Ruby-Rayne Delana Young, one-year-old
DA seeks death penalty in infant death
The death penalty.
District Attorney Ernie Lee seeks conclusive justice for the man accused of slitting his baby’s throat with a steak knife at a Richlands home early morning May 3.
Although the defendant, Anthony Wayne Young, 37, allegedly called 911 and said he had “killed his daughter” after the butchering, according to previous Daily News reports, he pleaded “not guilty” in Onslow County Superior Court on Tuesday afternoon.
Young’s wide eyes scanned the courtroom gallery as he walked with a slight hunch and wore long, thin sideburns and a mustache.
An Onslow County grand jury indicted Young on one count of first-degree murder June 16 in connection with the death of Ruby-Rayne Delana Young — his 13-month-old girl for whom he had legal custody when authorities found her bleeding to death on May 3.
Lee said there are aggravating circumstances to justify a capital case: “especially elements of heinous, atrocious or cruel.”
He said the child’s age and the nature of the alleged acts meet the legal standards required.
Defense attorney Scott Jack of Jacksonville told the court he was not certain his client had the competence to understand the hearing’s implications.
“I’m not a psychiatrist or a psychologist,” Jack said as his client swayed and stood at the defense table with his worn hands by his sides.
Jack explained that his client has not been housed at Onslow County Jail but had to be transported from centers elsewhere in the state.
Young’s case was among numerous others — accusing defendants of major crimes — with proceedings rendered on Tuesday.
No autopsy report filed
The clanging of metal filled the courtroom Tuesday as detention officers removed restraints from a man accused of shooting his wife multiple times in the chest at the family’s home in the presence of children.
Christopher Michael Skaggs, 33, is accused of shooting his wife, Jordan Skaggs, about 9:45 p.m. July 13, 2014, at the family’s home on Cherry Blossom Lane. Skaggs is charged with first-degree murder in connection to her death.
A slender, tall Skaggs — noticeably thinner than his stature in mugshots — walked into the courtroom Tuesday and sat before slightly swiveling in his chair at the defense table beside attorney Dick McNeil of Jacksonville.
“All the discovery in my possession I’m hesitant to provide,” Lee told the court, adding that he lacks an autopsy report — a document typically received early in cases.
Judge Charles Henry continued the next hearing — to determine whether the case merits the death penalty — to July 28 amid the delays for disclosure of evidence in the case.
http://www.jdnews.com/article/201507...52386410104366
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