JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – As 27-year-old Prince Sanders faced a judge on murder charge in Tuesday morning's slaying of his 23-year-old girlfriend, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced it is investigating the conduct of two officers who responded to a domestic violence call at the woman's apartment the night before her death.
Undersheriff Dwain Senterfitt said Officers Joseph Reavis and Nedzad Selman did not file an incident report after meeting with the victim, 23-year-old Telia Toaltoan, who police said suffered injuries after an argument Monday night with Sanders.
Police believe Sanders returned to the Ralph Street home and shot Toaltoan about 6:45 a.m. the next day while their two children were upstairs.
Toaltoan died Tuesday morning at a hospital. Sanders (pictured, right) was arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
Senterfitt said it's state law to file a report after every domestic violence call, and he's concerned why the officers chose not to.
"We're going to be investigating whether or not they did everything they should've done," Senterfitt said of the officers first called to the home. "I have to say, I don't know that it would have made any difference in this case. Like I said, the suspect was not there. And then in a matter of some hours, it sounds like, he came back and committed this murder. I'm not sure that all the efforts that possibly could've been done had been done it would've changed the outcome. But we need to look into that."
The officers have not been placed on administrative leave. The statute regarding domestic violence and law enforcement reads:
"Whether or not an arrest is made, the officer shall make a written police report that is complete and clearly indicates the alleged offense was an incident of domestic violence. Such report shall be given to the officer's supervisor and filed with the law enforcement agency in a manner that will permit data on domestic violence cases to be compiled."
Senterfitt said Toaltoan and Sanders had a history of violence. The Sheriff's Office reached out to Toaltoan in July, but she turned down assistance, Senterfitt said.
Richard Bisking, who lives with Toaltoan's aunt in Pennsylvania, confirmed the couple had a lot of problems.
"We've been trying to get him away from her for a long time," Bisking said in a phone interview. "I'm a Christian. I do have to forgive the man for doing it, but I'm not going to forget."
Sanders was taken into custody Tuesday night when he showed up at Shands Jacksonville Medical Center. He was questioned by detectives, then booked into jail just before 11 p.m. on charges of murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. He made his first appearance in court Wednesday morning.
Sanders has a lengthy criminal history, with seven arrests over eight years on charges including drug possession, arson, burglary, criminal mischief and domestic intimidation.