Judge Continues Murder Defendant’s Hearing

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 25, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

A DC Superior Court judge continues a detention hearing because defense counsel did not finish questioning a witness about his investigation.

Cornell Holton is charged with felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children for his alleged involvement in the death of his three-month-old daughter Skylar Newman. The events leading to her death occurred in the family home on the 4300 block of G Street, SE earlier this year. 

Defense counsel, John Fowler, said a homicide detective’s testimony would help his argument for Holton’s release. After a closed bench conference, Judge Craig Iscoe said the proof showed a “good faith basis to question the witness.”

Judge Iscoe allocated some time in his court schedule to hear the detective’s testimony. 

Fowler asked questions about previous injuries the infant sustained and the infant’s medical history. He also asked the witness about the set-up of the house and the hard-wood flooring in various rooms. 

However, Fowler, who was trying to poke holes in the detective’s affidavit of the crime, could not finish questioning the witness in the time allocated by the judge. 

“I have been more than indulgent,” Judge Iscoe said. “Most judges wouldn’t put up with this.” 

According to court documents, the infant was brought to Children’s National Medical Center on March 16 where a doctor concluded that she was suffering from blunt force trauma injuries. She was pronounced brain dead on March 19.

Holton’s detention hearing is scheduled to continue on Aug. 20. He is being held without bail.