No verdict yet in David Prevatte murder trial; jury deliberations to resume Wednesday
BURGAW, NC (WWAY) — Jury deliberations will continue Wednesday in the trial of a Pender County man accused of killing and sexually assaulting his 5-year-old niece in 2017.
Court adjourned Tuesday without a verdict in the trial of David Prevatte, who faces first-degree murder and first-degree statutory sexual offense charges in connection with the death of Paitin Fields.
Jurors are scheduled to resume deliberations Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. at the Pender County courthouse in Burgaw.
Prevatte appeared in court Tuesday with his public defender, Luther Johnson Britt III, as attorneys delivered closing arguments.
Prosecutors spent the past week presenting testimony and evidence about the circumstances surrounding Fields’ death, including medical findings involving oxygen deprivation and strangulation.
During closing arguments, District Attorney Jason Smith presented demonstrative evidence related to testimony from Fields’ sister, Savannah, who described waking up and seeing Prevatte standing near her sister.
“Savannah saw the defendant standing over Peyton. Saw him wearing blue shorts. We know he’s wearing them. They’re inside the pants that everybody says he slept in that night,” Smith said.
The defense challenged the state’s investigation and physical evidence, questioning why investigators did not collect and test additional items from the bedroom where prosecutors allege the strangulation occurred.
“Why didn’t they seize it? Why wasn’t it tested for blood or other substances that would carry DNA and the sheriff’s department had plenty of opportunities? Two search warrants to search the entire house. Consent searches to search the entire house,” Britt said.
Fields was found unresponsive at a home on Blackwater Road in November 2017. She was taken to the hospital, where she died three days later.
Following closing arguments Tuesday, the judge instructed jurors to consider the evidence and testimony presented throughout the trial.
Jurors must reach a unanimous verdict on each charge, determining whether Prevatte is guilty or not guilty.
Deliberations are set to resume Wednesday morning.
For previous coverage of the case, visit WWAY’s Paitin Fields coverage.
