Howard County murder trial begins

A murder trial started in the Howard County Circuit Court on Monday with a jury of eight women and 4 men. 

Devaline Wiseman has been charged with murder in the first degree for causing the death of his 3-year-old son.

The trial started Monday afternoon with testimony from Howard County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Quick who testified he was dispatched to an incident in Mineral Springs but was re-routed to Howard Memorial Hospital where the victim had been taken by private vehicle. When Deputy Quick arrived at the hospital he testified that hospital staff members were performing life-saving measures on a 3-year-old child.

Wiseman’s fiancé, Chasity Holms testified that Wiseman started punishing his son after the child soiled himself. Holms stated she left the room after a while because she began to feel uncomfortable. She said she returned to the room after the child stopped crying. Holms said when she returned to the room, the child was lying motionless on the floor.

Prosecutor Aaron Brasel shared video footage of the two interviews that Howard County Chief Deputy Joey Davis conducted with Wiseman. 

In the videos, Wiseman admitted to whipping the child with a belt, a wooden spoon and an extension cord. He also admitted to striking the child four times to the head.

Wiseman broke down in tears in the courtroom Monday afternoon, while watching the portion of the video interview where he was told his son had passed away.

The trial is expected to conclude Tuesday and will then be sent to the jurors.