Overview
- A Sumter County jury found Trinity Poague, 20, guilty of felony murder, aggravated battery and child cruelty and not guilty of malice murder.
- Judge W. James Sizemore Jr. sentenced her to life in prison with an additional 20 years to be served concurrently.
- Doctors testified the 18-month-old, Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angeles, had acute brain hemorrhages, a skull fracture and a liver laceration consistent with a direct blow.
- Evidence showed the child appeared fine on video before his father left to pick up pizza, after which Poague texted that the toddler was not breathing and he was rushed to the ER.
- The state argued she resented the child, citing messages expressing hostility toward him and alleged searches about brain bleeds and unnoticed skull fractures.