Ke'Andre Coleman
Mikkia Shardae Lewis and Joe McCaskell
Suspect in 2013 killing of S. Daytona 4-year-old faces death penalty in trial next week
By Frank Fernandez
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH — A South Daytona man could face the death penalty if he is convicted at trial starting Monday of having a role in the killing of his then-girlfriend’s 4-year-old son.
Both Joe McCaskell, 37, and Mikkia Shardae Lewis, 27, are charged with first-degree felony murder and aggravated child abuse. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against both of them.
McCaskell and his former girlfriend are accused in the death of Lewis’ son, Ke’Andre Coleman. Investigators said the child suffered “torturous” abuse for two weeks before his death five years ago at the hands of his mother and her boyfriend.
McCaskell sat in an orange jail jumpsuit and handcuffs during a hearing Wednesday at the S. James Foxman Justice Center. The attorneys discussed legal issues, including whether to interview potential jurors individually or collectively regarding their views on the death penalty.
Circuit Judge Matt Foxman ruled against the defense and said potential jurors would be interviewed collectively.
During the hearing, McCaskell would occasionally lean over to speak to one of his attorneys.
It was McCaskell who at 1:07 a.m. on April 15, 2013, called 9-1-1 to report that his girlfriend’s child was not breathing, according to a charging affidavit. The first officer to arrive to the small apartment found the child naked on the bed and his mother putting some shorts on him.
Paramedics arrived and after being unable to revive the child pronounced him dead.
Lewis told detectives when they interviewed her: 'I guess I whooped him too much' and admitted telling her son two days before he died that she 'gives up' and 'I don't want you any more'.
The medical examiner took a full day to record all of his injuries, which included shoe impressions all over his body, a red and swollen bottom with open sores, a mutilated nipple, scabs on his stomach, hemorrhaging in his thighs and shoulders that appeared dislocated.
The couple have been charged with aggravated child abuse but additional charges are expected pending the final result of the cause of death.
South Daytona Police Chief Ron Wright said: 'This four-year-old child suffered tremendously, tremendously. Makes me want to throw up.'
The couple told detectives they forced the boy to hold positions for 30 to 45 minutes, including standing in the corner with his arms raised above his head, keeping his back against the wall and squatting with his knees bent and arms outstretched, and holding himself in a raised push-up position.
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