Tragedy struck at Georgia Southwestern State University when 18-month-old Romeo ‘J.D.’ Angeles was killed in a dorm room while his father was out for pizza. Trinity Pogue, a promising beauty queen and nursing student, now faces a life sentence after being found guilty of felony murder and child cruelty.
On January 14, 2024, a seemingly ordinary day on campus turned horrific. As students engaged in typical college activities, Pogue was alone with J.D. in her dorm room. Hours later, the joyful baby seen in earlier videos would be pronounced dead.
Pogue, an 18-year-old beauty queen, was a high achiever. She won Miss Donaldsonville and was enrolled in a prestigious nursing program. However, her relationship with J.D.’s father, Julian Williams, was fraught with tension. Although she had been around J.D. often, her feelings toward him were complicated.
Julian described Pogue as initially supportive, but he later recalled troubling signs. In November, J.D. had a bruise on his face after being left alone with her. Pogue’s desire for a child of her own and her resentment toward J.D. intensified their challenges.
The night before the tragedy, Pogue and Julian took J.D. out for food. After returning to her dorm, Julian fell asleep, leaving Pogue to care for J.D. Alone with the fussy baby, she expressed frustration to friends, indicating she felt overwhelmed.
Around 1 a.m., Pogue moved J.D. to her room, claiming he rolled off the mattress. The following day, after a late start, Julian left for pizza, leaving J.D. in Pogue’s care. Moments later, Pogue called Julian in a panic, screaming for help.
Julian rushed back to find J.D. barely conscious. Despite immediate medical attention, the baby showed signs of severe trauma, including a cracked skull and internal injuries. Tragically, J.D. died later that day, prompting an investigation into the circumstances of his injuries.
Pogue initially claimed J.D. had fallen from his chair, but medical experts disagreed, citing evidence of blunt force trauma. A week later, she was charged with multiple serious offenses, including malice murder, which she denied, leading to a trial that began in December 2025.
The jury deliberated quickly, returning with a verdict that acquitted Pogue of malice murder but found her guilty on several other counts, including felony murder and aggravated battery. The judge sentenced her to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years.
This case raises profound questions about the complexities of young relationships, parental responsibilities, and the tragic consequences of unresolved tensions. The loss of J.D. is a heartbreaking reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in precarious situations.
