Trial in killing of 2-year-old Dante Mullinix is delayed over issues such as I-83 billboard
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The trial of a man who’s accused of killing 2-year-old Dante Mullinix in 2018 in York was postponed on Thursday after both sides raised concerns over issues including pretrial publicity from a billboard off Interstate 83 that blames the York County Office of Children, Youth and Families for the child’s death.
Common Pleas Judge Gregory M. Snyder granted the defense’s request for a continuance in the case of Tyree Bowie and scheduled a status hearing for May 20. He’s charged with first- and third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child.
Previous coverage:The tragic life and death of 2-year-old Dante Mullinix: ‘This poor kid was doomed from the beginning'
On Sept. 14, 2018, Dante died at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The boy experienced injuries including a compressed neck, bleeding on the brain and bruises all over his body, Dr. Wayne Ross, a forensic pathologist, later testified.
Bowie, 43, of York, was watching the boy before he became unresponsive, York City police said.
But some of Dante’s relatives, including his aunt, Sarah Mullinix, believe that Bowie is innocent. She runs a Facebook page called Justice For Dante, which has more than 5,400 likes.
Farley Holt, Bowie’s attorney, said he recently received scans that he wanted to share with his forensic pathologist, Dr. David Fowler, the retired chief medical examiner of Maryland who testified for the defense at the trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.
Fowler testified that he would’ve listed George Floyd’s manner of death as undetermined. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh later announced that his office would review all in-custody death determinations during Fowler’s tenure.
Check out:York County judge dismisses case for Facebook posts against aunt of 2-year-old Dante Mullinix
Meanwhile, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Erin Kraska said Holt had never asked for the scans.
Kraska, though, raised concerns over pretrial publicity stemming from the digital billboard, which is before the Emigsville exit of I-83 southbound, features two pictures of Dante and states, “I was murdered because York County Children Youth and Families left me to die — Even though a forensic nurse told them I should be taken 4 days prior! Why didn't my life matter?”
Court Administrator Paul Crouse also reported that his office sent out 125 jury summonses for next week — but he could not say how many people would show up.
Kraska said she did not oppose a continuance. Holt then asked for a delay, noting the severity and complexity of the case.
Bowie is being held without bail in York County Prison.
Dylan Segelbaum is the courthouse reporter at the York Daily Record, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK. Contact him at dsegelbaum@ydr.com, by phone at 717-916-3981 or on Twitter @dylan_segelbaum.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Trial in death of 2-year-old Dante Mullinix in 2018 in York is delayed
