Three-year-old Tatiana Emerson died Aug. 27, 2014 from blunt force trauma. Her mother’s boyfriend, Rhasean Lowry, 34, has been charged with criminal homicide and is accused of beating her to death. Jurors heard closing arguments today and will soon begin deliberating in the murder trial of a 37-year-old Chattanooga man accused of beating a child to death.
Prosecutors stuck to their main points: Video surveillance and medical testimony showed that Rhasean Lowry lied about 3-year-old Tatiana Emerson falling down the stairs at an Econo Lodge on Aug. 26, 2014.
“These are intentional acts,” said prosecutor Cameron Williams. “These are 70 blows, 70 inflicted injuries. On the right side of her face, left side of her face, the back of her head. On her trunk, abdomen, back, bottom, legs.”
Emerson died from these injuries three days later at Erlanger, and Lowry faces first-degree felony murder and aggravated child abuse charges.
Defense attorney Dan Ripper had a different perspective.
Ripper said the state couldn’t prove Emerson didn’t fall down the stairs and that an independent medical professional found her injuries were consistent with Lowry’s account.
That professional, a former medical examiner in Kansas named Thomas Young, said Emerson’s bruising and bleeding could have resulted from going 20 minutes without oxygen followed by hours of intensive medical care.
“Here’s an even bigger point that I think should be considered,” Ripper said. “If [Lowry’s] really trying to disguise this, and trying to make sure nobody finds out, why take her to the hospital at all?”
Prosecutors jumped on both arguments.
“Dr. Young is trying to tell you that [doctors and nurses] are the ones who put these bruises on Tatiana’s body,” prosecutor Lance Pope said. “That it’s associated with medical handling. Does that make any sense?”
Pope said Lowry doubled down on his story at the hospital, lying to police while his daughter’s health faltered.
“Does he says one word about Tatiana Emerson, the little girl who’s lying in a hospital bed dying?” Pope asked. “He doesn’t care about her. He cares about himself.
“Don’t believe his lies,” Pope said. “Don’t be distracted by phony medical proof.
“I’m not asking you to go in that jury room and convict Mr. Lowry because he lied to police,” Pope said. “I’m asking you to convict Mr. Lowry because on the morning of Aug. 26 he took that sweet, quiet little girl, and he wrecked her.”
Judge Don Poole began reading instructions to the jury around noon. They will begin deliberating once he finishes.