Judge Finds Probable Cause Father Responsible for Infant’s Death

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 8, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During a presentment May 6, a DC Magistrate judge found probable cause that a man was responsible for his 3-month-old daughter’s death.

Cornell Delvonte Holton 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. Holton, 25, was ordered held without bail.

Judge Errol Arthur said he made his decision based on court documents detailing the infant’s death as well as statements from several witnesses. Apparently, Newman was in the “exclusive” care of Holton when she became unconscious.

During the hearing, Holton’s attorney, John Fowler, unsuccessfully argued against the probable cause finding, saying maltreatment of a child is not a basis for murder. Fowler said it’s not child abuse to drop your child because another child runs into you. He also said it’s not child abuse for another person to drop your child.

Fowler said Newman’s death was “sad and unfortunate” but that it was not murder.

However, according to the prosecution, Holton “tortured, beat or willfully mistreated” his daughter.  Apparently, the infant’s injuries included multiple skull fractures, a brain bleed, and multiple rib fractures that were in different stages of healing.

The prosecutor said Holton told police three different stories including, the infant choked on a bottle, the infant was dropped down the stairs and a six-year-old child dropped the infant. The prosecutor noted that Holton fled the scene and called from a blocked number to inform the mother about the child, which the prosecutor said shows a “consciousness of guilt.”

With regard to Holton’s release status, the defense requested he be released to a half-way house or under the high intensity supervision program (HISP). However, Judge Arthur denied the request, noting the weight of the prosecution’s evidence, the defendant’s criminal history and the fact that Hoslton tested positive for synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs when he was arrested.

According to DC Courts, Holston has three convictions, including a bail reform act violation, second-degree theft and a misdemeanor for simple assault.

Holton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 21.