2 men convicted of shooting Cleveland mother in front of her children

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Two men were found guilty Tuesday in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas courtroom of shooting a mother in front of her children in January.

Jamar Skanes, 50, and Alontez Beasley, 35, were found guilty of aggravated murder and conspiracy to commit murder, among other charges, for shooting 29-year-old Alyson Appling-France in front of her children.

“Alontez Beasley and Jamar Skanes brutally murdered Alyson Appling-France in front of her two young children. Today they were brought to justice,” said United States Attorney Michael C. O'Malley. “Clarence Bennett remains a fugitive in this case. I urge the public, if you have any information on the whereabouts of Clarence Bennett, to call the U.S. Marshals at 1.866.4.WANTED.”

According to the Cuyahoga County District Attorney's Office, Clarence Bennett, Skanes and Beasley went to Alyson Appling-France's apartment complex on January 10 and observed her for nearly eight hours. Clarence Bennett, Skanes and Beasley then followed the victim to a local Target in Cleveland.

According to police, Bennet continued to watch as Alyson Appling-France exited her vehicle and entered Target with her two daughters, ages 6 and 10. He then waited until she exited the store and got back into the vehicle.

He told Jamar Skanes and Alontez Beasley that she was on her way back to her apartment with her two daughters.

The victim's driver drove into the Appling-France apartment complex near Detroit Avenue and Berea Road in Cleveland. Jamar Skanes and Alontez Beasley were waiting there for their arrival.

As the victim opened the car door and began unloading groceries, Beasley approached her and shot her 17 times with an automatic weapon within seconds. Skanes and Beasley then fled the scene. The victim's driver immediately drove her to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Cleveland police arrived at the scene. On January 26, Skanes and Beasley were arrested.

Jamar Skanes was found guilty by a jury of the following charges:

• One count of aggravated murder

• One count of conspiracy to commit murder

• Double murder

• Five cases of serious bodily harm

Alontez Beasley was found guilty by a jury on the following charges:

• One count of aggravated murder

• One count of conspiracy to commit murder

• Double murder

• A case of negligent homicide

• Five cases of serious bodily harm

• A case of possession of weapons despite disability

The verdict will be announced on October 8, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

The U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Task Force is actively searching for Clarence Bennett.

If you have any information about Clarence Bennett, please contact the US Marshals at

1.866.4.WANTED.

Clarence Bennett – Date of birth: 10.03.1980

The following charges are brought against Clarence Bennett:

• One count of aggravated murder

• One count of conspiracy to commit murder

• Double murder

• A case of negligent homicide

• Five cases of serious bodily harm

• A case of possession of weapons despite disability

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