Jurors hear testimony about alleged internet searches in 3-year-old’s death trial
Prosecutors say the searches were made while Gionni Sellers was babysitting the toddler, who was home sick, while the child’s mother was at work.
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Testimony continued Thursday in the murder trial of a Middletown man accused in the death of 3-year-old Xavier Johnson, as jurors heard from an investigator about alleged internet searches found on the defendant’s phone during the final days of the child’s life in 2022.
An investigator testified that Google searches recovered from Gionni Sellers’ phone included phrases such as “why do men want to hurt babies,” “baby breathing heavy after being shook,” “getting hit in the head and head shape changes,” “three year old head trauma,” and “how to deal with a three year old.”
Prosecutors say the searches were made while Sellers was babysitting the toddler, who was home sick, while the child’s mother was at work.
Prosecutors have said Sellers was dating the child’s mother and had recently moved into the Wallkill apartment with her and Xavier earlier that year. They allege the boy was abused over the course of about a week leading up to his death.
According to prosecutors, during that final week, Xavier was sick with several common childhood viruses and could not attend day care. They say the boy’s mother believed changes in his behavior — including lethargy and bruising — were symptoms of illness, not signs of abuse.
Prosecutors have also said the illnesses Xavier tested positive for would not have caused the injuries that led to his death.
The boy’s mother and grandparents have already testified during the trial, along with police officers and the medical examiner, who detailed the injuries that caused Xavier’s death.
Outside court, Xavier’s aunt, Mariah Wilson, said hearing the testimony and seeing evidence presented to the jury has been deeply painful for the family.
“It’s very hard to take in,” Wilson said. “Especially as a family member, it’s incredibly hard to take in. It seems like each day that goes by, it’s pretty excruciating.”
Wilson said some of the evidence being shown in court is new to the family.
“It’s tough to hear for obvious reasons,” she said. “There are things that we have not known to protect the case — certain pictures and videos. It’s a lot to process.”
Despite the difficulty, Wilson said the family remains focused on honoring Xavier and seeing the case through.
“We’re all remaining strong and doing the best we can to fight for justice and to make sure Xavier gets the justice he deserves,” she said.
Sellers pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and manslaughter.
Summations are scheduled Friday for 10 a.m., with jury instructions to follow.
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