California

Convicted Child Abuser Faces Murder Charge in Death of Girl Found in Duffel Bag

The girl was found in a duffel bag along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights.

A convicted child abuser faces a murder charge in the death of a girl whose body was found in a duffel bag on a trail east of Los Angeles.

Emiel Lamar Hunt, 38, was charged with one count of murder in the death of Trinity Love Jones, 9, prosecutors said. He's believed to be the boyfriend of the girl's mother.

Authorities arrested Hunt on Saturday while he slept in his vehicle in a parking lot near San Diego International Airport, officials said.

He appeared in a Pomona courtroom on Tuesday for an arraignment but did not enter a plea. During the hearing, someone yelled, "You'll get yours." Hunt was expected to appear again in court on April 16.

Trinity's body was found by county workers clearing brush along an equestrian trail in Hacienda Heights on March 5. Her body was partially stuffed inside a duffel bag. She was publicly identified over the weekend, but officials hadn't said how she died.

Two people were detained in the killing, but officials only released information about Hunt. Information about the second person was not released, pending further investigation, officials said.

Hunt was convicted of child abuse in San Diego County in 2005, officials said.

Family members and strangers have been placing flowers at a growing memorial near the site where Trinity was found Tuesday.

Trinity's father Antonio Jones said his daughter was "full of character, full of life, full of joy."

Family members have stepped forward on Tuesday.

"She was trapped with a monster nobody knew," said the girl's uncle, who identified himself with only his first name.

He said he does not think his sister, Trinity's mother, knew of Hunt's prior conviction and prison sentence for child abuse.

Barbara Jones, Trinity's grandmother, reacted to a reporter's question outside court: "How did I feel? Engraged."

Trinity's mother, identified by family as Taquesta Graham, was not among family at the courthouse. She has not been charged in the case.

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