To:
Honorable Dennis Craig
Division 41
251 N Ridgewood Ave, Rm 284
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Office: 386-239-7792
Fax: 386-239-7795

email: tholder@circuit7.org

Sarah Thomas
7th Circuit State Attorneys Office
251 N Ridgewood Ave
Daytona Beach, FL 32114-3275
Office: 386-239-7710
Fax: 386-257-1834
email: thomass@sao7.org

Sara E. Altes
Assistant Public Defender
251 N Ridgewood Ave
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
386-239-7730
email: altes.sara@pd7.org

Re: Case No.: 2020 301456 CFDB

State of Florida v. Donald Jody Tomlinson



Yesterday Donald Tomlinson was granted a reduced bond citing a death in his family.
.

I have read the letter he sent to the court. He demanded (not requested) a hearing date due to the financial and emotional burden to his family. He even had the bad taste to sign it Amen. Has he asked for forgiveness for Margaret Patricia Ball’s death? Has he shown even the slightest remorse? Did he even mention his victim or acknowledge the pain he caused another family?

The answer to all these questions is no. Donald Tomlinson only refers to himself and his family. Shame on him for using his brother’s death to get out of jail. It should be noted that his brother, Nathaniel Tomlinson was also a career criminal who was just released on April 17, 2020. His family has started a GoFundMe in the amount of $5,000 citing Nathaniel’s cause of death as Covid 19.

As a daughter of Margaret Patricia Ball, the woman Donald Tomlinson killed with disregard on March 17, 2020 on the corner of Hand Ave and Center St in Ormond Beach Fl, my family and I take exception to the bond reduction.
Our mother had just dropped my nephew off and was returning to her home a short distance from the scene of the accident. She had taken this route many times.

Pat grew up just a few miles away from where she died. Her father built the house she grew up in with his own two hands. She had 12 brothers and sisters. She was a valued employee at several area businesses. Many people knew and loved her for the kind, giving, and beautiful soul that she was. She was active in her church and took every opportunity to help anyone she could.

I do not state lightly that our mother helped everyone she could. Margaret Patricia Ball has taken drug addicts into her home, encouraged them to find God and change their lives around. Pat had her purse stolen, her car stolen, her home broken into, let deadbeats occupy her home, gave rides to half of Volusia County and shared her heart with all.

Donald has been in and out of jail since 2009 for everything including possession, burglary, multiple driving without a license, fleeing and eluding, child abuse and neglect and now vehicular homicide.

His history suggests he is a flight risk. He has charges of Fleeing or Attempt to Elude High Speed in 2016.

Donald Tomlinson was released from a four-year prison sentence December 11, 2019. His charges included Fleeing, Aggravated Child Abuse, and reckless driving.

His last offense was 2/29/2020 for possession of heroin and paraphernalia. He was given a $3,500 bond and did one day in jail. Seventeen days later he killed our mother.

This strongly suggests that Donald Tomlinson has no regard for the law. Donald Tomlinson knowingly drove a car without a license, did double the speed limit in a residential area and did everything in his ability to deny his involvement.
The police report states that Donald Tomlinson, his fiancé Rhonda Blake and Sterling McCormick were the occupants of the car. Donald Tomlinson and Rhonda Blake claimed a fourth person named “John” was the driver of the car and had fled.

Nearby residents captured the accident on their Ring Doorbell. They communicated to the police that Donald Tomlinson was the driver. They witnessed him exiting the driver’s side and helping Rhonda Blake from the car. He instructed Sterling McCormick to take off. Sterling McCormick was later picked up walking down a side street.

Donald Tomlinson put on a black hoodie over his red shirt to attempt to hide his identity. He also approached the homeowner that captured the video footage to try to convince them delete the evidence.

To the best of my knowledge neither Donald Tomlinson, Rhonda Blake nor Sterling McCormick ever approached our mother’s vehicle to check on her injuries. We also have not heard one word of remorse or any concern for the life they took or the pain for those of us who mourn our mother, sister, aunt, cousin, grandmother and friend.

Donald Tomlinson, Rhonda Blake and Sterling McCormick were only concerned with themselves. They lied continuously to the investigating officers, John Borzner and Kevin Myers at the scene of the accident.

Donald Tomlinson, Rhonda Blake and Sterling McCormick thought only to escape the charges at the scene of the accident.

My family requests that the State’s Attorney, Sarah Thomas file a motion to revoke the reduction in bond. And, that all bond is revoked on the premise that Donald Tomlinson presents a flight risk.

Due to the pandemic we have not been able to come together as a family to grieve and heal. I live in Alaska. At the time of her death our country was beginning to go into lockdown. I could not risk being unable to return home as I am a business owner. Also, the maximum amount allowed for a gathering at that time was ten people. There are many, many more people who wish to pay their respects to the wonderful woman that was our mother.

We truly thank you for taking the time to read our story. I wish you could have all known Margaret Patricia Ball aka Pat. You truly would have loved her. Pat had a kind word for everyone. Pat overlooked shortcomings and prayed for healing to be granted to all she knew in pain. If there is a Heaven our mother is there and has already forgiven Donald Tomlinson.

Sincerely Yours,
Shari Seaman DiLorenzo
Jeannine Loftus
Lynn Kearns
James McCraney

 

Shari Seaman DiLorenzo
PO Box 2563
Seward, Alaska 99664
9074-884-6237
shari@muddhutt.me