ASIA MITCHELL - 21 Months (2009) - Mount Clemons (NE of Detroit) MI

Mount Clemons MI ---- A bond was set today for a 21-year-old
Clinton Township man awaiting a new trial on felony murder charges in
the February 2009 death of his girlfriend's toddler. Macomb
County Circuit Court Judge Peter Maceroni set a $200,000 cash surety
bond for Carlos Raymore. Raymore, who has been jailed for more than
year, previously had no bond. The decision comes weeks after
Macomb County jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the
first-degree murder and child abuse case. Maceroni declared a mistrial
after nearly two full days of jury deliberations.
In his decision, Maceroni cited "reliable news reports" that
reflected the position of jurors in the first trial and the fact that
the date for Raymore's second trial is several months away. After
Raymore's first trial, members of the 12-member panel told The News
that nine believed he was not guilty. One juror wanted to convict him of
a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter, and two were "on the
fence" between the two options. All the jurors agreed Raymore was not
guilty of child abuse, first-degree or second-degree murder. Therese
Tobin, chief trial attorney for the Macomb County Prosecutor's office,
told Maceroni that a plea of second-degree murder and first-degree child
abuse was discussed with Raymore's counsel today. Raymore's
attorney, Randy Rodnick, says his client declined the offer. A
first-degree murder conviction is a mandatory life sentence.
Second-degree murder is an offense that carries a penalty of up to life.
Prosecutors claim Raymore inflicted at least two severe blows to
the head of 21-month-old Asia Mitchell while she was in his care Feb.
20, 2009, and medical experts say the injuries were so severe the
symptoms would have been immediate. Defense argues Asia's death was the
result of an accumulation of injuries suffered over a couple of days. A
second pretrial is set for June 3. Raymore's trial is set for Aug. 24.

A 22-year-old Clinton Township man awaiting a retrial in the 2009
death of his girlfriend's toddler pleaded no contest Thursday to
involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse. Carlos Raymore had been charged with first-degree child abuse and felony murder in the Feb. 20, 2009, death of Asia Mitchell.He was facing a mandatory sentence of life in prison, if convicted. Under the plea, Raymore is facing 3-5 years. A mistrial was declared in April after a Macomb County jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in Raymore's first trial.

Lisa Mitchell sobbed Wednesday as she ticked off milestones her little girl, who last year died of head injuries allegedly suffered at the hands of Mitchell's former boyfriend, won't experience. Carlos Raymore was ordered Wednesday in Macomb County Circuit Court to serve 5-15 years in prison under a plea agreement.
With credit for time served, he could go free in just over three years. "He's shown no remorse," Mitchell told sentencing Judge Peter Maceroni. "I hope he knows he's going to burn in hell." Raymore, 22, had been facing a mandatory sentence of life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder and first-degree child abuse in the February 2009 death of 21-month-old Asia Mitchell. But prosecutors and defense attorneys negotiated the plea -- with a minimum sentencing range of 3-5 years -- after a Macomb County jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict during a trial in May. Raymore pleaded no contest in August to the reduced charges of involuntary manslaughter and second-degree child abuse. Maceroni ordered Raymore to serve 5-15 years on the manslaughter charge. A concurrent term of 2-4 years was imposed for the child abuse offense. He's already served 570 days in Macomb County Jail. Raymore said he was "speaking from the heart" when he told Maceroni that he has "matured" during his 19-month incarceration. "I want to put this matter behind me," he said. "My prayers go out to the Mitchell family." Prosecutors say Raymore inflicted at least two severe blows to Asia's head while she was in his care at the couple's Clinton Township apartment Feb. 20, 2009. Mitchell was at work at the time. Prosecutors said Raymore called Mitchell several times, leaving messages that the baby wasn't breathing. A neighbor called 911 and drove Asia to the hospital. She died several days later. Therese Tobin, chief trial attorney for the Macomb County Prosecutor's office, said Asia's family wanted Raymore to get more time. But they did not want to risk going to trial to try to get that, Tobin said. Jurors seated in Raymore's trial said nine people on the 12-member panel believed he was not guilty. One juror wanted to convict him of involuntary manslaughter, and two could not decide whether to convict or acquit on that charge. All the jurors agreed Raymore was not guilty of child abuse, first-degree or second-degree murder. Raymore's stepfather, Greg Humphries, said the family will continue to support him. "We still stand by our conviction that he didn't do it," Humphries said.