An Alabama woman, aged 55, has been sentenced to a 20-year term in a state correctional facility for the brutal murder of her 4-year-old nephew. Yolanda Denise Coale was found guilty of beating the young boy, King Lyons, to death with a broomstick and attempting to implicate his 9-year-old sister in the crime. The sentencing was confirmed by Mobile County Circuit Judge Brandy Hambright.
Coale had initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter in December, just days before her trial was set to commence. This plea deal was reached in a last-minute negotiation with the prosecution. The victim’s sister, who had initially been charged alongside Coale, was later exonerated as prosecutors discovered she had no involvement in the fatal assault.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented evidence that Coale had subjected King, his sister, and at least one other child to repeated broomstick attacks. Testimonies from other neighborhood children revealed that King and his sister were forced to address Coale as “master”. Mobile County Assistant District Attorney Coy Morgan urged the court to impose the maximum sentence of 20 years, stating that Coale’s actions were among the worst he had encountered in his career.
The plea deal was designed to prevent the victim’s sister from reliving the traumatic events during a trial, according to Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood. He described the situation as horrific and expressed satisfaction that Coale was being held accountable for her actions. He added that the 20-year sentence would likely encompass the remainder of Coale’s life.
Coale’s defense attorney argued that his client had accepted responsibility for King’s death as she was his caregiver. However, he maintained that the fatal injuries were inflicted by the boy’s older sister. This claim was dismissed by Morgan, who found it implausible that a 9-year-old could have inflicted such wounds.
Coale, who had been out on bond awaiting her sentencing, was taken into custody immediately after the hearing. She expressed remorse for her actions, stating that she had spent many sleepless nights reflecting on the incident. Coale will begin her sentence immediately, with credit for time already served.