A Hatfield man has been ordered to stand trial on murder charges, stemming from the death of his girlfriend’s 4-year-old daughter in 2016.
Charges of first-and-third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of children, strangulation, aggravated assault, simple assault and unlawful restraint of a minor were held against 32-year-old Marquis Thomas, during a preliminary hearing on Monday morning in front of Magisterial District Judge Ed Levine.
The hearing, which ran close to two hours in length, included recorded testimony from the victim’s now-9-year-old brother, in which he informed investigators that he had allegedly suffered ongoing abuse at the hands of Thomas, including a hospitalization in September 2018. According to a report by KYW, the boy sobbed uncontrollably for nearly a minute of the recording, after being asked if he ever saw Thomas beat or choke anyone else. He eventually replied his sister, the report states.
Carrie Allman, a public defender who is representing Thomas, argued that the cause of death in 2016 was ruled inconclusive, and said that the injuries noted at that time could have been caused by resuscitation attempts. Allman also argued that there was not enough evidence to prove that the June 2019 cause of death findings—which ruled the manner of death as a homicide—should usurp the 2016 findings, but Judge Levine disagreed and the charges were held for formal arraignment at county court.
Upon exiting district court, Thomas professed his innocence, saying he would never do anything to harm his kids, adding that the truth will come out, according to the KYW report.
The case will now head to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas for a formal arraignment, though a date has not yet been set. Thomas remains remanded to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility with no opportunity for bail.
(Editor's note: All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. Should the defendant choose to issue a public statement, or is later found not guilty or has the charges dropped, we will update this article accordingly.)
See also:
Hatfield Man Accused Of Killing Girlfriend’s 4-Year-Old Daughter, Faces First Degree Murder Charges
Hatfield Man Charged With Repeatedly Beating Girlfriend’s Son [UPDATED]
Souderton Woman Charged With Drug Delivery Resulting In Death In Fatal Lansdale Overdose
Souderton Man Charged In Stabbing Of Off-Duty Lansdale Police Officer
Man Accused Of Stealing Excavator From Work Site In Hatfield
