Murder suspect appears in court

NORWALK — A Greenwich man pleaded not guilty to a 13-count indictment for a triple homicide in Willard. Zachary T. Boster, 25, was indicted by a Huron County grand jury on these charges: • Six counts of aggravated murder, unclassified felonies • Two counts of aggravated burglary, first-degree felonies • Two counts of burglary, second-degree felonies • One count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony • Two counts of endangering children, first-degree misdemeanors Brandi Thornton, right, and her son, Juelz Bryant. Provided photo/GOFUNDME The charges stem from the Sept. 2 slayings of Brandi Chong Thornton, 31, her unborn child and Juelz Bryant, 13, in a South Myrtle Avenue residence. The victims were stabbed to death, according to Huron County prosecutor James Sitterly. Boster was arraigned on the indictment in Huron County Common Pleas Court on Monday afternoon. He pleaded not guilty to all charges. Zachary Boster sits in a Huron County Court of Common Pleas courtroom during his arraignment Monday, Sept. 12, 2022. Tandem Media Network photo/JOE CENTERS Boster and Thornton were described as "romantically involved" during the arraignment. It was also disclosed that a 5-year-old child witnessed the slayings but was not physically harmed. A time of death has not been released. Boster is incarcerated in Huron County Jail under a no-bond order. Police were called to the home just before 9 a.m. on Sept. 3 for a reported disturbance. When they arrived, family members told them two people were dead inside, according to a Willard Police press release. Boster was identified as a person of interest and was taken into custody by law enforcement in Huron County, shortly after the bodies were discovered. The indictment alleges Thornton was pregnant at the time of her murder. In Ohio, causing the "unlawful termination of another's pregnancy" is defined as murder. Boster is charged with two counts of murder for each victim. One charge for each victim alleges the killing was premeditated. The other charge for each victim alleges the murder was committed while "committing or attempting to commit" aggravated burglary. Boster's next court appearance is a pre-trial scheduled for Sept. 26.