In a shocking case, Florida prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty for a woman alleged to have commanded her family’s 100-pound rottweiler to assault her boyfriend’s 9-year-old daughter, who was then tragically beaten to death.
Tyshael Elise Martin, 35, faces serious charges including first-degree murder, aggravated manslaughter of a child, and aggravated child abuse following the tragic death of Jamaria Sessions in June, which occurred in Montverde, roughly 25 miles west of Orlando.
Authorities have secured footage from within the residence depicting the brutal assault on the girl, reportedly inflicted by Martin. An autopsy revealed that Jamaria succumbed to blunt force trauma affecting the head, torso, and limbs, along with thermal damage to the right foot. The cause of death has been determined to be a homicide, according to the medical examiner’s findings.
In a significant legal development, state attorneys within Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit have submitted a motion indicating their plans to pursue the death penalty. To implement the death penalty for homicide in the Sunshine State, it is essential for prosecutors to establish beyond a reasonable doubt at least one from a specified set of aggravating circumstances.
On the morning of June 17, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived at a residence in the 16000 block of Harbor Oaks Drive in Montverde. Emergency responders discovered Jamaria unclothed, exhibiting numerous abrasions, small puncture wounds, burns, potential bite marks, and bruises across her body, all showing different stages of healing, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit.
Martin mentioned that the family had plans to catch a flight that morning to California for their vacation. She informed the authorities that she attempted to rouse Jamaria, but found her unresponsive and cold to the touch.
Investigators gathered almost 3,000 recordings from the residence’s interior and exterior, honing in on six specific videos captured just before midnight on June 15. Reports suggest that Jamaria was subjected to a brutal assault by the family dog, a 103lb male rottweiler.
According to the affidavit, Martin was observed gripping the dog’s leash, seemingly urging the animal to attack Jamaria, who was positioned on the ground, just beyond the frame of the camera.
Martin reportedly compels the girl to remain stationary with her arms raised above her head. Jamaria seemed confused and began to sway, prompting Martin to kick her, according to the deputies’ report. A young girl collapsed onto the ground.
Deputies reported that Martin persisted in assaulting Jamaria and uttered a phrase resembling “I’m fixin’ to kill her.”
Investigators discovered that Martin reportedly employed various exercises, such as extended wall sits, running in place with her arms raised, and treadmill workouts, as a method of discipline, according to the affidavit. Martin reportedly engaged in violent behavior towards the girl, including kicking, punching, and pinching her.
LoJuan Sessions, 27, faces charges of aggravated manslaughter in connection with the case involving his daughter, Jamaria. Martin and Sessions remain incarcerated at the Lake County Jail, with no option for bond.