2 men plead not guilty to shooting Cleveland mom 17x in front of her children

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - Two men accused of murdering a Cleveland mom in front of her two young children on the city’s West side were arraigned in Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Thursday.

Alyson Appling-France, 29, was shot 17 times while unloading groceries in the parking lot of her apartment complex near Detroit Avenue and Berea Road on Jan. 10, said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley.

Her daughters, ages six and 10, were inside the car. They were not injured.

According to O’Malley, the driver of the car drove Appling-France to a nearby hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

After the shooting, Jamar Skanes and Alontez Beasley fled the scene, said O’Malley. They were arrested by Cleveland police on Jan. 26.

Skanes, 49, pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, murder, and felonious assault, The judge ordered him held on a $1 million bond.

Skanes is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 12.

Beasley, 34, pleaded not guilty to murder, aggravated murder, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and involuntary manslaughter.

He is also being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 12.

O’Malley said a third person was involved in the crime and the U.S. Marshals Service’s Violent Fugitive Task Force is searching for that individual.

“Throughout my career as County Prosecutor, I have seen dozens of horrific cases,” said O’Malley. “This case will stay with me for many years to come. It is unfathomable to think anyone could ambush and execute a mother in front of her two young children. My thoughts and prayers remain with her two daughters and their family during this difficult time.”

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