Text messages between suspect and wife revealed in trial

Seven more witnesses testified Wednesday in day two of the trial against a Pocomoke City man accused of killing his 3-year-old nephew.

Kevin Sewell, 28, was arrested in May 2015 after authorities say the child was left in the care of Sewell. The child reportedly received multiple injuries and died days later at a Virginia hospital.

Sewell’s wife, Amanda Sewell, was one of the witnesses who testified Wednesday. In terms of the evidence, prosecutors came prepared to use Kevin Sewell’s own words against him.

Text messages between the couple were read aloud by Worcester County State’s Attorney Beau Oglesby in court on Wednesday in conjunction with Amanda Sewell’s testimony.  

Amanda Sewell told jurors she left the child home with her husband when she went off to work.

During the testimony, it was revealed that Kevin Sewell allegedly texted his wife describing the afternoon as “a day from hell” after he added the child “doesn’t listen worth [expletive]”. 

Later that afternoon in another exchange, prosecutors say Kevin texted “I didn’t even bite him that hard. Apparently, he bruises easily.”

Dr. Wendy Gunther, the medical examiner who performed the child’s autopsy, testified in day one of the trial that the child did suffer from what she believed to be bite marks. Other graphic details of the injuries included a swelling of the brain and multiple other bruises on the face and body.

During cross examination Wednesday, the defense argued Amanda Sewell noticed bruises on the child’s body one night prior to his hospitalization and did alert his mother. 

Another witness who testified in court Wednesday was a forensic scientist with the Maryland State Police.

According to the witness, the child’s DNA was found in the “left fingernail swab” samples taken from the suspect.

The defense questioned whether it was possible for a person’s DNA to appear on another person if they spent 24 hours in a home together, to which the expert witness testified ‘yes’.

According to the Worcester State’s Attorney’s Office, Amanda Sewell is also facing charges for the death of her nephew: 1st degree child abuse and neglect of a minor.

She is expected in court in November.

As for her husband, Kevin Sewell is back in court Wednesday for the final day of his trial. He faces four charges: 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree child abuse and neglect of a minor.

The trial resumes Wednesday at 9:30 with closing arguments.