The man accused of brutally murdering a well respected Greenbelt teacher has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. FOX 5's Stephanie Ramirez was in the courtroom for the sentencing.

Greenbelt

Harold Landon III received a life sentence without the possibility of parole after being convicted of the murder and dismemberment of Mariam Torey Silla, a respected teacher from Greenbelt. The sentencing followed an emotional court hearing, where it was noted that some of Silla's remains have not been recovered.

Evidence in the case included DNA and Silla's clothing found in Landon's truck, which was identified after a local business owner reported suspicious activity. Landon was already in custody for a separate domestic case when he was named a suspect. The judge also indicated a possible transfer for Landon to a facility with mental health treatment, and Landon retains the right to appeal.

Man sentenced to life for killing, dismembering Maryland teacher

Our top story at six, a man alerts his fate for a high-profile local murder. Harold Landon III will spend the rest of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole, convicted of killing a well-respected Greenbelt teacher. Fox 5's Stephanie Ramirez was inside the courtroom for the hearing. Guys, and it was an emotional sentencing today, especially at different moments, like in court, when it was noted that some of the remains of this beloved teacher who had been murdered and dismembered still, to this day, have not been found. Today marks the conclusion of a tragic chapter for our community, and most importantly, for the family of Mariam Silla. 59-year-old Mariam Torey Silla would often go for walks. She was also a practicing Muslim and would always return for evening prayers. But on one particular night in late July of 2023, her son told police that didn't happen. A beloved and long-term teacher at Dora Kennedy French Immersion School, family, friends, and students helped search for weeks. In court Friday, Harold Landon III declined to give a statement. His sister offered the family's complete condolences and spoke of how her brother was her best friend, always there for her. The judge sided with the county's top homicide prosecutor, who called Landon manipulative. The sentencing hearing, including an audio clip, played during trial, where Landon is heard in a recorded jail call, saying he let the savage out, and in another call, he's heard instructing a loved one not to tell police where his truck is located. Landon was already behind bars for a domestic case involving his child's mother, when police named him a suspect in Silla's murder. He was convicted of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt back in June. You cannot kill someone, dismember their body, basically separate their body parts, because, again, we haven't found her head, portion of her neck, her arms, and the bottom half of her legs. We don't have those parts. Investigators would later discover DNA evidence and Silla's clothing in the truck bed. The truck, actually flagged by a Maryland business owner who had been working late and saw something suspicious. Investigators say that ended up being the act of Landon discarding Silla's remains. If it had not been for the actions of a citizen who was just at work at 9.30 in the evening on July 31st of 2023, and getting a picture because he saw something he thought was unusual, we would not be here today. Landon and his team can, of course, appeal. They can also ask for new sentencing within a certain period. We also know the judge is looking to still keep him behind bars, but see if he could be transferred to another facility that also focuses on mental health treatment. Send it back to you.

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