Kiannah Tanae Bonaparte, 49, sought release on her own recognizance during a bail review hearing July 31st. Before Baltimore City Circuit Court, Judge Kendra Ausby, after filing a pro se motion to act as her own defense counsel. defense counsel.
Bonaparte is charged in connection with the October 2025 assault of 71-year-old Gregory Turnipseed, who later died from injuries prosecutors allege he sustained during the attack.
According to charging documents, Bonaparte and her 15-year-old daughter allegedly assaulted Turnipseed after he approached their vehicle while another driver waited for a parking space on the 500 block of St. Paul Street. Investigators allege Turnipseed suffered a brain bleed, underwent multiple surgeries, and later died from his injuries. He identified Bonaparte in a photo array before his death.
Defense attorney Janet Anderson, standing in for attorney Robert Cohen, informed the court Bonaparte had originally filed the motion herself but had accepted representation and the defense was adopting the motion as its own.
Anderson argued portions of the prosecution’s evidende were missing despite previous requests from the defense.
The defense also argued Bonaparte’s prior failures to appear occurred approximately 20 years ago, with others occurring about six years ago, emphasizing that her criminal history was dated. Anderson further noted Bonaparte completed probation in April and asked the court to release her on her own recognizance.
The state opposed the request, arguing Bonaparte remains a flight risk.
The state told the court Bonaparte has six prior criminal convictions, multiple failures to appear and a pending Baltimore County theft case. The state also argued the defense requested discovery July 14 and that it had been provided to defense counsel.
The state argued Bonaparte was on probation when the alleged assault occurred, resulting in a pending violation of probation in addition to the current case, for which she is already being held without bail.
The state emphasized the seriousness of the allegations, stating Turnipseed survived for approximately a month and a half after the assault before succumbing to his injuries.
“Your Honor, her co-defendant is her 15-year-old daughter,’ said the prosecutor. Her potential legal jeopardy was not discussed in open court.
The state argued the confrontation could have been avoided, stating Bonaparte could have ignored the victim or told him to “kick rocks,” but instead chose violence and involved her daughter in the assault of a 71-year-old man.
A pretrial investigator also recommended Bonaparte remain held without bail, citing the seriousness of the charges, her prior failures to appear and a prior conviction for fleeing and eluding police.
Judge Ausby agreed, noting the court had also reviewed recorded jail telephone calls in which Bonaparte allegedly stated, “The victim brought it on himself for not minding his business.”
Finding Bonaparte remains a flight risk and that no conditions of release would reasonably ensure public safety or her appearance in court, Ausby denied the motion for bail review.
Bonaparte will remain held without bail pending trial.
