HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – An unexpected decision was made in court Tuesday afternoon during a preliminary hearing for a mother and her boyfriend in the murder of her 1-year-old daughter.
Asia Markham, 27, and Christopher Scott Olinger, 23, had been charged with first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse. The judge decided to dismiss all charges due to a lack of evidence.
Family members cheered in the courtroom as the decision was announced.
According to medical officials, 1-year-old Amiena Markham died of blunt-force trauma to the chest.
Police said they were called to a home in the 2600 block of Commor Avenue on Oct. 25 and found Asia Markham outside holding her daughter, who was unresponsive. Officials took Amiena to a nearby facility, where she was pronounced dead.
Markham was emotional during her arraignment, telling the judge she was an unemployed mother of three with no previous criminal record. Olinger had prior drug convictions, but was not on probation or parole.
Markham has two other children, ages 6 and 10.
