Father convicted of murder by abuse in daughter's death
Multnomah Co. District Attorney's Office - 06/05/18
Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that Darian Lee McWoods, 25, was convicted on all counts in connection with the December 17, 2013 death of the his daughter, Kamaya Flores.
Opening statements on this case were presented on May 16, 2018. The jury started deliberations on the afternoon of June 4, 2018. The verdict was read June 5, 2018.
According to evidence presented during trial, Flores, 15 months of age, died of homicidal violence. Additional evidence presented during trial showed that Flores was in the care of her father, the defendant, at the time of her death. An autopsy performed by the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Flores’ cause of death was methadone toxicity. A trace amount of methamphetamine was also detected in Flores’ blood. The autopsy also revealed additional physical findings that were consistent with compression asphyxia.
A child abuse doctor testified during the trial that Flores’ injuries, which included a combination of unilateral broken ribs, petechial hemorrhages across the eyes and mouth, and facial bruising were indications of physical child abuse.
McWoods was indicted on December 9, 2016 and charged with two counts of murder by abuse, three counts of manslaughter in the first degree, and one count each of criminally negligent homicide, criminal mistreatment in the first degree and tampering with a witness.
The jury was unanimous in convicting McWoods on all the homicide allegations and charges associated with Flores’ injuries.
The grand jury also indicted Diamond McWoods, the defendant’s sister, on charges of perjury, tampering with a witness and false swearing related to her prior grand jury testimony regarding the death of Kamaya Flores.
On May 14, 2018, Diamond McWoods pleaded guilty and was convicted of perjury and false swearing. Her sentencing occurred that same day.
This case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Amity Girt and Deputy District Attorney Amanda Nadell. The lead investigator on the case was Portland Police Bureau Detective Michele Michaels.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2018 at 9 a.m. before Judge Christopher J. Marshall.
Members of the media are encouraged to utilize the Oregon eCourt Case Information (OECI) system using case number 16CR78185 for confirm the time and date of the scheduling as all dates are subject to change.
No additional statements will be made prior to the sentencing hearing.
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