Braddock Man Continues Testimony In Daughter’s Death

Prosecutors on Friday continued grilling a Braddock man accused in his daughter’s death three years ago.

When prosecutors on Thursday asked William Page, 26, why he didn’t cry when he was told his 23-month-old daughter, Nyia, was dead, Page said he was angry, upset and didn’t know what to think.

Page also said he didn’t know why he didn’t ask authorities how the child died.

Page is on trial in Allegheny County court for the February 2007 death of Nyia.

Her body was found in a wooded area about four blocks from her home. Police said the child was wearing only a sweater and that tiny footprints in the snow suggest the girl walked around before she died. Police said they also found a diaper and a blue blanket in the vicinity.

Earlier Thursday, paramedics were called to the courtroom when an alternate juror took ill. She was excused and the trial continued.

At one point, Page mumbled something unintelligible to prosecutor Mark Tranquilli, prompting Tranquilli to say, “Keep your comments to yourself,” according to Channel 11 News reporter Renee Kaminski.

Last week, jurors heard what police said was Page’s taped confession, in which he said he kicked Nyia and wept as he left her outside.

On Wednesday, Page denied he assaulted or left Nyia outside in the cold to die. He also testified that he fabricated his confession to police three years ago.

Page said he made up his confession because police “said, ‘If you don't tell us what happened, you'll never see your daughter again.’ So I told police I back-handed her, but it was a lie.”

When prosecutors asked Page how he knew so many details about what happened to Nyia if he fabricated his confession to police, Page replied, “I heard some of it on the news.”

William Page - nyia page dad William Page William Page

When prosecutors asked Page how his DNA got on Nyia’s diaper, Page said that it could have happened when he handed the child’s mother a clean diaper.

Prosecution witnesses testified that Nyia died of exposure and that her body was completely frozen.

Earlier Wednesday, a retired forensic pathologist testified that photographs are not reliable and can be distorted when enlarged. He was testifying to contradict a prosecution witness who testified Tuesday that she looked at photographs of Nyia and determined the child had been sexually assaulted.

Prosecutors claim injuries found on Nyia’s body indicated she was molested.

Page has said the injuries were caused by him kicking his daughter, police said.

Jurors were also told by police that Nyia’s blood was found on a Terrible Towel, a child’s T-shirt, women’s underwear and a bed sheet on which Page admitted to sleeping.

Page could face the death penalty if convicted.

Previous Stories: March 16, 2010: Witness: Braddock Toddler Found Dead In Snow Sexually Assaulted March 12, 2010: Photos Of Dead Toddler’s Tiny Footprints Bring Jurors To Tears March 10, 2010: Jurors Hear Mother's Frantic 911 Call In Braddock Toddler Death Trial February 12, 2010: Judge Ruling On Death Penalty In Death Of Braddock Girl May 5, 2008: Trial Delayed For Dad Accused In 2-Year-Old's Death February 9, 2007: Family, Friends Gather To Remember Braddock Toddler February 8, 2007: Father Charged With Braddock Toddler's Death February 6, 2007: Braddock Girl's Death Ruled Homicide February 4, 2007: Missing Braddock Toddler's Body Found

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