GUILTY CA - Madalyn "Maddie" Slater, 1, murdered, thrown off cliff, Palm Desert, 7 May 2020 *dad arrested*

Well - he was not in the jail site - so goog ----


March 5, 2025
INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - A felon who killed his year-old daughter and stabbed his pregnant wife after turning irate during a child custody exchange in Indian Wells was found guilty of murder and other charges today.
[.....]
Jurors convicted Slater of first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault on a child resulting in great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, child concealing and resisting arrest. Jurors found true a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a kidnapping and sentence- enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon -- a knife -- in the commission of a felony and inflicting great bodily injury, according to John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney's office.

Jurors began deliberating the case Tuesday afternoon.
[.....]
The jury will return to the courtroom March 12 for the penalty phase of the trial, when they will recommend whether Slater should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Slater is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.
 
Wednesday, March 12th:
*Penalty Phase of Trial Begins (@ 9am PT) – CA – *Madalyn (Maddie) Payton Slater (1) (thrown off steep cliff into ravine, May 6, 2020, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley) - *Adam Slater (49/now 53) “father” arrested (5/7/20) , charged (5/8/20), recharged (5/11/20) & arraigned (5/12/20) with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree attempted murder, child custody kidnapping, assault on a child under 8 years old resulting in death, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction, resisting arrest & prior felony conviction. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Held (5/12/20) with no bond. Riverside County
Trial began on 1/24/25 & ended on 3/3/25 with both sides rested their cases. Dark on Fridays.
Jury started deliberations Day 1 (3/4/25) ~3 hours. Day 2 (3/5/25) – no idea!
Slater was found guilty of all charges.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling.

Court hearing from 5/8/20 thru 11/12/24 & Trial Days 1-19 (1/24-1/29/25 & 2/3-3/4/25) reference post #180 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...-desert-7-may-2020-dad-arrested.521060/page-9

3/5/25 Wednesday, Trial Day 20/Verdict Watch (Day 2): Jury deliberations. Slater was found guilty of murder & other charges today. Jurors convicted Slater of first-degree murder, attempted murder, assault on a child resulting in great bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, child concealing & resisting arrest. Jurors found true a special circumstance allegation of killing in the course of a kidnapping & sentence- enhancing allegations of using a deadly weapon-a knife-in the commission of a felony & inflicting great bodily injury. Jurors began deliberating the case Tuesday afternoon. The jury will return to the courtroom 3/12/25 for the penalty phase of the trial, when they will recommend whether Slater should be sentenced to death or life in prison without parole. Slater is being held without bail at the Benoit Detention Center.
 
Not finding any articles (current) re penalty phase...

Thursday, March 13th:
*Penalty Phase of Trial continues (Day 2) (@ 9am PT) – CA – *Madalyn (Maddie) Payton Slater (1) (thrown off steep cliff into ravine, May 6, 2020, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley) - *Adam Slater (49/now 53) “father” arrested (5/7/20) , charged (5/8/20), recharged (5/11/20) & arraigned (5/12/20) with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree attempted murder, child custody kidnapping, assault on a child under 8 years old resulting in death, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction, resisting arrest & prior felony conviction. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Held (5/12/20) with no bond. Riverside County
Trial began on 1/24/25 & ended o 3/3/25 with both sides rested their cases. Dark on Fridays.
Jury started deliberations Day 1 (3/4/25) ~3 hours. Day 2 (3/5/25) – no idea! Found guilty of all charges.
Penalty phase started on 3/12/25.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling.

Court hearing from 5/8/20 thru 11/12/24 & Trial Days 1-20/Verdict Day 2 (1/24-1/29/25 & 2/3-3/5/25) reference post #184 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...desert-7-may-2020-dad-arrested.521060/page-10

3/12/25 Wednesday, Penalty Phase Day 1: No info available yet. Penalty phase continues on Thursday, 3/13/25.
 
Looks like they are "dark" on this Friday.

Next Court Date/ Time Court Name Release Date
03/17/2025 09:00 Indio Larson Justice Center

link: Inmate Information System


and of course - finding NOTHING on the penalty phase of this case.....
 
Penalty phase for Palm Desert man convicted of killing his one-year-old daughter begins

 
Penalty phase for Palm Desert man convicted of killing his one-year-old daughter begins


Thanks for the article! I tried searching on that link for yesterday's stuff -but they don't have it - yet?
 
Monday, March 17th:
*Penalty Phase of Trial continues (Day 3) (@ 9am PT) – CA – *Madalyn (Maddie) Payton Slater (1) (thrown off steep cliff into ravine, May 6, 2020, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley) - *Adam Slater (49/now 53) “father” arrested (5/7/20) , charged (5/8/20), recharged (5/11/20) & arraigned (5/12/20) with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree attempted murder, child custody kidnapping, assault on a child under 8 years old resulting in death, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction, resisting arrest & prior felony conviction. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Held (5/12/20) with no bond. Riverside County
Trial began on 1/24/25 & ended o 3/3/25 with both sides rested their cases. Dark on Fridays.
Jury started deliberations Day 1 (3/4/25) ~3 hours. Day 2 (3/5/25) – no idea! Found guilty of all charges.
Penalty phase started on 3/12/25.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling. Deputy DA Sammi Paixao & defense attorney Lori Myers.

Court hearing from 5/8/20 thru 11/12/24 & Trial Days 1-20/Verdict Day 2 (1/24-1/29/25 & 2/3-3/5/25) reference post #184 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...desert-7-may-2020-dad-arrested.521060/page-10

3/12/25 Wednesday, Penalty Phase Day 1: *Opening statements by Deputy DA Sammi Paixao & defense attorney Lori Myers.
*Two witnesses were called to the stand and gave emotional testimonies, including one of Slater's biological daughters, as well as a law enforcement officer who responded to the scene.
*The prosecution will continue its case on Thursday, 3/13/25 with more witnesses expected to take the stand.
3/13/25 Thursday, Penalty Phase Day 2: State witnesses: No info available yet. Penalty phase continues on Monday, 3/17/25.
 
Guessing this is still on going....

Tuesday, March 18th:
*Penalty Phase of Trial continues (Day 4) (@ 9am PT) – CA – *Madalyn (Maddie) Payton Slater (1) (thrown off steep cliff into ravine, May 6, 2020, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley) - *Adam Slater (49/now 53) “father” arrested (5/7/20) , charged (5/8/20), recharged (5/11/20) & arraigned (5/12/20) with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree attempted murder, child custody kidnapping, assault on a child under 8 years old resulting in death, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction, resisting arrest & prior felony conviction. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Held (5/12/20) with no bond. Riverside County
Trial began on 1/24/25 & ended o 3/3/25 with both sides rested their cases. Dark on Fridays.
Jury started deliberations Day 1 (3/4/25) ~3 hours. Day 2 (3/5/25) – no idea! Found guilty of all charges.
Penalty phase started on 3/12/25.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling. Deputy DA Sammi Paixao & defense attorney Lori Myers.

Court hearing from 5/8/20 thru 11/12/24 & Trial Days 1-20/Verdict Day 2 (1/24-1/29/25 & 2/3-3/5/25) & Penalty Phase Day 1 (3/12/25) reference post #191 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...desert-7-may-2020-dad-arrested.521060/page-10

3/13/25 Thursday, Penalty Phase Day 2: State witnesses: No info available yet. Penalty phase continues on Monday, 3/17/25.
3/17/25 Monday, Penalty Phase Day 3: No info yet. Penalty phase continues on Tuesday, 3/18/25.
 
Yes, the hearing is still on.


03/18/2025 09:00 AM
Jury Trial In-Progress (Penalty Phase)
 
Wednesday, March 19th:
*Penalty Phase of Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9am PT) – CA – *Madalyn (Maddie) Payton Slater (1) (thrown off steep cliff into ravine, May 6, 2020, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley) - *Adam Slater (49/now 53) “father” arrested (5/7/20) , charged (5/8/20), recharged (5/11/20) & arraigned (5/12/20) with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree attempted murder, child custody kidnapping, assault on a child under 8 years old resulting in death, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction, resisting arrest & prior felony conviction. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Held (5/12/20) with no bond. Riverside County
Trial began on 1/24/25 & ended o 3/3/25 with both sides rested their cases. Dark on Fridays.
Jury started deliberations Day 1 (3/4/25) ~3 hours. Day 2 (3/5/25) – no idea! Found guilty of all charges.
Penalty phase started on 3/12/25.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling. Deputy DA Sammi Paixao & defense attorney Lori Myers.

Court hearing from 5/8/20 thru 11/12/24 & Trial Days 1-20/Verdict Day 2 (1/24-1/29/25 & 2/3-3/5/25) & Penalty Phase Day 1 (3/12/25) reference post #191 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...desert-7-may-2020-dad-arrested.521060/page-10

3/13/25 Thursday, Penalty Phase Day 2: State witnesses: No info available yet. Penalty phase continues on Monday, 3/17/25.
3/17/25 Monday, Penalty Phase Day 3: No info yet. Penalty phase continues on Tuesday, 3/18/25
3/18/25 Tuesday, Penalty Phase Day 4: No info yet. Penalty phase continues on Wednesday, 3/19/25.
 
On Tuesday, both sides rested after a week of testimony in the defendant's penalty trial at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling directed jurors to return Wednesday for closing statements.

 
On Tuesday, both sides rested after a week of testimony in the defendant's penalty trial at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling directed jurors to return Wednesday for closing statements.


Thanks for the update! :)
 
Wondering what is happening - jury came back?? Sentencing on 3/24???

Next Court Date/ Time Court Name Release Date
03/24/2025 09:00 Indio Larson Justice Center

link: Inmate Information System
 
On Wednesday, the prosecution and defense completed closing arguments in the penalty trial at the Larson Justice Center in Indio. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling sent jurors behind closed doors in the afternoon, but no decision was reached. The panel is slated to resume deliberations Thursday.

 
Thursday, March 20th:
*Penalty Phase of Trial continues (Day 6)-VERDICT WATCH! (@ 9am PT) – CA – *Madalyn (Maddie) Payton Slater (1) (thrown off steep cliff into ravine, May 6, 2020, Palm Desert, Coachella Valley) - *Adam Slater (49/now 53) “father” arrested (5/7/20) , charged (5/8/20), recharged (5/11/20) & arraigned (5/12/20) with 1st degree murder, 2nd degree murder, 1st degree attempted murder, child custody kidnapping, assault on a child under 8 years old resulting in death, assault with a deadly weapon, obstruction, resisting arrest & prior felony conviction. Plead not guilty. $1M bond. Held (5/12/20) with no bond. Riverside County
Trial began on 1/24/25 & ended o 3/3/25 with both sides rested their cases. Dark on Fridays.
Jury started deliberations Day 1 (3/4/25) ~3 hours. Day 2 (3/5/25) – no idea! Found guilty of all charges.
Penalty phase started on 3/12/25 & ended with both sides resting their cases on 3/18/25.
Jury began deliberations on 3/19/25.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Otis Sterling. Deputy DA Sammi Paixao & defense attorney Lori Myers.

Court hearing from 5/8/20 thru 11/12/24 & Trial Days 1-20/Verdict Day 2 (1/24-1/29/25 & 2/3-3/5/25) & Penalty Phase Day 1 (3/12/25) reference post #191 here:
https://www.websleuths.com/forums/t...desert-7-may-2020-dad-arrested.521060/page-10

3/13/25 Thursday, Penalty Phase Day 2: State witnesses: No info available yet. Penalty phase continues on Monday, 3/17/25.
3/17/25 Monday, Penalty Phase Day 3: No info yet. Penalty phase continues on Tuesday, 3/18/25.
3/18/25 Tuesday, Penalty Phase Day 4: The prosecution and defense rested their cases today in the penalty phase of the trial. Closing arguments start on Wednesday, 3/19/25.

3/19/25 Wednesday, Penalty Phase Day 5: Closing arguments by both sides. Jurors sent out to deliberate whether capital punishment or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge sent jurors behind closed doors in the afternoon, but no decision was reached. The panel is slated to resume deliberations Thursday, Jurors continued to deliberate on Thursday, 3/20/25.
 

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