Teresa Boone remembered as James Donegan charged in murder

MILWAUKEE -- A vigil was held Thursday night, September 6th for 45-year-old Teresa Boone -- the woman murdered in Milwaukee's Kilbourn Reservoir Park. This, on the same day 32-year-old James Donegan was formally charged in Boone's murder.

Boone was a mother of three, and grandmother of three. Boone's daughter spoke with FOX6 News on Thursday for the first time since her mom's death.

A small group of Boone's friends and family members gathered in Kilbourn Park Thursday night. They chose the spot Boone was killed Sunday to pray for strength and remember Boone's life.

"I'm just trying to keep strong, because she wanted me to be happy, but I ain't going to never get to see my momma no more. I ain't going to never talk to her no more," Boone's daughter, Raquel Quinn said.

Boone's cousin shared the motto the mother of three lived by: "You can do it, no matter what you're going through. You can still be educated. You can still move forward, no matter what," Kenesha Smith said.

Donegan faces one charge of first degree intentional homicide and a second count of armed robbery with use of force.

Donegan is accused of stabbing Boone to death Sunday night, September 2nd during an attempted robbery. He's the son of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Thomas Donegan. 

According to the complaint, Donegan thought Boone and others were after him and assumed her purse contained a gun. He allegedly admitted to killing her, using a box cutter to stab her in the neck and taking her purse. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office confirms that Boone had a few lacerations to the neck, but the cause of death was strangulation.

A witness told police he heard Boone's screams in the distance, and witnessed a man that looks like Donegan making downward thrusts. Another witness says Donegan came to the bench he was sitting on, and said, "Man they are after me. The police trying to catch me."

Judge Donegan says his son has significant mental health problems and wasn't taking his medication. In a statement to FOX6 News, Donegan said: "I do stand by what has been reported up to this time.  I really don't want to go into any further detail about James' illness, the possible criminal charges, or all the suffering Ms. Boone's family and friends are going through."

To avoid any conflict of interest the suspect may see his case prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office, versus the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office – a move the victim’s family supports.

If convicted on the charges, Donegan faces up to life in prison. He's expected to make his initial court appearance Friday, September 6th -- the same day Boone will be buried.

Monitor FOX6 News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.

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