Louisiana woman found guilty of murdering girl in 'dungeon-like' room
· Toronto Sun
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A Louisiana woman was found guilty of first-degree murder in a case involving her boyfriend’s two young children last Thursday.
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Terrie Gray, 49, of Leesville, was convicted after just five minutes of deliberation by the jury of murdering Athena Rose Denise Miller, 4, who prosecutors said was repeatedly abused in a “dungeon-like” bedroom, KPLC reported.
Gray was also convicted of second-degree child abuse involving the little girl’s two-year-old brother, Salem.
The two children and their father, Logan Miller, 26, had moved into Gray’s home in 2024, according to authorities.
Teen describes girl’s injuries
The court heard emotional testimony from Gray’s teen daughter, Scarlett, who offered a timeline of the abuse in the months after the two children moved into her home.
Scarlett testified that she once saw her mother in the bathroom, standing behind Athena with the girl’s “arms pulled straight backwards,” American Press reported.
She said she saw bruises on the girl’s arms, legs and shoulder.
“Over time, I saw the scratches on her body, and I saw the marks under her neck getting worse,” Scarlett said.
Scarlett also testified that she found Athena unconscious in her room, and had performed CPR on the child before she was taken to a local hospital and airlifted to a trauma facility in Shreveport.
“I could barely feel (a pulse), and the breaths from her nose seemed to be coming from me doing the compressions,” she said.
Athena died a day later, on Nov. 7, 2024.
Testimony from forensic pathologist and child abuse pediatrician
Forensic pathologist Dr. Barbara Herfel testified that Athena suffered “multiple events of trauma” that included a bilateral brain bleed, multiple fractures, a broken clavicle, and burns on her face and neck, American Press reported.
Graphic autopsy photos were reportedly shown in court of the injuries on Athena’s body, along with photos of the injuries on Salem’s body.
Child abuse pediatrician Dr. Jennifer Rodriguez testified that Athena’s injuries were “non-accidental,” while the injuries on Salem were consistent with neglect or abuse, KPLC reported.
Gray’s sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 25. Under Lousiana law, she faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
The children’s father was also charged. His trial scheduled to begin on Oct. 19.