By Chris Engelhardt
A cellphone voicemail of an Astoria man and the ex-girlfriend he is accused of murdering will be used as evidence in his upcoming trial.
Jason Bohn, 34, of 33rd Street and 28th Avenue in Astoria, is accused of strangling and beating his girlfriend, Weight Watchers executive Danielle Thomas, 27, to death in their apartment last June, the Queens district attorney said. She was found June 26.
Bohn was arraigned last July on a grand jury’s superseding indictment that charged him with first- and second-degree murder, strangulation, aggravated criminal contempt, tampering with physical evidence, criminal contempt, assault and aggravated harassment, the DA said. He pleaded not guilty to the criminal charges in Queens Criminal Court.
In a cellphone voicemail, Thomas, whose body was found in the bathtub of the couple’s shared apartment, begged for her life and pleaded with Bohn to stop choking her, according to a transcript obtained by the New York Post.
The newspaper reported Thomas’ cellphone dialed a friend’s phone around 3:20 a.m. during the struggle and recorded Bohn’s “repeated manual strangulations” that contributed to her death. It is uncertain if she accidentally or intentionally called her friend, the Post said.
The voicemail will be used as evidence in Bohn’s upcoming trial, the Post said.
According to the transcript, Bohn repeatedly grabbed Thomas’ throat and asked why she called a particular number various times.
“Why did you call 508?” he asked. “Danielle, why is a 508 number calling you? Danielle, you don’t have a lot of time.”
Thomas continues to say, “I don’t know” and “Jason, I love you” to Bohn as she struggles to breathe, the transcript stated.
“I can’t breathe. Help me, Jason,” she said.
“You have five seconds and then … and then I’m going to kill you,” he told her.
The transcript notes that Thomas made choking sounds during the call, until it comes to an end.
The DA said Thomas had previously gone to the 114th Precinct with injuries to her face and leg, claiming that Bohn had abused her, and Bohn allegedly called her cellphone at the precinct and threatened her.
Judge Barry Kron ordered Bohn on suicide watch after his original arraignment on the second-degree murder and other charges last June, the DA said.
The case is currently being overseen by Judge Michael Aloise. Attorney Patrick O’Connor is prosecuting the case. Bohn is represented by attorney Todd Greenberg.
Bohn is currently being held at Anna M. Kross Correctional Facility, according to city Department of Correction records.
His next court date is July 29.
Reach reporter Chris Engelhardt by e-mail at cengelhardt@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
