Donald Fell, a 38-year-old man from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of release for his role in a 2000 murder, carjacking, and kidnapping case in Vermont.
On November 27, 2000, Fell and his co-defendant, Robert Lee, carjacked and kidnapped 53-year-old Teresca King in Rutland, Vermont. They then drove her to New York State, where they killed her. The two men also murdered Rutland man Charles Conway and Fell’s mother, Debra Fell, in an apartment on Robbins Street in Rutland.
Fell pleaded guilty to all four charges pending against him, including carjacking with death resulting, kidnapping with death resulting, brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, and transportation of a firearm by a fugitive from justice.
Chief U.S. District Court Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford accepted Fell’s guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Rutland, Vermont. Immediately after the guilty plea, Judge Crawford sentenced Fell to serve life in prison without the possibility of release. Fell also agreed to waive direct appeal.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI, the Rutland Police Department, and the Vermont State Police. The United States extends its sympathy and gratitude to Mrs. King’s family, who closely followed the case since 2000.
Fell’s sentence brings closure to the case, which has been ongoing for over two decades. The families of the victims can finally begin to heal and move forward.
Mandatory Facts:
1. Defendant: Donald R. Fell
2. Exact Criminal Charges: Murder, Carjacking with Death Resulting, Kidnapping with Death Resulting, Brandishing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, Transportation of a Firearm by a Fugitive from Justice
3. City and State: Rutland, Vermont
4. Exact Date: November 27, 2000
5. Sentence or Outcome: Life in prison without the possibility of release
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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