Testimony to get underway in trial of man charged with murdering 2-year-old

DANVILLE, Ill. (WAND) - Testimony will start Wednesday in the case of a man charged with murdering a 2-year-old child in Vermilion County.

Jury selection in the trial of Dantrail Johnson started Tuesday.

Johnson was previously charged with aggravated battery of a child and bodily harm and released on bond. His charges were later upgraded to murder, intent to kill.

He is accused of causing the death of 2-year-old Cali Marie, a Danville toddler in September 2022.

Danielle Madlock said her granddaughter, Cali Marie, lost her life after being beat into a coma.

"He beat her unconscious. He broke her ribs, lacerated her liver, he lacerated her pancreas, he punctured her lungs, he disconnected her spinal cord, he broke her wrist. He messed her up so bad that she was in a coma. She was in a coma for 30 days," said Madlock.

Testimony will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday.

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