WEDNESDAY August 7, 2019 BARTOW COUNTY’S ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER 75 cents Trial underway in 2017 infant homicide case BY JAMES SWIFT Bagley is accused of causing the murder “by failing to provide infant who had fallen into cardiac Public defender Jennifer Block [email protected] death of his infant daughter, On- immediate medical care” for the arrest. The 11-week-old child was gave opening statements on Bag- nah Noel Bagley, in April 2017. injured child while she was in his declared dead at a hospital in At- ley’s behalf. Jurors were selected Mon- According to a bill of indict- care. lanta on April 28. “Jerry Bagley was asked over day afternoon for the trial of a ment, Bagley is accused of killing Cherokee Judicial Circuit As- “You must realize that she can- and over and over again what Cartersville man facing seven his daughter “by accelerating and sistant District Attorney Austin not testify,” Waldo told jurors. happened, and he told the same charges, including one count of decelerating said child in a man- Waldo gave opening statements “She cannot tell you what hap- thing to doctors treating Onnah, malice murder and two counts of ner similar to shaking said child.” for the prosecution. He said the pened to her, but her little body is the family, the [Division of Fami- felony murder, in connection with In addition to the three previously State intended on calling at least going to tell you what happened ly and Children Services] workers the death of a two-and-a-half- mentioned murder charges, he is a dozen witnesses to the stand to her that day … ultimately, the and to investigators,” she said. “His month-old child. also facing one count of cruelty throughout the trial. medical testimony, I expect to statement has never changed … all Prosecution and the defense to children in the fi rst degree, one Emergency responders were show that Onnah Noel Bagley those that know him best will say made their opening statements count of cruelty to children in the dispatched to Bagley’s residence died from abusive head trauma.” that he was a good father and he shortly before 3 p.m. Monday second degree, one count of ag- off Cedar Creek Road on the Bagley was arrested and had really stepped up to be a dad.” Bagley as the trial of 23-year-old Jerry gravated battery-family violence morning of April 24, 2017, to in- charged with his daughter’s mur- Wayne Bagley Jr. got underway. and one count of second degree vestigate a 911 call concerning an der on Feb. 11, 2018. SEE TRIAL, PAGE 3A Nobel laureate Toni PENING AY Morrison dies at 88 O D BY HILLEL ITALIE AP National Writer Nobel laureate Toni Mor- rison, a pioneer and reigning giant of modern literature, who had roots in Cartersville, died Monday at the age 88. Publisher Alfred A. Knopf announced that Morrison died Monday night at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Morrison’s family issued a statement through Knopf say- Morrison ing she died after a brief ill- ness. novel, “The Bluest Eye,” was “Toni Morrison passed away published. By her early 60s, peacefully last night surround- after just six novels, she had ed by family and friends,” the become the first black wom- family announced. “The con- an to receive the Nobel litera- summate writer who treasured ture prize, praised in 1993 by the written word, whether her the Swedish academy for her own, her students or others, she “visionary force” and for her read voraciously and was most delving into “language itself, a at home when writing.” language she wants to liberate” Morrison was the second of from categories of black and four children to George Wof- white. In 2012, Barack Obama ford, who was born in Carters- awarded her a Presidential ville and was a welder, while Medal of Freedom. Morrison’s mother was a do- “Beloved,” ‘’Song of Solo- mestic worker. mon” and other works trans- Morrison was born Chloe formed American letters by Ardelia Wofford in Lorain, dramatizing the pursuit of free- Ohio, a steel town outside of dom within the boundaries. Cleveland. She was an honors “Her writing was not just student in high a school, and beautiful but meaningful — a attended Howard University challenge to our conscience because she dreamed of life and a call to greater empathy,” spent among black intellectu- Obama wrote Tuesday on his RANDY PARKER/THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS als. Facebook page. “She was as Cartersville shortstop Cio Seigler (17) tags out a Rockmart baserunner in a rundown during Tuesday’s season opener at Few authors rose in such good a storyteller, as captivat- the Cartersville Baseball and Softball Complex. Tuesday’s softball game was the fi rst high school sporting event in Bartow rapid, spectacular style. She ing, in person as she was on the County for the 2019-20 school year. was nearly 40 when her first page.” Ceremony celebrates transformation of SCMS into RTMS BY DONNA HARRIS Kevin McBurnett; state Reps. Matthew [email protected] Gambill and Mitchell Scoggins; Stephen Revard and David Stephenson, princi- It’s been a long time coming, but a pals of Cass and Woodland high schools, Bartow County middle school has offi - respectively, where RTMS students will cially gotten a new lease on life. go after middle school; Tia Windsor, the Administrators, teachers, staff mem- last principal of South Central; and the bers, parents and students, along with Rev. Frank Bennett, pastor of Lake Point central offi ce personnel and communi- Church, which meets at the school. ty leaders, gathered for a ribbon-cutting But the stars of the show were the fac- ceremony Monday afternoon at the new- ulty and staff, whom Page recognized ly rebranded Red Top Middle School in for their hard work in getting the school Emerson. ready in time for the new year. The former South Central Middle “The name is wonderful, and this School on Old Alabama Road was re- building and facility is wonderful, but named and given a new mascot — the ALISHA EVANS/SPECIAL the heart and soul, the reason we’re here, Miners — and school colors — red, Red Top Middle Principal Dr. Wes the reason that the students at Red Top white and silver — in May and received Dickey speaks to the crowd gathered Middle School will be successful is this a summer makeover that included new Monday for the ribbon-cutting cere- group right here,” he said. “As superin- interior paint, lighting, signage and desks mony at the newly rebranded school tendent, I appreciate everything you do in Emerson. as well as updating the colors and logos. for us every single day.” ALISHA EVANS/SPECIAL “This has been a tremendous rebrand- School System, a new story that is great Dr. Wes Dickey, the school’s fi rst prin- Cutting the ribbon on the newly rebranded Red Top Middle School are, cen- ing opportunity for us,” Superintendent for the city of Emerson and a great story cipal, said the “puzzle is almost com- ter with scissors, Principal Dr. Wes Dickey, Bartow County Superintendent Dr. Phillip Page told the crowd. “From for Bartow County,” he said. plete.” Dr. Phillip Page and Bartow County School Board Chairman Fred Kittle. the very beginning, we’ve had students A variety of community leaders turned “I’ve referred to this process as a and staff and community members in- out on the sun-baked afternoon for the 1,000-piece puzzle, and it’s been so ec- so it is very exciting,” he said. The principal said the 2019-20 school volved in this process. The idea to do celebration, including all fi ve board static, so exciting, seeing the different There have been naysayers who still year will be “our year of fi rsts.” this came all the way back last August members, Chairman Fred Kittle, Vice pieces coming together as it’s getting don’t understand why the rebranding “‘This is the fi rst-ever Red Top from many of you in our community Chairman Derek Keeney, Anna Sulli- done and getting completed,” he said. was done, Dickey said. blank,’” he said. “We’ll be saying that who talked with me about making this van, Tony Ross and Terry Lee Eggert; But there are still “a few extra pieces “But if they truly have seen and known a lot the entire school year. We’re very happen.” Deputy Superintendent Dr. David Chip- to get done,” namely the gym bleachers the building before the transformation, excited, as a Miner faculty, to be able to The ribbon cutting offi cially marked rany; BCSS department heads; Bartow and marquee out front, “so you’re still and they walk in now, I think they would say that every time we have something the beginning of a new chapter in the County Commissioner Steve Taylor really not seeing the ‘fi nished’ fi nished understand this is a great thing,” he said. starting, that it is going to be a part of the school’s history, according to Page. and County Administrator Peter Olson; product,” he said. “This is a great thing for the students, a fi rst-ever Red Top this and that.” “We are starting a new story, a new Emerson Mayor Al Pallone, Council- “You’re seeing about 99 percent of it great thing for the staff and a great thing story that is great for the Bartow County man Donny Bagwell and City Manager when you go through the building today for the community.” SEE RTMS, PAGE 6A INSIDE TODAY Mostly VOLUME 73, NO.