Manassas Journal Messenger | Man admits killing 1-year-old

James Maynard Trainor admitted in court that he killed his apparent girlfriend’s daughter when he shook her Dec. 27.

Alexus Olivia Bellamy was almost 1 year old when she died from complications related to the injuries suffered when she was attacked.

Trainor, 20, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Prince William County Circuit Court to felony homicide. He was originally charged with felony murder and felony child abuse.

Chandra Wine-Bellamy, Alexus’ mother, said she did not attend the plea because she didn’t know about it; she was never contacted about the proceeding, and was informed of its outcome by the Potomac News and Manassas Journal Messenger. She refused to comment on Trainor’s admission, referring to him only as “the caretaker.”

“I did the best I could,” Wine-Bellamy said of raising her daughter. She refused to say anything else, except that she misses Alexus.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Paul B. Ebert would not comment on whether he plans to charge Wine-Bellamy, or whether Trainor will be called as a witness in the event.

Trainor called police from his home at 8580 Cold Harbor Loop in Prince William County near Manassas Park on Dec. 27 and told them that Alexus fell down four steps while he was in the bathroom.

Trainor said he picked Alexus up and shook her to wake her, according to a January affidavit. Alexus had injuries inconsistent with a fall down the stairs, doctors told investigators. There were bruises in many places on the girl’s body, including her head, the autopsy report indicates. She also had bite marks, which Trainor admitted to making, court records indicate.

Prosecutors have recommended Trainor serve a 40-year prison sentence, with 24 years suspended and 20 years of probation. If the judge accepts Ebert’s sentencing recommendation, Trainor will serve 16 years in prison. Ebert’s recommendation is one-year over the middle of the sentencing guidelines.

Alexus’ father Domingo Bellamy filed a lawsuit against Trainor in May seeking $100,000 for compensatory damages and $500,000 for punitive damages.

Trainor is due back in court Sept. 25.

Defense attorney Carroll A. Weimer Jr., who represented Trainor, could not be reached Tuesday afternoon.

Ebert, who has seen hundreds of similar cases in his career, said Trainor is among a group of people who are abusive, but don’t intend to kill. Tragically, Ebert said, their actions sometimes result in the death of an innocent.

“It’s one of the most tragic cases we have to deal with on a regular basis,” Ebert said.