By Conrad Dudderar
Staff Writer
A Canadian County jury has found a Yukon man guilty of first-degree murder for causing the death of a baby more than two years ago.
Joshua Paul Jennings, 34, will be formally sentenced at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 9 by Canadian County District Court.
Jury members deliberated for an hour before returning their verdict to end a three-day trial this week in Canadian County District Court.
The jury recommended Jennings be sentenced to serve life without parole in state prison. A first-degree murder conviction also carries possible penalties of death or life in prison with parole.
Judge McCurdy will determine Jennings’ punishment after reviewing a pre-sentence investigation report conducted by the state Department of Corrections and hearing witness testimony at the Nov. 9th sentencing hearing.
Jennings was convicted in the September 2020 death of Paisley Cearley, 10 months. The baby girl was in his care at an apartment south of Interstate 40 near Mustang Road.
Jennings was found guilty on the felony murder charge for causing the infant’s death “by willfully and/or maliciously injuring or using unreasonable force” and “thereby inflicting certain mortal wounds,” court records show.
WAS BABY MOTHER’S BOYFRIEND
The injuries to Paisley occurred at her home in the 11300 block of S.W. 5th, near I-40 and Mustang Road in Yukon.
Jennings was the boyfriend of the baby’s mother.
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 young victim was later taken to an area hospital where she died the next morning.
Jennings’ defense attorney is Michael J. Amend of Norman.
Prosecutor is Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey.
