Yolanda Denise Coale: Alabama woman sentenced for beating nephew and blaming his sister for death

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

ALABAMA, UNITED STATES: A 55-year-old woman in Alabama has been sentenced to decades in prison for the brutal killing of her 4-year-old nephew. 

Yolanda Denise Coale was convicted of beating the young boy to death with a broomstick and then trying to shift the blame onto his 9-year-old sister.

In a recent hearing on Thursday, Mobile County Circuit Judge Brandy Hambright handed down the maximum sentence to Coale.

More details emerged during the hearing regarding the death of the nephew and Coale's attempt to accuse the victim's sister of the crime as per Law & Crime.

Evidence has been presented against Yolanda Coale

Previously, Coale admitted guilty to manslaughter in the child's demise in December and was slated to commence her trial just days before striking a last-minute agreement with prosecutors.

Initially, the victim’s sister faced charges in the brutal assault alongside her aunt, but prosecutors later discovered the child played no role in the attack.

During Thursday’s proceedings, prosecutors presented evidence indicating that King, his sister, and at least one other child had been subjected to brutal broomstick assaults by Coale on multiple occasions.

According to Mobile County Assistant District Attorney Coy Morgan, other children in the neighborhood testified that King and his sister were compelled to refer to Coale as "master."

Morgan urged the court to impose a maximum sentence of 20 years on Coale, asserting that her actions ranked among the worst he had encountered in his career.

What did the prosecutor Keith Blackwood claim?

According to reports from Mobile County District Attorney Keith Blackwood, the plea deal was aimed at avoiding a trial and sparing the victim’s sister from reliving the traumatic experiences through courtroom testimony. 

Blackwood stated, “This was certainly a horrific situation for those children. And, you know, we have now held Miss Coale accountable for that. A 20-year sentence, this is going to be most of the rest of her life.”

In contrast, Coale’s defense attorney argued that although his client accepted responsibility for King’s death as his caregiver, he continued to assert that his older sister was the one responsible for causing the fatal injuries. 

Responding to this, Morgan, representing the state, remarked, “The state finds it remarkable that the defense believes a 9-year-old could have inflicted these wounds,”

Given the chance to address the court, Coale reportedly expressed her profound regret, stating that she had spent numerous sleepless nights grappling with the events surrounding King's death and acknowledging that no words could adequately convey her remorse.

Coale, who had been free on bond awaiting sentencing, was immediately taken into custody following the hearing. 

She will commence serving her sentence promptly, with credit for time already served.