Coeur d’Alene man convicted of murdering 17-month-old stepson

A jury in Coeur d’Alene convicted Joseph J. Davis of murdering his stepson after five hours of deliberation Friday evening.

They reached a decision around 10 p.m. after a trial that began April 26 and ended Friday afternoon. Davis’ sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled. He faces 10 years to life in prison.

Davis was convicted of murdering his 17-month-old stepson, Maliki Wilburn, who died Aug. 28 from severe injuries to the skull and brain after two days of care at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane.

Police and medics were called to the 800 block of North Fifth Street in Coeur d’Alene two days earlier on Aug. 26 on a report of a child having difficulty breathing and showing signs of head trauma. Davis initially told police he was alone with the baby and didn’t know what happened, speculating it was possible he fell off a piece of furniture.

In the trial, jurors heard from doctors, who said the boy’s injuries did not occur by accident, according to the Coeur d’Alene Press. They also heard from his mother, Dacia Cheyney, who said she didn’t believe Davis’ account of what happened that day.

Davis testified in his own defense Wednesday to deny intentionally hurting Maliki.