Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Dad faces death penalty for drowning death of 15-month-old son during unsupervised visitation (Manassas, Virginia)

Another one of those cases where the mom fought to restrict the father's access, but lost. And then as soon as Dad had access, the child was murdered.

Dad is identified as JOAQUIN RAMS. 

http://www.wjla.com/articles/2013/07/joaquin-rams-faces-death-penalty-in-son-s-death-90879.html

Joaquin Rams faces death penalty in son's death

July 2, 2013 - 04:13 pm

Prosecutors have decided to seek the death penalty against a Manassas father charged with drowning his 15-month-old son last October.

At the time of his death, Prince McLeod Rams was on a a court-ordered, unsupervised visit with his father. The visitations were fought unsuccessfully by the boy's mother, who worried that the young boy would be in danger.

Prince William Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert said Tuesday he obtained a capital murder indictment against 40-year-old Joaquin Shadow Rams, who had already been facing generic murder charges in the death of his son.

The case is eligible for the death penalty under Virginia law because the victim was under the age of 14.

Court records indicate that Rams had taken out life insurance policies on his son totaling more than $500,000. 

Rams is also under investigation for two other deaths - the 2003 shooting death of his ex-girlfriend, Shawn Mason, and the 2008 death of his mother, Alma Collins, which police initially said was a suicide.