WILMINGTON — Deputy Attorneys General in the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division secure a number of important convictions each week. Starting today, the Department of Justice will be send out recaps of key cases.  Here are the conviction highlights from New Castle County Superior Court from the week ending Friday, October 31:

• Deputy Attorneys General Brian Robertson and Sonia Augusthy secured a first-degree murder conviction against Darcell Coleman in the May 2013 fatal shooting of Marvin Moore on Claymont Road in Wilmington. Coleman, of New Castle, faces a minimum of life in prison when he is sentenced in February. Prosecutors also secured a conviction of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony against Coleman.

• Deputy Attorney General Daniel McBride secured guilty convictions at trial against Cleveland Baldwin,  26 years old of Wilmington, on charges of first-degree assault, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, conspiracy second degree and carrying a concealed deadly weapon. The charges stem from an incident in August of 2013 in which Baldwin beat a 56-year-old man with a pipe while two unidentified co-conspirators punched and kicked the victim.

• In a case that will carry a significant prison term, Deputy Attorneys General Julie Finocchiaro and Zach Rosen secured a guilty plea from Steven Cardwell, 29 of Wilmington on first-degree robbery, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, and wearing a disguise during the commission of a felony charges. Cardwell faces a 27-year minimum prison term when he is sentenced.  On December 8, 2013 at approximately 1 a.m., Cardwell entered the 7-11 on Kirkwood Highway brandishing a knife and demanded money from the store clerk.  Cardwell then jumped the counter and stole United States Currency and stamps.  Four days later, on December 12, 2013 around 6 p.m., less than half a mile from the 7-11, Cardwell entered the 3 Stars Pizza on Kirkwood Highway again brandishing a knife and demanding money from the cashier.  Cardwell jumped the counter and stole United States Currency before fleeing on foot.  This robbery conviction marks the fifth separate felony conviction for Cardwell with his prior felonies including Robbery First Degree, Robbery Second Degree, Aggravated Menacing and Felony Resisting Arrest.  Cardwell is eligible to be sentenced as a habitual offender under 11 Del. C. section 4214(a).

• In another case that will bring a lengthy prison sentence, Deputy Attorneys General Kate Keller and Jamie McCloskey secured a conviction against Andrew Tucker55 of Elkton, Md., on two counts of second-degree burglary, two counts of theft and two counts of unlawful use of a credit card. Tucker faces a minimum mandatory prison term of 16 years when he is sentenced.  On August 24^h and August 31^t, 2013, Tucker unlawfully entered into two separate female University of Delaware college students’ unlocked, off-campus residences.  In each of the cases, Tucker stole the female resident’s wallet and used each credit card at the Exxon gas station in Newark.  During the incident on August 31, 2013, Tucker encountered the female resident in the home while she was alone. Sgt. Fred Nelson of the Newark Police Department led the investigation.

• Deputy Attorneys General Eric Zubrow and Jenna Milecki secured a conviction against James Simmers (55 years old of Newark, Delaware), on two counts of fourth-degree rape and one count of indecent exposure second degree for the sexual abuse of a 27 year-old mentally handicapped woman in the woods behind the victim’s neighborhood.

• Deputy Attorney General Michael DegliObizzi secured a conviction against Christopher Monahan, 32 of Newark, for driving under the influence of alcohol or with a prohibited alcohol content.  Monahan was convicted of his third DUI after falling asleep in the Rite Aid Parking lot off of New London Road in Newark on May 4, 2014.  His Blood Alcohol Concentration was registered at .212%.

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