SUMTER COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) – [UPDATE 12/5 AT 5:28 P.M.]: Former Donalsonville pageant queen Trinity Poague was sentenced less than an hour after a guilty verdict was reached.

Poague was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 concurrent years for the murder of her boyfriend’s 18-month-old son, Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angles. She will be eligible for parole after 30 years.

|READ MORE: Child identified in GBI death investigation involving Miss Donalsonville|

[UPDATE 12/5 at 4:39 p.m.]: Former Donalsonville pageant queen Trinity Poague was found guilty on:

• Two counts of felony murder
• Two counts of aggravated battery
• One count of cruelty to children in the first degree

She was found not guilty on malice murder.

[ORIGINAL STORY]: A Sumter County courtroom was full Friday morning, Dec. 5, as closing arguments concluded in the trial of former beauty queen, Trinity Pogue. Poague is accused in the death of her boyfriend’s 18-month-old son, Romeo “Jaxton Dru” Angles. The jury is now deliberating Poague’s fate.

Prosecutors say Poague caused “blunt-force trauma to the head and torso” inside a dorm room at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) in January 2024, resulting in fatal brain and organ injuries. Poague previously told the child’s father that the toddler had fallen off the bed.

|READ MORE: Child identified in GBI death investigation involving Miss Donalsonville|

Around 9 a.m. Friday, Judge W. James Sizemore, Jr. stated no reactions or outbursts would be allowed during closing arguments, and that anyone who causes a disruption could be removed from the courtroom. He also informed the gallery that the doors would be locked during closing arguments, with no in-and-out movement allowed.

Jurors requested breaks, so they will take a short break every hour throughout closing arguments.

Family and supporters for the toddler’s father, Julian “Jay” Williams, filled their side of the courtroom. Family and friends behind Pogue appeared emotional as Friday’s proceedings began.

During initial closing arguments, the state focused on who was present with the child during the brief window when doctors say his fatal injuries occurred.

“That girl killed that little boy. She killed that little boy. She cracked his skull. Out of anger out of malice. We’ll talk about all that later. She killed that little boy. The only person that could have possibly done this in the time frame in which it had to occurred. Don’t let these other things that don’t have anything to do with the answer to that question. Who killed JD Angeles. Don’t let these other things cloud your vision and fog your brain.“

The defense argued jurors must decide whether the state has met its obligation to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt, reminding them it is their duty to hold prosecutors to every element of the charge, and that if any reasonable doubt exists, they cannot convict Poague.

“You cannot discount the possibility that Mr. Williams could’ve been responsible. You cannot discount the possibility that an accident happened to the child while they were showering. You can not the discount the possibility that the fall from a 40-inch bed caused injury to this child. All those are reasonable doubts. You can not come back with a verdict otherwise,” said Tim Gamble, Poague’s defense attorney.

Poague is charged with the following:

• Malice murder
• 2 counts of felony murder
• 2 counts of aggravated battery
• Cruelty to children in the first degree

If convicted, Poague faces a life sentence. After closing arguments, the jury will be charged and deliberations will begin.

WALB will continue to follow developments in the trial.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• ‘That kid was crying a long time’: GSW students react to toddler’s death
• Former Miss Donalsonville facing murder charge in toddler death investigation released on bond
• Former Miss Donalsonville faces 6-count indictment, connected to death of 18-month-old infant
• Former Miss Donalsonville pleads not guilty to murder of 18-month-old boy
• Trial for former Miss Donalsonville accused of killing a child expected this year
• Day 1 in court: Fmr. Miss Donalsonville faces murder trial over toddler’s death
• Child’s father, medical experts testify in Trinity Poague murder trial

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.