Woman accused in 4-year-old’s death to plead not guilty
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McNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. — Kyrie Kyle appeared in court Monday on a charge of first-degree felony murder in the beating death of 4-year-old Asher Drake Dilworth. “We can’t just let any victim go into the darkness, because as soon as you do, somebody has to be their voice,” said family spokesperson Rickey Dale Alexander. Alexander spoke for Asher’s mother, who was in court for Monday’s hearing. “Today was an opportunity for the defendant to be advised of the charges against her to determine whether she has representation by counsel and for them to enter a plea that is in this case not guilty,” District Attorney Mike Dunavant said. Kyle will be in court in the coming weeks, this time because her attorney said she should not be held in jail without bond. “It’s not a capital case, so we’re going to be filing a motion for her to address the bond issue,” Kyle’s attorney Claiborne Ferguson said to Judge McCraw. Dunavant said the state is also seeking greater punishment for Kyle if she is convicted. “The State of Tennessee did file a notice of intent to seek enhanced punishment for life without parole,” Dunavant said. “We believe there are statutory factors that exist that aggravate the crime that require that enhanced punishment.” Anthony Dilworth, the father of Asher, is also facing charges of aggravated child abuse, but Dunavant said his case has not been acted on by the grand jury because of matters still under investigation. Kyle will go to trial in February.
