Judge Sets Trial Date for a Infant Murder Case

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A DC Superior Court judge scheduled a 2019 murder case involving an infant to go to trial late next year.

Cornell Holton, 27, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree cruelty to children in the death of three-month-old Skylar Newman, who was killed by blunt force trauma on the 4300 block of G Street, SE on March 16, 2019.

The defense was eager to set a trial date, as the previous date was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judge Juliet McKenna set aside Aug. 3 through Oct. 7, 2022, for the trial, the earliest possible date for the lengthy trial.

Jury selection is scheduled to take place on Aug.1 and 2.

Judge McKenna says she anticipates that it will be difficult to get a jury for the case.

She also heard arguments from parties regarding a bond review motion but has not made a ruling yet.