Americus, Georgia – A young woman, once crowned a local beauty queen, is facing serious charges, including felony murder, after the death of her boyfriend’s toddler.
Eighteen-year-old Trinity Madison Pogue was arrested last month in connection with the death of 18-month-old Romeo Angeles, affectionately called “Jackson” by his family. Pogue was released on a $775,000 cash bond last week after spending several weeks in the Sumter County Jail.
Trinity Madison Pogue, 18, smiles in her Miss Donaldsonville 2023 pageant photo.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) began their investigation on January 14th when the toddler was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital. A medical examiner determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma. Pogue, who was crowned Miss Donaldsonville 2023 and also competed in the Miss National Peanut Festival, was subsequently arrested and charged.
“Blunt Force Trauma” Raises Questions
Georgia criminal defense attorney Meg Strickler, who is not affiliated with the case but has been following it closely, spoke about the disturbing nature of the charges. “When you read those words ‘blunt force trauma’… I can’t elicit anything friendly in my brain,” Strickler commented.
Strickler went on to describe the potential severity implied by the term, “I think of horrible things happening to this little tiny baby…an 18-month-old is still tiny in the sense of being able to defend themselves.” The nature of the trauma, Strickler explained, could indicate a range of possibilities, from severe shaking to forceful pushing or pulling, all of which could lead to the type of injuries Jackson sustained.
Attorney Meg Strickler speaks in a television interview.
Bond Conditions and What They Mean
Despite the severity of the charges, Pogue was granted bond, a decision which Strickler believes reflects both the rural setting of the case and a growing trend in the criminal justice system.
“It doesn’t bother me at all that that’s a $75,000 bond. That’s very normal. It’s a small county, uh, in the rural parts of Georgia, so numbers are usually a little bit lower than bigger cities,” Strickler stated. She also highlighted the increasing use of ankle monitors, saying, “More importantly, they gave her an ankle monitor, and that is a trend I am seeing even in Atlanta.”
Strickler emphasized the restrictive nature of ankle monitoring, comparing it to “being a dog on a leash.” Pogue will be required to wear the monitor at all times and will need permission from the court or her probation officer for any travel outside of specific circumstances like medical appointments.
A Long Road Ahead: What’s Next in the Case
With Pogue out on bond, the case will proceed through the legal system. Strickler anticipates a lull in activity until a formal indictment is issued, which she estimates could take six months to a year. Once Pogue is indicted, the pace will pick up considerably.
Strickler believes the case is almost certain to go to trial given the seriousness of the charges, stating, “I will tell you confidently, these kinds of cases almost always go to trial because of the gravity… you know, she’s facing murder.”
Unanswered Questions and Potential Defenses
The GBI has not yet released many details surrounding the events leading up to Jackson’s death, and it remains unclear what exactly transpired. Strickler points out that the prosecution must have some compelling evidence to have pursued such serious charges and to have kept Pogue in jail for a month prior to granting bond.
Whether or not Pogue will choose to testify in her own defense is unknown at this time. Strickler notes that such a decision is complex and often depends on the specifics of the evidence and the potential risks and benefits of a defendant taking the stand.
The case continues to raise questions about the circumstances surrounding Jackson’s tragic death. As the legal process unfolds, more details are likely to emerge, shedding light on what led to this heartbreaking situation.
