PORT GIBSON, Miss. (AP) - A jury in Mississippi has found a woman guilty of capital murder in the death of her 14-month-old stepdaughter.
After a five-day trial in Claiborne County, jurors returned a guilty verdict Friday against T’Kia Bevily in the October 2017 death of Jurayah Smith.
Investigators said the toddler received multiple blunt-force injuries to her head and was killed while in custody of T’kia and Morris Bevily.
A date has not been set yet for T’Kia Bevily’s sentencing.
Morris Bevily, the child’s father, faces trial beginning Monday, news outlets reported.
“I could not be prouder of my prosecution team which brought Jurayah’s murderer to justice,” District Attorney Daniella M. Shorter said. “Now Jurayah’s family can finally have some peace knowing that T’Kia Bevily will be in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.”
The child’s mother, DeDreuna Smith, in a statement released after the verdict thanked prosecutors for “pursuing justice” on her daughter’s behalf.
“Knowing that the person responsible for the homicide of my precious Jurayah is being held accountable for their actions brings a feeling of relief over my whole family,” Smith said. “Receiving this guilty verdict is only the start of the healing process for my family, our friends, loved ones & myself. We’re grateful for the outcome and we’re hopeful for the peaceful closure that this process has brought.”
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