Accused child killer: 'Release me'

Fayetteville, N.C. — A man charged with raping and killing a 5-year-old Fayetteville girl has requested his release while awaiting trial.

"Release me. It's easiest," Mario Andrette McNeill said in a hand-written note from Central Prison in Raleigh, where he is being held for his own safety.

McNeill, 30, was arrested in November 2009 on charges he kidnapped, raped and murdered Shaniya Davis. Her body was found in a kudzu patch near the Lee-Harnett county line six days after she disappeared from her Fayetteville home.

An autopsy determined that Shaniya died of asphyxiation and that injuries she suffered were consistent with a sexual assault. A medical examiner noted in the autopsy that investigators believe the girl was used to pay off a drug debt.

Shaniya's mother, Antoinette Nicole Davis, 26, was charged with human trafficking, felony child abuse–prostitution, filing a false police report and obstructing a police investigation. Arrest warrants state that Davis "did knowingly provide Shaniya with the intent that she be held in sexual servitude" and "did permit an act of prostitution with Shaniya."

A grand jury hasn't yet indicted McNeill or Antoinette Davis in the case, and no trial dates can be set until then. The Cumberland County grand jury meets next on June 13.

McNeill addressed his request "To Whom This May Concern" and mailed it to the Cumberland County Clerk of Court.

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Latest Comments

Someone needs to tell him that he no longer have a say. The people of the courts once he gets there will decide his fate called a jury.

wildcat
May 18, 2011 4:32 p.m.

has requested his release while awaiting trial.

No! No! He should remain in jail until his court date. Turning him lose would be a big mistake. Also he could do this to another child and no one would want that. Keep this child abuser/murderer locked up and off the streets.

wildcat
May 18, 2011 4:19 p.m.

wow i cant believe he even has the audacity to ask to be released. After the uncivilized way he murdered a five year old baby. Really! and even his picture has this smurk about it. Not to mention I dont agree with the fact the mother is free and walking around. You got to be kidding me.

shemontay
May 18, 2011 2:33 p.m.

She needs to be locked away with him! I hold her jus as responsible as him! I try to avoid this story bc this REALLY get's me mad. I have a daughther & I know what I would have have done! Forget a judge or juror bc I'd save the taxpayers a lot of money! 518/1415

brwneyez70
May 18, 2011 2:15 p.m.

I think this man SHOULD be released. THEN, let whoever gets hold of him, have a free for all; do whatever they like, as long as they like. Then, give another good citizen an opportunity. Keep on keepin' on! LOL!

Beth