A former Meals Network exhibit contestant took the stand in her very own defense during her trial, and now a jury will establish if she killed her foster baby.
Ariel Robinson, 30, faces homicide by boy or girl abuse for the 2021 demise of her foster boy or girl, 3-year-previous Victoria “Tori” Rose Smith.
Her trial started on Monday and, around the course of the week, prosecutors outlined how she allegedly defeat the toddler to loss of life inside her South Carolina dwelling, FOX Carolina reviews.
But Robinson, who gained Year 20 of the Food stuff Community demonstrate “Worst Cooks In The united states,” denied those allegations when she took the stand in her town defense.
Whilst crying, she claimed that Tori was “a perfect child” and her “mini-me,” and that her partner, 35-12 months-previous Jerry “Austin” Robinson, was lying when he informed the police that she had defeat the toddler. She testified that he, in truth, has “one of the scariest forms of anger problems.”
Her partner has pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting murder by youngster abuse, but at first confronted the exact same fees as his spouse.
Throughout closing arguments, Deputy Solicitor Christy Sustakovich told the jury that the evidence against Ariel Robinson is “overwhelming.”
“The only human being who you’ve noticed becoming cruel to Tori is this defendant,” Sustakovich stated.
In the meantime, Ariel’s legal professional, Bill Bouton, claimed that Jerry Robinson “cut a deal” for a lot less time guiding bars and that he has credibility concerns, according to Fox Carolina. Jerry Robinson faces 10-20 decades behind bars.
Jurors commenced their deliberations on Thursday.
Ariel, a former center college instructor and a area comedian, was the winner of Time 20 the Food items Network’s long-managing “Worst Cooks In America,” which options novice chefs with very poor cooking competencies place by means of a culinary boot camp competitors. As the winner of a $25,000 grand prize, she declared that the income would go in the direction of her family members and a few adopted little ones, nearby outlet WYFF documented.
The Meals Network pulled her season from streaming platforms next the arrest of the pair. Ariel Robinson’s instructing license was suspended by the South Carolina Board of Education and learning soon after her arrest as nicely.