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Prosecution in 'Baby Grace' Trial to Call Final Witness

Mother faces life in prison for toddler's murder

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 2, 2009 12:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Prosecutors will call their final witness today in the case against Kimberly Dawn Trenor, the Texas mother accused of beating her 2-year-old daughter to death, the AP reports. The Galveston County medical examiner will testify today as the prosecution finishes presenting evidence that Trenor, 20, with her husband, killed Riley Ann Sawyers in a deadly discipline session and hid her body in Galveston Bay.

Trenor’s husband, Royce Clyde Zeigler II, 25, will have a separate trial. Trenor’s defense alleges that it was Zeigler who fatally threw the toddler onto a tile floor. Zeigler confirmed this in a note for a failed suicide attempt but has changed his story since being taken into custody. Trenor faces life in prison if convicted of capital murder.

Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20, who is accused of killing her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, waits for the the second day of her trial to start in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.
Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20, who is accused of killing her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, waits for the the second day of her trial to start in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jennifer Reynolds, Pool)
Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20, who is accused of killing her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, enters the courtroom during the second day of her trial in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.
Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20, who is accused of killing her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, enters the courtroom during the second day of her trial in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jennifer Reynolds, Pool)
Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20, who is accused of killing her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, also known as 'Baby Grace, in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.
Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 20, who is accused of killing her daughter, Riley Ann Sawyers, also known as '"Baby Grace," in Galveston, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Jennifer Reynolds, Pool)
Royce Clyde Zeigler II, 24, of Spring, Texas is shown in this undated booking photo released by the Galveston County Sheriff's office.
Royce Clyde Zeigler II, 24, of Spring, Texas is shown in this undated booking photo released by the Galveston County Sheriff's office.   (AP Photo/Galveston County Sheriff's Office)
Kimberly Dawn Trenor of Spring, Texas.
Kimberly Dawn Trenor of Spring, Texas.   (AP Photo/Galveston County Sheriff's Office, File)
Riley Ann Sawyers, 2, whose body washed ashore in a storage bin in Galveston Bay, Texas, on Oct. 29, 2007.
Riley Ann Sawyers, 2, whose body washed ashore in a storage bin in Galveston Bay, Texas, on Oct. 29, 2007.   (AP Photo/Courtesy of Sheryl Ann Sawyers, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Mad
Feb 2, 2009 5:19 AM CST
I can understand why many are outraged by this crime, but to suggest the rule of law should be abandoned is plenty upsetting too. It's important to prove defendants culpability, even with a spirited trail, to ensure as much as possible that the guilty are punished and the innocent go free
Shannonals
Feb 2, 2009 2:18 AM CST
The fact that the state is wasting funds on a trial of this nature reflects how our system is corrupted
AnnieOkie58
Feb 2, 2009 12:47 AM CST
Its hard for me understand why these two low life's are even getting a trial...they are guilty..they admitted it in detail...there is no doubt they torched the little girl..threw her away like garbage and now the scum of the earth that they are, need to suffer....I say let them rot in a little cell with no day light for the rest of their sorry life's...

Couple accused of murder partied at picnic shortly after toddler's death
ABC 7

 
Texas • homicide • discipline • toddler • Baby Grace • Royce Clyde Zeigler II • Kimberly Dawn Trenor • Riley Ann Sawyers • beatings • criminal prosecution

 
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