A local man accused of causing injuries that led to a toddler's death pleaded not guilty to murder Monday at a hearing in Bowie County.
Michael Moore, 25, is facing five to 99 years or life if convicted of first degree felony murder in the Nov. 21, 2015, death of KaDerious King. The 2-year-old initially was thought to have died of choking but an autopsy revealed the cause to be blunt force trauma, according to a probable cause affidavit. The affidavit was used to create the following account. Investigators believe Moore is the only person who had access to the boy when he was injured at the home where he lived with his mother in the 1000 block of Waterall Street in Texarkana, Texas. According to the affidavit, KaDerious suffered, "numerous hemorrhages and contusions on the head and trunk."
He was rushed to an area hospital the night of his death but died despite life saving measures. Moore appeared Monday with First Assistant Public Defender Will Williams for arraignment before 202nd District Judge Leon Pesek Jr. Pesek scheduled Moore to return to court next month for a pretrial hearing.
Moore is being held in the Bowie County jail.