courts:

Prosecutors might seek death penalty in child death case

Rayshaun Coleman appears in Henderson Justice Court on Nov. 12 to face charges of first-degree murder, child abuse and neglect in the death of an infant earlier this year. The Clark County medical examiner testified the baby suffered from traumatic brain injuries.

By Tiffany Gibson

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2009 | 10:17 a.m.

Rayshaun T. Coleman

Man accused in infant’s death denies alleged beating (11-12-09)
Henderson man charged in infant’s death (3-9-09)

Infant death

A death review committee will determine whether prosecutors should seek the death penalty for a 21-year-old Henderson man accused of killing his girlfriend’s baby.

Rayshaun Coleman is charged with first-degree murder, child abuse and neglect. He pleaded not guilty to those charges this morning during an arraignment.

Public defender Randy Pike said a trial date can’t be set until after the death review committee meeting. He said if prosecutors don’t seek the death penalty, Coleman could be sentenced to life in prison.

A status check was set for 8:15 a.m. on Dec. 15.

Coleman’s case has been combined with that of the mother of the infant, 21-year-old Christal Hilburn-Gaynor, who has been charged with child abuse and neglect after leaving the infant in Coleman’s care while she was serving weekends at the Henderson Detention Center on domestic violence and battery charges.

Hilburn-Gaynor pleaded not guilty this morning to child abuse and neglect charges.

Attorney Robert Glennen said the death review committee could delay Hilburn-Gaynor’s trial. He said he planned to file a motion to separate the cases.

“I expect a separate trial in the near future,” Glennen said.

Coleman was arrested after officers received a 911 call on March 8 that a baby wasn’t breathing. Police arrived at the house in the 1900 block of Dunnam Street, near Pabco and Sunset roads, and found the baby beaten and burned, authorities have said.

During the preliminary hearing for Coleman, officers testified there were discrepancies in his story and that he didn’t immediately call 911. Officers also said Coleman told them someone else must have entered the home and injured the baby while the boy was sleeping.

A Clark County medical examiner testified the baby died from traumatic brain injuries, including two fractures on the right side of the skull. The baby was five weeks, four days old.

An autopsy revealed the infant also had several fractured ribs, some of which were injuries suffered seven to 10 days before his death. Other injuries were older wounds beginning to heal, the medical examiner said.

The infant’s death was ruled as a homicide.

CORRECTION: The Sun previously reported that David Schieck was in court to represent Rayshaun Coleman, however, it was special public defender Randy Pike. The names have been corrected. The Sun regrets this error. | (December 16, 2009)

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By JohnDeaux

Dec. 1, 2009

1:20 p.m.

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David Schieck admitted under oath in a murder case that he is ineffective as an attorney. David Schieck should be replaced as head of the Special Defender's Office.

The Special Public Defender should be Tom Pitaro, someone who has actually gotten an acquittal at trial. And actually has some passion, unlike the mannequin style perfected by David Schieck.

Get Rid of David Schieck as your attorney. Your life may depend on it.
By munadaul

Dec. 1, 2009

8:27 p.m.

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I'm glad to hear they are seeking the death penalty in this case. I'm confused as to how the article reads about Hilburn-Gaynor's situation. It said she was charged on abuse and neglect and then it mentioned that her case was being combined with Coleman's. If so, does that mean she is also possibly going to get the death penalty as well? I think the death penalty should be enforced. It gives the innocent a chance for peace and justice and especially in this case for Tristen. The death penalty should be a wake up call to all of the predators out there feeding on the innocent and the weak. Unfortunately, it seems like our jail system is like a country club for our prisoners. I bet if the jail system were like some other countries they would try their hardest not to go back. It's sad this country is becoming the way it is. It's not getting better, I fear it's just going to get a lot worse.
By Mike123

Dec. 2, 2009

1:50 a.m.

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Kill him, do the world a favor.
By ibelieveinjustice

Dec. 3, 2009

9:55 p.m.

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Hilburn-Gaynor will not get the death penalty or charged with murder due to the fact she was not at home at the time of the baby's burns or skull fracture she was in JAIL and not released until the morning after the death of the baby. However I do think she should get the full extent of the law because she should have known her baby was not right and for a very long time. other details will start to come out during the trials for both Coleman and Hilburn-Gaynor.