Local father Tyler Davitte is expressing outrage after another trial delay in Columbia County for the suspect who allegedly killed his 1-year-old son three years ago in Evans.
Authorities say the boyfriend of victim Lincoln Davitte’s mother is responsible for his death. Former Augusta firefighter Charles Sconyers is accused of causing “significant injury to the head and brain of the victim child,” causing the boy to die, an arrest warrant says.
In an angry Facebook post Monday, Davitte said he was promised a trial would take place last November before it was moved to January and then February.
“NOW IT HAS CHANGED to MAY,” he wrote. “HOW a judge and a justice system can keep changing their mind over murder is far from wrong , WRONG WRONG WRONG. THE VICTIMS ARE ALWAYS THE ONES WAITING.”
Assistant District Attorney Natalie Paine said Monday that she feels the father’s frustration and explained several of the reasons for the delay. One of the attorneys in the case experienced the tragic loss of their child. Also, COVID caused a delay in one of the hearings. The circuit division of Richmond and Columbia counties also added to the delays since the case wasn’t adjudicated by District Attorney Jared Williams.
Judge J. Wade Padgett has set a trial date for May 9 in Columbia County, which should not change, Paine said.
What upsets Davitte more than anything is that the suspect in his son’s killing is walking out free while his son is dead.
“These people just let a murderer /coward people walk around town and able to do all the free things,” Davitte said.
Sconyers told sheriff investigators that he picked up the child from daycare May 1, 2019, and took him to his girlfriend’s home on Edgecliff Lane in Evans. According to earlier media reports, DFCS got a call from “Children’s Hospital” about a “skull fracture” on a child. Sconyers told officials that he let Lincoln play alone outside for a moment before he heard a thump and found the boy lying face down on the concrete with a knot on his head. He tried to wake the toddler by shaking him. He also states he ran down the street holding Lincoln to meet the fire truck.
A DFCS report states “the injuries are not consistent with was reported by Sconyers.”
Sconyers is charged with murder, malice murder, aggravated assault and child cruelty. He has pleaded not guilty.
