Trial date confirmed for ex-Marine charged with second-degree murder
The former Marine charged in the death of his 20-month-old stepdaughter appeared in court Tuesday to reaffirm his court date.
Jared Cardwell is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Celine Matus.
The child was found unresponsive in base housing at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma on May 19, 2015.
Cardwell was arrested days later.
A doctor who performed Matus’ autopsy said she died of blunt force trauma to the head.
The doctor said there also appeared to be chemical burns on her face.
The case was first being handled by the U.S. Marine Corps but was later turned over to the Yuma County Attorney’s Office.
His trial was reaffirmed to be on May 22.
