SHERRILL, ONEIDA CO. -- A Sherrill man was formally charged with murder Monday after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend’s young daughter to death last week.
According to the Oneida County District Attorney's Office, 30-year-old David L. Trebilcock of Primo Avenue has been charged with second degree murder in the death of six-year-old Lauren Belius. Do you think this is a fair charge for this alleged crime?
In Sherrill court, a judge issued a mandatory not guilty plea for Trebilcock. Trebilcock then asked the judge for a public defender and also asked for solitary confinment; that will be left up to sheriff's deputies.
The judge will issue an order of protection Tuesday for the Belius family.
Trebilcock was taken back to Oneida County Jail on no bail.
Police say on the morning of July 19 Trebilcock allegedly entered the bedroom of Belius and her twin sister, and stabbed Lauren repeatedly with a nine inch buckingham steak knife with a five inch blade. Screams from the bedroom awoke Lauren’s mother, Alison Belius, who reportedly had to shove aside a dresser blocking the doorway to get into the bedroom and stop the attack.
Lauren Belius was taken to Oneida Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. An autopsy performed last week confirmed the first grader died from multiple stab wounds.
Prosecutors say Trebilcock sustained knife wounds to his wrists and back, some of which were apparently self-inflicted and others which were caused by the mother in an attempt to rescue her child. He had been under police guard at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Utica until Monday afternoon, when he was discharged. Police say he will be arraigned Monday evening.
Calling hours and a private funeral were held for Lauren Belius this past weekend. A Facebook page has been set up in her memory.
