By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A Yukon man has been bound over for trial in a baby’s death.
Joshua Paul Jennings, 34, is due to appear at 9 a.m. Jan. 14, 2022, for district court arraignment before District Judge Jack D. McCurdy.
Canadian County Special Judge Charles Gass, at a Nov. 5th preliminary hearing, found probable cause Jennings committed first-degree murder Sept. 25, 2020.
Judge Gass ruled after hearing testimony from witnesses and denying the defense’s general demurrer.
Jennings appeared in the courtroom with his attorney, Michael Amend. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey.
Jennings was charged with first-degree murder Oct. 20, 2020, in Canadian County District Court.
If convicted of the felony crime, he faces death, life in prison or life in prison without parole.
Jennings is accused of hurting 10-month-old Paisley Cearley while she was in his care at a Yukon-area apartment.
ADA Murrey alleges Jennings caused the baby’s death “by willfully and/or maliciously injuring or using unreasonable force” and “thereby inflicting certain mortal wounds,” court records show.
Oklahoma City Police officers responded Sept. 25, 2020, to a minor emergency clinic at 520 S Mustang Road after learning the baby was brought in with critical injuries.
The infant was later taken to an area hospital where she died the next morning, according to Oklahoma City Police Master Sgt. Gary Knight.
Investigators believe the injuries to Paisley occurred at her home in the 11300 block of S.W. 5th.
Jennings was reportedly the boyfriend of the baby’s mother.
Since Sept. 26, 2020, the defendant has been held without bond at the Canadian County Jail in El Reno.
