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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- August 21, 2019
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Juveniles
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During a detention hearing on Aug. 20, a defense attorney played a recording of his client’s call to 9-1-1 operators, which caused people in the audience to leave the courtroom
Cornell Delvonte Holton,25, is charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children for his alleged role in the death of his 3-month-old daughter, Skylar Newman, on the 4300 block of G Street, SE on April 19.
Defense counsel played the 9-1-1 call in order to demonstrate that the death of Newman may have been accidental.
On the recording, Holton is heard crying and screaming. He was instructed to perform CPR on Newman by the 9-1-1 operator and is heard doing so. Holton is also heard inviting police into his home.
While the recording was playing, listeners in the gallery began to leave.
After playing the recording, defense counsel requested that Cornell be released to a halfway house an have restrictions on his interactions with children.
The prosecution did not have any disputes against the call. However, the prosecutor said that the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined Newman’s injuries were not consistent with someone who fell down the stairs or an accident.
Five Federal Marshall were present during the hearing. After the recording was played, there was a loud commotion outside the courtroom, causing four of the Marshalls to exit the courtroom.
DC Superior Court Judge Craig Iscoe denied the defense’s request. Cornell is being without bail.
Judge Iscoe said that Cornell missed several court dates in other jurisdictions, and there are no conditions of release that could guarantee his return to court or the community’s safety.
Cornell is scheduled for a status hearing on Oct. 11.