A New Jersey court convicted a father Thursday for murdering his 2-year-old daughter by throwing her into a creek.
Arthur Morgan III tossed Tierra Morgan-Glover into a creek in Shark River Park, Monmouth County, Nov. 22, 2011. She was strapped to her car seat at the time.
Prosecutors stated that 29-year-old Morgan "weighed down her pink car seat with a tire jack," reports the Associated Press. He was found guilty of child endangerment and interference with custody.
There was no sign of remorse after the court convicted Morgan of murder. He smirked after the ruling.
Morgan told the police that Tierra was not dead when he tossed her into the creek. He said he could hear her crying while leaving the scene.
The Monmouth County medical examiner said Tierra died from "homicidal violence, including submersion in water." He said she might have been conscious for at least three minutes after starting to breathe in water and may have stayed alive for around five minutes.
The jury asked the judge whether they could review clips of the video statement made by Morgan to police upon his capture. The video shows an interrogator asking Morgan if he said anything before throwing her into the creek, reports the Examiner.
"I told her I loved her, and I gave her a kiss," Morgan replied. "Did you say a prayer for her?" the detective asked. "Every day," Morgan said. Morgan would most likely be given a life sentence without parole as his actions were deliberate.
Morgan was supposed to return Tierra to her mother after a custodial visit. But he drowned the child as revenge against Tierra's mother, who broke off wedding plans with him
Prosecutors said there was only "one tiny black and purple sneaker sticking out of the water" after the child's body was recovered from the creek.
"We finally got justice for Tierra Morgan-Glover," said Marc LeMieuxm, first assistant Monmouth County prosecutor, reports AP. "God bless her," said county prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni. "I hope she's in a better place."
Sentencing for Morgan is scheduled May 28.
