Father charged with murder in son’s death expected to testify at trial

BRAMPTON, Ont. – A man charged with murder in connection with the death of his 10-year-old son is expected to defend himself when he testifies at his trial today.

Garfield Boothe and his wife Nichelle Boothe-Rowe are both charged with second-degree murder in Shakeil Boothe’s death.

Earlier testimony by Boothe-Rowe painted her husband as a controlling patriarch who beat his wife and eldest son into submission.

Boothe-Rowe told the court she knew Shakeil was being beaten and chained up by his father, but didn’t tell authorities because she was afraid for her own safety and that of their infant son.

Shakeil was found dead in his bed on May 27, 2011, but Boothe-Rowe testified she discovered his lifeless body in the basement the previous day.

The court has heard autopsy results showed heavy blows shortly before the boy’s death caused widespread internal bleeding that overwhelmed his body, already weakened by malnutrition and severe infection.