The prosecutor in the case of a girl whose remains were found in a shallow grave in Augusta said she plans to seek the death penalty if the girl’s stepfather is convicted of murdering her.
In a court filing, Richmond County District Attorney Natalie Paine said the murder of Latania Janell Carwell was "outrageously or wanton vile, horrible, or inhuman in that it involved torture, depravity of mind or an aggravated battery on the victim," the Augusta Chronicle reported.
Stepfather Leon Tripp, 39, has been indicted on murder and other charges in connection with Carwell’s death.
The remains of Carwell, who last was seen with her stepfather April 17, were found in the backyard of a vacant residence in Augusta on March 8, 2018. They were identified through dental records Monday.
According to the indictment, Leon Tripp caused “cruel and excessive physical and mental pain by binding the limbs and causing the death of Carwell by unknown means.”
The actual cause of death has not been made official by the medical examiner.
The indictment also charges the girl’s mother, Tanya Faye Tripp, with second-degree murder and other crimes.
From the beginning of the case, sheriff’s officials said they noticed “holes” in Tanya Tripp’s statements.
Leon and Tanya Tripp were taken into custody in metro Atlanta in May. The next month, Richmond County Sheriff Richard Roundtree said Carwell was thought to be dead based on a statement made by Leon Tripp.
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