CHARLOTTE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Joseph Daniels, who was convicted last year of killing his 5-year-old son Joe Clyde, was denied by a Dickson County judge for a new trial.
In June of 2021, Daniels was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. On Tuesday, his attorney will argue that the conviction should be thrown out, saying there was insufficient evidence to convict.
"The allegation that it’s not sufficient, but that confession was admitted in trial and he admitted to killing his son," Judge David Wolfe said. "Other statements made subsequent to that show culpability on his point. I think reasonable individuals can find sufficient evidence. That confession was corroborated with many key points. My opinion — they all corroborated with testimony. Judging the evidence as a whole the evidence was sufficient for a jury to find unanimous."
Wolfe presided over the trial last year. He said he stood by this ruling.
"He came in voluntarily and made his statement," Wolfe said. "He was advised of his constitutional rights. He never asked to leave, to stop the interview or ask for an attorney.
His attorney Jake Lockert says there were several reversible errors made at the trial last summer. For instance, Lockert says the judge never should have allowed the jury to hear Daniel's confession which he says was coerced.
Prosecutors argued Daniels was properly convicted.
With the denial, it's likely Daniels will then take his case to the Appellate Court.
