Victim’s Mother Refuses to Testify Out of Fear

By Alyssia Davis [former] - April 18, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Prior to testifying in court, the victim’s mother expressed to the prosecutor her anxiety and fear of testifying against the defendant accused of murdering their 2-month old baby after he attempted to persuade her to change her testimony through a letter he wrote to her on April 15.

Darius Williams, 34, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree child abuse resulting in the death of a youth under the age of 13, and first-degree child abuse which resulted in severe physical injury for his alleged involvement with an incident that occurred on May 15, 2021.

The prosecutor called the victim’s mother to testify on Friday. The mother said on May 15, 2021, when she woke up, she saw her daughter laying in her bed on her back with her hand up dead. She also said that her daughter’s skin complexion looked different compared to the night before. 

The victim’s mother also said that the defendant was watching the victim, Zorii Pitts while the mother took a shower. Prior to the baby’s death, the victim’s mother said nothing looked any different about her. 

The prosecutor presented the jurors letters that the defendant gave to the victim’s mother while he was in jail. 

Williams defense attorney Paul Polansky asked the victim’s mother how the defendant was with the children. In response she noted that she never saw Williams being abusive or violent towards their baby. He was affectionate towards Zorii, says the victim’s mother. 

On that evening, after showering, the mother noted that the baby was in her crib while the defendant was lying on the bed. She also said that before going to sleep she did not check on her baby, saying the baby looked asleep. 

Defense counsel questioned if the mother had anything alcoholic to drink that evening, in response she admitted to having a glass of wine with her dinner after repeatedly saying that she did not have any alcohol that night. 

Polanksy also addressed the depression, saying she suffered from depression in the past. She also said that soon after giving birth she returned to the hospital, for postpartum preeclampsia. 

In a rebuttal, the prosecution inquired about who was alone with the baby. In response the victim’s mother said that only her and the defendant were alone with the victim leading up to her death. 

The lead detective said he initially saw the defendant pacing back and forth while the victim’s mother was sobbing. He also said that once in the residence, he was directed to the basement, where the baby was. 

A technician on the scene pointed out something abnormal to the right area of the baby’s head, which did not look like a normal bruise, said the detective. Plus, the skin color of the baby had not changed either. 

On May 16, 2021, the detective received a call from the medical examiner regarding the autopsy of the baby, which resulted in the case being ruled a homicide. The detective also added that he was shown a cat scan, and x-rays of the baby’s skull. The medical examiner told the detective the injuries on the baby’s head did not result from falling. 

The medical examiner told the detective that the injuries the baby sustained are from being crushed. Zorii had several skull fractured in many places that caused her brain to bleed, resulting in brain damage, according to the medical examiner. 

After speaking with the medical examiner, the detective spoke to both parents of the baby to go over more details about what happened. 

The prosecutor presented the defendant’s interview with the detective to jurors, as well as the 911 call from the victim’s mother. Throughout the phone call the defendant’s voice was calm while the mother was crying and screaming hysterically. 

During the cross-exam, defense counsel Polansky questioned what evidence was collected from the defendant. The detective responded that there was no evidence recovered from the defendant after obtaining a search warrant. 

Williams’ trial is scheduled to continue on April 18.