Muniz Does Not Testify In Child Murder Trial
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MCKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) - A high-profile murder trial picked up again on Monday in Collin County, and there is a chance that the jury could soon be handed the case. Melinda Muniz has been accused of killing her ex-fiance's little girl, and she neglected to testify in her defense.
Muniz was arrested by the Plano Police Department just over a year ago. She was engaged to be married to the father of Grace Ford. But, according to investigators, the 2-year-old toddler was killed just hours after the dad broke up with the 26-year-old woman.
An autopsy showed that the toddler was suffocated. The arrest warrant for the case alleged that Muniz staged a robbery in an attempt to cover up what actually took place. Investigators found no evidence to support the robbery story.
Monday marked the beginning of the trial's second week, as prosecutors seek justice in the young girl's murder. Muniz was originally set to take the witness stand in her own defense on Monday, but her defense team said that she changed her mind over the weekend.
The defense rested without calling any witnesses.
If the accused killer had taken the witness stand, it would have been the first time that Muniz talked publicly about the case. She will not face the death penalty, but could spend the rest of her life in prison.
Several of the victim's family members have been inside of the Collin County courtroom throughout the duration of the trial, wearing pink Minnie Mouse ribbons in honor of the toddler.
