SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) \u2013 [UPDATE 12\/5 AT 5:28 P.M.]: Former Donalsonville pageant queen Trinity Poague was sentenced less than an hour a guilty verdict was reached. <\/p>\n
Poague was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 concurrent years for the murder of her boyfriend\u2019s 18-month-old son, Romeo \u201cJaxton Dru\u201d Angles. <\/p>\n
|READ MORE: Child identified in GBI death investigation involving Miss Donalsonville<\/a>|<\/p>\n [UPDATE 12\/5 at 4:39 p.m.]: Former Donalsonville pageant queen Trinity Poague was found guilty on:<\/p>\n Two counts of felony murderTwo counts of aggravated batteryOne count of cruelty to children in the first degree<\/p>\n She was found not guilty on malice murder.<\/p>\n [ORIGINAL STORY]: A Sumter County courtroom was full Friday morning, Dec. 5, as closing arguments concluded in the trial of former beauty queen, Trinity Pogue. Poague is accused in the death of her boyfriend\u2019s 18-month-old son, Romeo \u201cJaxton Dru\u201d Angles. The jury is now deliberating Poague\u2019s fate. <\/p>\n Prosecutors say Poague caused \u201cblunt-force trauma to the head and torso\u201d inside a dorm room at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) in January 2024, resulting in fatal brain and organ injuries. Poague previously told the child\u2019s father that the toddler had fallen off the bed.<\/p>\n |READ MORE: Child identified in GBI death investigation involving Miss Donalsonville<\/a>|<\/p>\n Around 9 a.m. Friday, Judge W. James Sizemore, Jr. stated no reactions or outbursts would be allowed during closing arguments, and that anyone who causes a disruption could be removed from the courtroom. He also informed the gallery that the doors would be locked during closing arguments, with no in-and-out movement allowed.<\/p>\n Jurors requested breaks, so they will take a short break every hour throughout closing arguments. <\/p>\n Family and supporters for the toddler\u2019s father, Julian \u201cJay\u201d Williams, filled their side of the courtroom. Family and friends behind Pogue appeared emotional as Friday\u2019s proceedings began. <\/p>\n During initial closing arguments, the state focused on who was present with the child during the brief window when doctors say his fatal injuries occurred.<\/p>\n \u201cThat girl killed that little boy. She killed that little boy. She cracked his skull. Out of anger out of malice. We\u2019ll talk about all that later. She killed that little boy. The only person that could have possibly done this in the time frame in which it had to occurred. Don\u2019t let these other things that don\u2019t have anything to do with the answer to that question. Who killed JD Angeles. Don\u2019t let these other things cloud your vision and fog your brain.\u201c <\/p>\n The defense argued jurors must decide whether the state has met its obligation to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, reminding them it is their duty to hold prosecutors to every element of the charge, and that if any reasonable doubt exists, they cannot convict Poague.<\/p>\n \u201cYou cannot discount the possibility that Mr. Williams could\u2019ve been responsible. You cannot discount the possibility that an accident happened to the child while they were showering. You can not the discount the possibility that the fall from a 40-inch bed caused injury to this child. All those are reasonable doubts. You can not come back with a verdict otherwise,\u201d said Tim Gamble, Poague\u2019s defense attorney.<\/p>\n Poague is charged with the following:<\/p>\n Malice murder2 counts of felony murder2 counts of aggravated batteryCruelty to children in the first degree<\/p>\n If convicted, Poague faces a life sentence. After closing arguments, the jury will be charged and deliberations will begin. <\/p>\n WALB will continue to follow developments in the trial.<\/p>\n PREVIOUS COVERAGE:<\/p>\n If convicted, Poague faces a life sentence. After closing arguments, the jury will be charged and deliberations will begin.<\/p>\n Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know.<\/a> Please include the article\u2019s headline in your message.<\/p>\n To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook<\/a> and X (Twitter)<\/a>. For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store<\/a> or Google Play<\/a>. <\/p>\n Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n