A Montgomery County jury is expected to start deliberations Thursday in connection with a Pennsylvania guy on trial for sexually assaulting and killing his infant daughter right through a custody discuss with.
The Mercury reviews that homicide suspect Austin Stevens declined to take the stand throughout his trial on the Montgomery County courtroom this week. He stands accused of murdering and raping 10-month-old Zara Scruggs in his condo off of the 3400 block of Germantown Pike in Lower Providence Township, on October 3, 2020.
First Assistant District Attorney Edward F. McCann Jr. and co-prosecutor Brianna Ringwood summarized the case on Tuesday and wrapped up their side of the case.
Dr. Stephanie Ann Deutsch took the stand for prosecutors and showed that Zara was both bodily and selfishly abused.
Zara was a victim of child physical abuse and kid sexual abuse,” she stated, adding that the baby suffered from blunt power trauma and “penetrative trauma from sexual abuse,” in particular rectal trauma.
As CrimeOnline in the past reported, Stevens allegedly attempted to cover his crimes up after his daughter, 10-month-old Zara Scruggs, became unresponsive whilst in his care.
“You would possibly no longer wish to imagine it. He attempted to cover it. But that’s what the evidence on this case will display,” Ringwood stated all the way through opening statements. “This case is not a few father or mother who panicked. Zara is lifeless as a result of of the deliberate alternatives which can be man-made. Everything he did was once planned and intentional.”
Stevens’ protection legal professional, Evan J. Kelly, argued that there aren't any witnesses to again up the accusations, adding that Stevens had no purpose to murder his personal daughter.
“It’s simple to listen to an impressive opening observation and it’s simple to rush to judgment,” Kelly mentioned. “Please be affected person and concentrate to the evidence.”
Stevens, a former assistant youth football coach for Lower Providence Warriors, used to be arrested following the incident the same day.
Zara was once at Stevens’ place of dwelling when a 911 call used to be placed. At around 10:40 p.m., responding officers who arrived at the house discovered the baby unresponsive in a “blood saturated” diaper.
First responders rushed Zara to the Einstein Medical Center in Montgomery County, where she used to be pronounced dead. The bloody diaper used to be handed over to the government, who later said the baby confirmed signs of sexual assault.
Stevens had a joint custody settlement with Zara’s mom and he had not too long ago moved to his own home. Zara used to be alone with Stevens during his visitation time when the incident passed off, in keeping with the District Attorney’s Office.
After the baby’s death, investigators acquired a search warrant for Stevens’ phone, which allegedly had search queries that incorporated:
- What in the event you don’t listen baby middle or beat
- My baby isn’t breathing
- How have you learnt if a baby is dead
- If baby stops breathing
READ MORE: No warmth or hot water in rental while father rapes 10-month-old baby lady, then flirts on Instagram as she dies
“The Coroner’s Office’s ruling that this 10-month-old baby’s loss of life was once murder confirms what our investigation confirmed: Zara died a deeply worrying death by the hands of her father. Stevens must solution to homicide fees,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele previously stated, consistent with CBS Philly.
“He had sole custody of the baby all over this era of time.”
During an interview between investigators and Stevens, the suspect reportedly claimed that he left his daughter in short in the tub while he went to the kitchen. Stevens allegedly mentioned he “heard a bang” and went again to the toilet and spotted his daughter had bumped her head.
Stevens said he got rid of Zara from the tub, positioned a towel round her, and while striking her on a bed, spotted that her head fell again. He mentioned he dialed 911 and instantly began CPR. Detectives, however, said that Stevens’ Internet searches occurred sooner than he referred to as 911.
Stevens later admitted he panicked and made the Internet searches, in line with officers. He also admitted to chatting with two women folk on Instagram and by no means bringing up the rest about Zara.
“The messaging content material didn't speak about any issues relating to Zara or her need for emergency care,” the arrest affidavit read.
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[Feature Photo: Zara Scruggs/GoFundMe]
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