Post by SoulTrainOz on Jun 21, 2006 22:02:28 GMT -5
Lisa Ann Coleman, who was convicted Monday of capital murder in the starving death of 9-year-old Davontae Williams, was sexually abused as a toddler by her foster parents. Then she was introduced to alcohol and drugs as a teenager by a relative, a defense witness testified Tuesday in the punishment phase of her trial.
Coleman, 30, could receive the death penalty in connection with the July 2004 death of the Arlington boy unless the jury decides there are extenuating factors that would make a life sentence more appropriate .
Coleman's defense attorneys spent Tuesday contending that their client's childhood is the mitigating factor that the jury should weigh when deciding her fate.
Defense attorneys called child-abuse expert Carole Bowdry to testify about Coleman's background, which includes abuse allegations against relatives. Coleman was conceived when her mother, Patricia Coleman, was raped by her step-grandfather, Bowdry said.
"Incest taboos are almost universal," Bowdry said.
In addition, Lisa Ann Coleman was whipped with extension cords by an uncle, Bowdy said.
Prosecutors said Davontae's body was covered with scars and welts left by beatings with extension cords.
Bowdry said that many children pick up parenting skills based on the way they were raised.
A former medical examiner has testified that Davontae died from
malnutrition, with pneumonia as a contributing factor.
He was found dead in the east Arlington apartment he shared with Coleman and his mother, Marcella Williams, 25. He weighed 35.8 pounds at the time, according to Arlington police reports. Coleman and Davontae's mother were immediately arrested in connection with the boy's death.
Marcella Williams is expected to face a capital murder charge later.
The defense is expected to present more witnesses today.
(source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
Coleman, 30, could receive the death penalty in connection with the July 2004 death of the Arlington boy unless the jury decides there are extenuating factors that would make a life sentence more appropriate .
Coleman's defense attorneys spent Tuesday contending that their client's childhood is the mitigating factor that the jury should weigh when deciding her fate.
Defense attorneys called child-abuse expert Carole Bowdry to testify about Coleman's background, which includes abuse allegations against relatives. Coleman was conceived when her mother, Patricia Coleman, was raped by her step-grandfather, Bowdry said.
"Incest taboos are almost universal," Bowdry said.
In addition, Lisa Ann Coleman was whipped with extension cords by an uncle, Bowdy said.
Prosecutors said Davontae's body was covered with scars and welts left by beatings with extension cords.
Bowdry said that many children pick up parenting skills based on the way they were raised.
A former medical examiner has testified that Davontae died from
malnutrition, with pneumonia as a contributing factor.
He was found dead in the east Arlington apartment he shared with Coleman and his mother, Marcella Williams, 25. He weighed 35.8 pounds at the time, according to Arlington police reports. Coleman and Davontae's mother were immediately arrested in connection with the boy's death.
Marcella Williams is expected to face a capital murder charge later.
The defense is expected to present more witnesses today.
(source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram)