Court hearing today in local child murder case

Discussion

March 8, 2013

Court hearing today in local child murder case

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Fri Mar 08, 2013, 02:42 AM CST

GREENVILLE — A local woman is expected to have an attorney appointed to represent her today on a charge of murder in connection with the death of her infant son, who allegedly was left unattended in a vehicle in December.

Sheryl Ann Jackson, 24, of Greenville, may also be formally arraigned on the indictment concerning the death of 6 month-old Tytus Hoskins, during a hearing this morning in the 196th District Court.

Jackson remains in custody at the Hunt County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bond, indicted on one count of murder involving Hoskins’ death. Jackson, who was arrested on the indictment Monday, has filed a writ of habeas corpus from the jail, seeking the appointment of an attorney, a reduction in the bond or both.

Jackson is set to be appointed an attorney during the scheduled 9 a.m. hearing, but it was unclear Thursday whether a formal arraignment — at which time Jackson could enter a plea of not guilty to the indictment — would also take place today, or whether there would be any consideration of Jackson’s bond during the hearing.

Jackson is alleged to have left Tytus Hoskins unattended in a vehicle for more than two hours on Dec. 1, 2012.

The indictment, which was issued sealed pending Jackson’s arrest, accused Jackson of “intentionally or knowingly committing or attempting to commit an act clearly dangerous to human life” — namely leaving Hoskins unattended in the vehicle for more than two hours — and/or “not informing doctors for two days that Tytus Hoskins had been left in the car unattended, that caused the death of Tytus Hoskins.”

The Greenville Police Department reported Tytus Hoskins began to succumb to exposure and the consequences of exposure on the day when the temperature rose to an unseasonably warm 81 degrees and indicated it was notified of the offense on Dec. 3, 2012, at which time it began an investigation along with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

The boy’s father, Tyrone Hoskins, has told the Herald-Banner that he believes Jackson never intended to kill Tytus Hoskins, calling Jackson’s actions “a big mistake.”

The charge is a first degree felony, punishable by a maximum sentence upon conviction of from five to 99 years to life in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000.