Closing arguments began Friday morning in Sumter County, in connection with the murder trial against Trinity Poague, a Georgia woman accused of killing her boyfriend’s toddler son.
Poague is charged with malice murder, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated battery, and cruelty to children in the death of Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angeles, as CrimeOnline reported.
On Thursday, the prosecution argued that “only one person,” the defendant, had been with Jaxton inside Poague’s Southwestern State University dorm room in Americus, Court TV reports.
Jaxton passed away on January 14, 2025, after the defendant allegedly inflicted blunt force trauma to the tot’s head and torso area. Poague later claimed the boy had fallen from a bed.
However, Phoebe Sumter Family Physician Michael Busman testified earlier this week that the injuries were not consistent with someone falling from a bed.
Poague later admitted that she had shaken the toddler for misbehaving.
Busman, who said he has over 30 years of experience working in an emergency room, stated Jaxton was unresponsive with no pulse when he arrived at the hospital.
Once they detected a heartbeat, medical staff saw head swelling that came from a “from a direct blow.” Medical staff also found liquid coming out of his nose and facial swelling.
Two former GSW students testified Thursday that they heard Jaxton crying frequently while with Poague. Other students testified that they never had issued with Poague when she babysat their children.
Poague’s defense lawyer, Wilbur T. Gamble III, called the child’s father, Julian Williams, a “controlling boyfriend,” who drank the night prior.
Prosecutors argued that the defendant resented Jaxon and wanted a child of her own with Williams. She allegedly sent text messages to friends, stating that she wanted to “punch the child and that they hated each other.”
Meanwhile, the child’s mother, Angeles Garnica, told DailyMail that she had been living in Florida when she learned her son had died.
“His life was taken at such an early age, and it’s just been hard since everything started,’ Garnica said.
“I just hope – we hope – that my son gets the justice that he deserves.”
If convicted, Poague faces a life sentence.
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[Feature Photos via Find a Grave/Facebook]
