HOUSTON, TX – The capital murder trial of DeAndre Flanagan opened with a harrowing day of emotional testimony, as the courtroom grappled with the tragic events surrounding the death of two-year-old Zendaya Flanagan. Prosecutors allege that Flanagan killed his daughter during a police chase, an act witnessed by the child’s mother, Kirsten Watson, via a FaceTime call.
Inside the Harris County Family Law Center, the trial commenced with opening statements that set the stage for a week expected to be filled with intense scrutiny and emotion. While cameras were only permitted to capture brief moments of the proceedings, those present in the courtroom witnessed firsthand the gravity of the case.
The incident dates back to March 20, 2023, when tensions between Flanagan and Watson reached a boiling point. Prosecutors argue that Flanagan, suspecting Watson of infidelity, pulled their daughter from daycare and confronted Watson at her workplace. He then allegedly took her phone and fled with Zendaya, leading to a police pursuit.
Law enforcement tracked Flanagan using Watson’s phone, culminating in a high-speed chase that ended with his arrest. Tragically, Zendaya was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The prosecution presented compelling evidence, including a video from a deputy’s squad car showing Watson on a FaceTime call, desperately pleading with Flanagan to stop harming their daughter.
The jury was shown chilling screenshots from the FaceTime call, capturing Watson’s anguish as she reportedly cried out, “He’s killed her, he’s killing her.” Prosecutors contend that Flanagan assaulted Zendaya with a blunt object and strangled her, leading to her death.
Testimonies from law enforcement officers, Zendaya’s grandmother, and the trauma surgeon who examined the child added weight to the prosecution’s case. Each witness recounted the tragic details of that day, painting a grim picture of the events that unfolded.
As the trial continues, the community is left grappling with the heart-wrenching details of a case that has captured widespread attention. The proceedings are expected to last about a week, with the search for justice for Zendaya Flanagan at the forefront of everyone’s minds.