Opening statements begin Tuesday in the murder trial of Daveon Jonquavious Wood, the 22-year-old Hephzibah father accused of killing his four-month-old son, Aiden, last year.
Wood is under indictment for two counts of felony murder, cruelty to children in the first degree and family violence battery. Prosecutors say the infant suffered a brain injury after being struck or shaken while in Wood’s care.
According to the indictment, Wood caused the infant physical and mental pain by “grabbing, shaking and striking the child while he was crying.” The act of child cruelty caused the child to suffer a brain injury, stop breathing and die, it said.
Wood has been in jail for child cruelty since Nov. 9, when the child was injured. Authorities added the murder charge a week later when Aiden Wood passed away. His family and staff at Children’s Hospital of Georgia held an honor walk before his organs were donated.
Wood’s attorneys have attempted to get evidence from a prior incident at a Tobacco Road McDonald’s excluded from trial. Upset the computer system was down, Wood reportedly pointed a gun at employees. Returning home while the child’s mother was away, Wood took the baby in a room and was heard screaming at his son before the child stopped crying and breathing, according to prior reports. Wood had been arrested previously for domestic violence, stalking and other offenses.
Jury selection took place Monday in Richmond County Senior Superior Court Judge Daniel Craig’s court. Augusta Circuit Assistant District Attorney Justin Mullis is lead prosecutor and Tiera Williams is representing Wood.
