Sentencing Phase Of Dawkins Trial To Continue Tuesday
EL PASO, Texas — Judge David Guaderrama recessed the jury in the trial of Nakia Dawkins on Monday afternoon after jurors were presented with evidence from both sides in the sentencing phase of the trial.
On Saturday, the jury found Dawkins, a Fort Bliss soldier, guilty of injury to a child. Dawkins was originally accused of capital murder.
Dawkins faces a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 99 years or life in prison.
Dawkins’ 2-year-old goddaughter Milayna died in April 2008. At the time the toddler was living with Dawkins and his wife while her mother was deployed overseas. Dawkins claimed he was asleep when the girl died.
Dawkins’ wife Shawntrell will go on trial for separate charges in December.
The sentencing phase of the trial will resume at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday. The jury will start deliberating Dawkins’ sentence after closing arguments are made.
