First Witness Testifies in Dominick Calhoun Murder Case

Argentine Township Officer Angelo Panos testified Thursday he found 4-year-old Dominick Calhoun laying on the floor covered in bruises and moaning.

Officials made opening statements and the first witness was called in the Brandon Hayes trial, reported the Flint Journal Thursday. Hayes, a former Tyrone Township resident, is charged with murder and child abuse in the 2010 death of Dominick, who was found badly beaten in an Argentine Township apartment and later died.

"This defendant kicks Dominick in the head and the chest," Assistant prosecuting attorney Tammy Phillips said, according to the article. "He will explain (in an interview with police) that this is a product of his enraged state."

The trial began in St. Clair County because previous potential jurors In Genesee County had too much knowledge of the case. The Hayes trial will continue Monday in Genesee County, to accommodate witnesses, according to the Livingston Daily Press & Argus. Jurors will be bused in.

Jerry Celmer, St. Clair County Circuit Court administrator, said it's not common for a trial to change venue -- from Port Huron to Genesee County and back -- but added it "just seemed to work in this case, so we're just helping them out,” according to the Times Herald.

The case will return to Port Huron for closing arguments and the verdict.

Mother and former Tyrone Township woman Corrine Baker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in August and agreed to testify against co-defendant Hayes

“The evidence in this case will prove the defendant is guilty of torture and murder and child abuse-related crimes and drug dealing beyond a reasonable doubt,” Phillips said, according to the Livingston Daily Press & Argus article.

Defense attorney James Piazza reserved his opening statement.

Dominick’s grandfather Rick Calhoun told WHMI he has faith that justice will prevail in the trial of the man accused of killing his grandson after a jury was seated in one day.

"Based on what happened and the evidence we really don't have a problem with fast they get what it is because when they hear the story we believe it's going to be in our favor no matter what,” he said, according to WHMI.

Deerfield Township resident Roberta Pechota said she used to live across the street from Corrine Baker’s parents via the Fenton Patch Twitter page.

“Sad, he was a beautiful little boy,” she said.