In 2008, China Arnold, an Ohio woman, was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole for the murder of her 28-day-old daughter, Paris. The infant had been placed inside a microwave oven in the early hours of 30th August 2005 for a period longer than 2 minutes, and died shortly after being removed from the appliance, as per expert analysis.
During the time of the incident, China Arnold resided with her boyfriend, Terrell Talley, and her children.
The Background Story
It has been reported that Terrell Talley and China Arnold were together at a park one night when Talley began to question whether or not Paris was his biological child, as he had heard rumors of China cheating on him. This questioning led to an argument that left China Arnold feeling very angry. They eventually headed back to their residence, with China Arnold driving recklessly due to her heightened emotions.
Fueled by anger and resentment, Arnold then proceeded to place her 28-day-old daughter, Paris, inside a microwave and set a timer for at least 2 minutes, allowing the appliance to run with the infant inside.
After being placed inside a microwave oven, baby Paris suffered burns and was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, she passed away the following day due to the injuries she sustained.
During the initial questioning at the hospital, China Arnold stated that upon arriving home at 2 am, she attempted to feed Paris, but the infant refused. Arnold then noticed that Paris felt warm to the touch and placed her in a bassinet while pointing a fan towards her.
This account was later disproven by evidence found during the investigation, which revealed that Paris had indeed been placed in a microwave oven.
China Arnold was arrested for aggravated murder on November 27th, 2006.
Trial and Sentencing
China Arnold’s first trial began in February 2008.
Shortly after the first trial began, Terrell Talley gave an interview to the Dayton Daily News, claiming that his son had told him he had pulled the lifeless body of the baby out of the microwave after a neighbor’s son had put her in there.
This claim resulted in a mistrial. However, during the second trial, the mother of the boy in question testified that her son was not at the housing complex when Paris died, and Arnold was ultimately found guilty of aggravated murder.
During the sentencing phase of China Arnold’s trial, the jury were unable to reach a unanimous decision regarding the death sentence, resulting in it being taken off the table. As a result, Arnold was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The second trial was later scrutinized, and concerns were raised about whether Arnold had received a fair trial.
The case underwent a third trial in April 2011, during which China Arnold’s defense attorney contended that the evidence implicated Terrell Talley just as much as it did Arnold. The defense theory for Arnold emphasized her intoxicated state at the time of the incident. In contrast, the prosecution asserted that Arnold’s actions were premeditated and intentional, akin to using a knife or a gun.
On May 13th, 2011, China P. Arnold was found guilty by the trial jury of the aggravated murder of 28-day-old Paris Tulley.
On May 20, 2011, she was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Credits: Vocal Media