DA seeks death penalty for guardian accused of murdering child

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A woman in Mecklenburg County could be put to death for murdering a 6-year-old girl. Police say Tonya McKnight beat and neglected Domonique Moody. Mark Jetton criminal defense attorney explains the process for capital punishment.

“If you’re found guilty of first degree murder, then there’s another sentencing trial that you put on all this evidence to try to convince a jury why this case is so egregious that this person should be put to death,” Jetton said.

Medics found the child inside an East Charlotte where police say she had been held in dog cages. She was 27 pounds when she died last December. Two other women are also facing murder charges, but right now the district attorney’s office is asking for the death penalty for McKnight.

Moody’s case revealed gaps in the state’s child welfare system. McKnight was Moody’s guardian. The case prompted new legislation to protect children. Lawmakers held an eight hour hearing in Raleigh. Representative Carla Cunningham sponsored the Dominique Moody Act.

“Dominique Moody struck a nerve because it was in Mecklenburg County, and it had gone on for quite a while,” Rep. Carla Cunningham said. “I think a message, a clear message is being sent to anybody that decide to abuse and then neglect children at that level.”

North Carolina’s last execution was back in 2006. The district attorney’s office in Mecklenburg County last asked for the death penalty ten years ago but the defendant was given life instead.

“The idea of of of putting someone to death and getting that agreed on by 12 people can be difficult,” Jetton said. “I would say that the likelihood of her getting the death penalty will be slim.”

The court is in the process of appointing another attorney for McKnight because capital murder cases require two attorneys. There is no date set for the trial at this time. Jetton says murder cases often take years to finish in Mecklenburg County.