Prosecutors lay out timeline, alleged internet searches in trial over Orange County toddler's death
Prosecutors told the jury Xavier Johnson died inside his mother’s Wallkill apartment from blunt force trauma to his head and torso, severe bleeding to his brain and spine and multiple lacerations to his liver.
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Opening statements got underway Friday in the murder trial of Gionni Sellers, the Middletown man accused of fatally beating 3-year-old Xavier Johnson, who died June 2, 2022.
Prosecutors opened their case by reading what they described as disturbing alleged online searches they say Sellers looked up during the final days of the child’s life while he was babysitting and allegedly abusing the boy.
Those searches included phrases such as “why do men want to hurt babies” and “baby breathing heavy after being shook.”
Prosecutors told the jury Xavier died inside his mother’s Wallkill apartment from blunt force trauma to his head and torso, severe bleeding to his brain and spine and multiple lacerations to his liver.
They said Sellers was dating the child’s mother and had moved into the apartment with her and Xavier in March 2022. Prosecutors told jurors Sellers texted a friend around the time of the escalating beatings saying he was unhappy in the relationship, wanted to sleep with other women and complained that being around Xavier was “mad draining.”
Prosecutors also laid out a timeline that began weeks before the child’s death. They said Xavier’s mother first brought the toddler to the doctor in April after noticing markings on his arm. Prosecutors say those injuries were misdiagnosed as a rash caused by a viral illness known as Fifth disease.
According to prosecutors, during the final week of Xavier’s life, Sellers, who was in his early 20s at the time, babysat for several days while the child was home sick with several childhood viruses and unable to attend day care. Prosecutors said those illnesses would not have caused the injuries or led to the child’s death.
Before opening statements began Friday, one juror was brought into the courtroom alone after reporting a mental health breakdown following her selection as juror on Thursday. The woman cried on the stand and told the judge she had been abused as a child. When asked if she could be fair and impartial, she shook her head and said, “I can’t.” The juror was excused, and an alternate was selected to take her place.
RELATED: Jury selection begins in trial of man accused in beating death of 3-year-old Orange County boy
Outside court, Xavier’s aunt, Mariah Wilson, of Middletown, spoke emotionally after hearing the prosecution’s opening statement.
“It was tough. I’m not gonna lie,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of things that even I wasn’t aware of, but what I am aware of is the truth.”
The defense attorney spoke briefly during opening statements, telling jurors the prosecution was telling a “story” and reminding them Sellers maintains the presumption of innocence.
Wilson said she plans to be in court throughout the trial.
“They’re going to have a tough time this week,” she said. “But here I am standing for my nephew Xavier, because that is who matters. His life mattered, and I will always scream justice for Xavier Johnson.”
Sellers is charged with murder with depraved indifference and manslaughter. His attorney declined to comment following court.
Testimony is scheduled to begin Monday morning, and the trial is expected to last through the end of the month.
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Middletown man arraigned in 'savage' beating that killed toddler
