Hearing delayed for man accused in toddler’s death

By Cara McCoy

Friday, Oct. 23, 2009 | 11:16 a.m.

A preliminary hearing for a man charged with killing and sexually assaulting a toddler whose body was found in an apartment complex trash bin in June was delayed this morning in Las Vegas Justice Court.

William Marshall, 38, is charged with one count of murder and one count of sexual assault with a victim under 14 years of age in the death and alleged assault of 21-month-old Shia Travis, whose body was found June 10 wrapped in a pillow case in a trash bin at 560 Sierra Vista Ave.

Marshall was scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing this morning but refused to be transferred from the Clark County Detention Center, court officials said. Dan Silverstein, Marshall's public defender, said there was miscommunication with his client -- he had told Marshall he planned to ask Justice of the Peace Nancy Oesterle for a continuance and Marshall believed that meant he didn't need to be present in court, Silverstein said.

Attorneys today said the completed autopsy report had only been made available to them this week. Silverstein said he needed more time to review the autopsy records, which was why he asked for the continuance.

The preliminary hearing is now scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 18.

The toddler victim's body was found by two men looking for cans in the trash bin behind Marshall's apartment complex, arrest records indicate.

Marshall has been in custody since his July 11 arrest at a Tempe, Ariz., motel where he was found with the toddler's mother, Darrean Williams, 22. Williams, who lived in the apartment with Marshall, hasn't been charged.

During the autopsy, medical investigators found blunt force trauma to the child's head, according to an arrest report. Medical investigators also said there were injuries consistent with rape.

When police searched the apartment, investigators found two holes that matched the size of the girl's head in a bedroom wall that contained her hair. An autopsy revealed that the girl had died from a blow or blows to her head from fists or from being thrown against a wall.

Records indicate investigators also found similar hair in an empty section of the apartment's freezer where Marshall and the girl's mother lived. The hair matched that of the victim, police said.

Investigators found a pillow missing a case in the apartment. They also found diapers that matched the size and type the toddler was wearing.