Boise, Idaho -- It was the first day in court for the people accused of killing 8-year-old Robert Manwill.
It seemed accusatory fingers were pointing the direction of Manwill's mother, Melissa Jenkins, and her boyfriend, Daniel Ehrlick, the moment Manwill went missing, but most of that was based on speculation, and now what police have uncovered is beginning to come to light.
Jenkins and Ehrlick entered the courtroom with little emotion on their faces, and that's how they remained through most of the arraignment as they answered general questions concerning things like the spelling of their names.
And that's likely how the arraignment would have ended, had it not been for an unusual announcement from Jenkins' attorney.
"Judge," asked her attorney, "Miss Jenkins is illiterate, so we would ask for a formal reading."
Often, lawyers will forgo a public reading of their client's indictment, but since Jenkins is unable to read it became necessary to go word for word through the indictment, which spells out just how Manwill died.
"Non-accidental abusive head trauma and or abdominal injures from which the child died or on around July 24, 2009," read Ada County judge Deborah Bail.
Jenkins and Ehrlick are both charged with first degree murder in this case for an alleged brutal beating that eventually ended in Manwill's death. But even more disturbing, the charges indicate the beating may have lasted for sometime -- beginning in June and ending July 24.
Incidentally, those charges also include a potential for torture.
"By intentionally inflicting upon Robert G. Manwill extreme or prolonged pain with the intent to cause suffering to execute vengeance or to satisfy some sadistic inclination," read Bail.
The details are sure to come out during the trial, if there is one, since there's no word yet as to how the two will plead. Nor do we know just yet whether or not prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
"Under the law we have 60 days to make a determination on whether or not we intend to sign a notice of intent to seek the death penalty," said Greg Bower, Ada County Prosecuting Attorney.
On top of first degree murder, Ehrlick is also charged with failing to report a death, which has a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Jenkins is also charged as an accessory to the same crime. That penalty is up to five years in prison.
http://www.fox12idaho.com/Global/story.asp?S=10959877&nav=menu439_2
Author