The authorized case within the merciless killing of a 7-year-old Bronx woman formally ended Friday — however there was no closure for her heartbroken grandmother because the sufferer’s half-brother, who was charged with killing her, walked free.
Sexual abuse, assault and homicide fees towards Paul Wonderful Jr. within the 2021 killing of Julissia Batties have been dropped on Friday after his mom took full duty for the crime, a choice the slain woman’s paternal grandmother mentioned was “not honest.”
“I’m numb, I’m actually numb to the entire scenario,” Julissia’s heartbroken grandmother, Yolanda Davis, advised The Put up. “It’s actually, actually unhappy.”
“I’m not completely happy that he’s out.”
Davis mentioned Wonderful ought to have remained behind bars even when only for mendacity beneath oath and that his and Julissia’s mom, Navasia Jones, 35, ought to have gotten life with out parole.
As an alternative, she was handed a 15-year-sentence for manslaughter.
“He mentioned he did it … however now what? Solely God is aware of,” she mentioned, including, “I’m very indignant. It actually has me choked up.”
“I’m simply harm that my granddaughter is gone and I can’t get her again,” she mentioned.
Police found Julissia’s battered physique in Jones’ residence on the New York Metropolis Housing Authority’s Mitchel Homes on Aug. 10, 2021.
Jones and Wonderful, 20, have been arrested in 2022 and he allegedly admitted to sexually abusing his half-sister and punching her eight occasions within the face the morning she died.
He has since retracted his statements and this week, Jones, who took a plea take care of the Bronx District Legal professional’s Workplace, mentioned she alone assaulted Julissia and prompted her demise, officers mentioned.
Wonderful’s legal professionals declare he falsely copped to collaborating within the killing to “defend” his mother.
Jones’ lawyer beforehand indicated that the proof within the case “may have introduced an issue” for prosecutors if the case ever went to trial. A police supply mentioned who precisely delivered the deadly blow “will not be clear.”
Julissia’s grieving father, Julius Batties, advised The Put up this week that he additionally doesn’t assume Jones’ 15-year sentence is lengthy sufficient.
“It does make me indignant as a result of she’s getting away with homicide and he or she’s getting her son again. I don’t get my daughter again,” Batties mentioned.
Wonderful was seen exterior the courthouse Friday, smiling and sporting a brilliant orange coat and Air Jordan sneakers, after Bronx Supreme Courtroom Justice Joseph McCormack dismissed the fees towards him.
His legal professionals praised the decide’s ruling.
“We’re extraordinarily happy that Paul has gotten his life again,” they mentioned in an announcement offered by Calvin Scholar, who was in courtroom instead of Wonderful’s lawyer, Deveraux Cannick.
“Paul loves his household in a misguided manner,” their assertion continued. “He tried to guard his mom by taking duty for conduct that he didn’t commit.”
Wonderful’s attorneys added that he misses his sister and “tried to be her protector.”
“We’re equally happy that the District Legal professional had an open thoughts and was prepared to hear,” they added.
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