guilty to one count of Murder in the 2nd degree in the death of Carl Dunat and one count of Robbery in the 1st degree in a mugging several hours after the murder. Both crimes occurred on September 10, 2004 in Pelham Bay Park.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice Denis Boyle set sentencing for Wednesday, April 27, 2005 in Part 20. Under terms of the plea agreement Jon-Hope will be sentenced to serve 20 years to life imprisonment.

Dunat, a retiree who had taught for many years at Evander Childs High School, was brutally beaten and stabbed in the abdomen with a screwdriver, after being robbed in a heavily wooded area in Pelham Bay Park. Several hours later, Jon-Hope beat and robbed a second victim in the park. The defendant took cash, a watch and a cellular phone from Christopher McLaughlin, 29, who managed to escape and later sought treatment at a nearby hospital. Jon-Hope was arrested two days later when detectives traced calls that he had made using the stolen cell phone. During questioning about that robbery, Jon-Hope also admitted that he had murdered Dunat.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Trial Assistant District Attorney Thomas Kapp.