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Jury Returns Second Guilty Verdict for Baby Grace’s Killers

A Galveston jury has returned the second guilty verdict in connection with the death of Riley Ann Sawyer, nicknamed Baby Grace until she was identified by authorities.

Royce Clyde Zeigler II, was convicted of capital murder on Friday.  The jury deliberated 4-1/2 hours after an eight day trial.  Zeigler will receive an automatic life sentence without parole because the prosecution did not seek the death penalty.  Jurors could have found him guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

“The two people responsible for her murder have been convicted,” Galveston County District Attorney Kurt Sistrunk said.  “It’s a good day for Riley.”

Kimberly Trenor, Riley’s mother, was convicted of capital murder in February.  She is currently serving a life sentence.

According to testimony in the case, in July, 2007, Royce Zeigler became upset that the 2-year-old didn’t use “please” and thank you” like he wanted.  On what became the last day of her life, Trenor and Zeigler beat her with belts, dunked her head in cold bath water, and then threw her onto a tile floor.  An autopsy revealed that Riley died of multiple skull fractures.

The couple then stuffed her body in a plastic box which was hidden for months in a storage shed.  Then finally they drove approximately 75 miles to Galveston Bay and dumped the box in October, 2007.

After the verdict was read, Lt. Tommy Hansen of the Galveston County Sheriff’s Department, took off his glasses and wiped away tears after the verdict was read.

Zeigler lied repeatedly to investigators and gave conflicting statements.  The prosecution was allowed to show the jury a video in which Zeigler admitted dumping the child’s body.

         

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Jury Selection Begins for Second Baby Grace Trial

The jury selection process began Wednesday, October 14, in the second capital murder trial in the death of 2-year old Riley Ann Sawyers, the little girl known as Baby Grace until her body was identified.

Approximately 1,200 prospective jury pool members appeared at the Galveston County Courthouse to begin the selection process.

The trial is scheduled to begin October 27 with final jury selection at that time.  The death penalty is not being sought by the prosecution in this trial for Riley’s stepfather, Royce Clyde Zeigler II, 22, of Spring.  Judge David Garner of the Galveston County District Court has been concerned that it might be difficult to find an unbiased jury pool because of the publicity the case has received.

The first capital murder trial in Riley’s death was held in February.  Riley’s mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor, 21, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.  The first trial revealed that Trenor disciplined Riley by hurling her onto the floor and then holding her under water.  Riley died of head injuries, and then Trenor and Zeigler reportedly put the child’s body in plastic bags and placed it in a storage shed for more than a month.  The body was placed in a box, tossed off the Galveston Island railroad bridge and later discovered by a fisherman on an island.

Judge Garner has asked the 1,200 new prospective jury pool members to report for the next three days.  Each day the prejudiced jurors will be eliminated until 125 jury pool members are remaining.  An additional prospective jury pool of 2,400 is available should the Court have difficulty in selecting the 125 jury pool.  The final jury selection will take place on October 27 when twelve jurors and several alternate jurors will be chosen from the pool.