Jury Reaches Guilty Verdict in Family Tragedy
An Indianapolis man was found guilty of multiple murder charges on Friday for the 2021 shooting deaths of five people, including his family members and a pregnant woman. The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning the verdict against 21-year-old Raymond Childs III, according to the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. Childs was convicted on six counts of murder, attempted murder, and a misdemeanor charge for carrying a handgun without a license.
Trial Follows Mistrial Due to Courtroom Incident
The five-day trial, which concluded with the guilty verdict, came months after a previous trial ended in a mistrial. The initial proceedings were halted when a witness confronted Childs in front of the jury, prompting the judge to end the trial. Despite the setback, prosecutors pressed forward, and a new trial was convened, leading to Childs’ conviction.
Details of the 2021 Attack and Victims
Childs was arrested a day after the brutal attack, which occurred in January 2021 inside his family’s Indianapolis home. The victims were his father, Raymond Childs Jr., 42; stepmother, Kezzie Childs, 42; his 13-year-old sister, Rita Childs; his 18-year-old brother, Elijah Childs; and Elijah’s 19-year-old girlfriend, Kiara Hawkins. Hawkins, who was pregnant, succumbed to her injuries at a hospital along with her unborn child.
Court records reveal that the killings were precipitated by a domestic dispute over Childs staying out late. Prosecutors asserted that Childs, then 17, systematically moved from room to room, shooting the victims. The lone survivor was Childs’ 15-year-old brother, who was shot but managed to escape and alert authorities.
Prosecutor’s Statement on the Verdict
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears reacted to the verdict, stating, “What occurred inside that home is as unfathomable today as it was in 2021.” He emphasized that the verdict provided a measure of justice for the victims of what he described as a “horrific crime.” Mears also commended the trial team, law enforcement, and witnesses for their unwavering dedication in seeking justice despite the challenges faced during the trial.
Sentencing Scheduled for January
Childs is scheduled to be sentenced on January 7. He faces significant prison time, with potential sentences ranging from 40 to 65 years for each murder count, 20 to 40 years for the attempted murder charge, and one to six years for the misdemeanor handgun charge.
