The attorney for the man accused of killing his daughter says the court “ought to dismiss the case.”
Richard
Lyons, 42, was charged Jan. 18 with first-degree murder in the July 2008 death
of his 8-year-old daughter Mya Lyons, and with aggravated criminal sexual abuse
in an unrelated case stemming from an alleged incident last June involving a
15-year-old male.
Prosecutors
said Mya suffered blunt force trauma, suffocation and was stabbed more than 30
times.
Alan
Blumenthal, Lyons’ attorney, told reporters Monday after Lyons’ status hearing
that evidence supports his client’s innocence and a dismissal of the
first-degree murder charge should be granted.
Lyons –– dressed in a yellow jumpsuit and peering in the galley apparently looking for relatives –– has maintained his innocence in both cases and is held without bail on the murder charge and on a $250,000 bond on the sex charge.
Ericka
Barnes, the girl’s mother, in addition to other relatives, dabbed tears and
remained “blown away” after leaving the Cook County Criminal Court on 26th
and California.
The
mother of the 15-year-old Lyons is accused of sexually abusing, told the
Defender she was outraged when her son confided in her about the alleged
incident.
“I was hurt because I’ve known him for so long, about 20 years. I was
just shocked…speechless,” said *Karen Jefferson, who also attended the status
hearing.
Lyons is
expected back in court Feb. 17, at which time Blumenthal said he expects a
dismissal or indictment, he told reporters.
*Name
change requested to respect privacy of the juvenile victim.
Copyright
2011 Chicago Defender
