An Oklahoma man charged with kidnapping his son after allegedly murdering his former wife is facing an additional charge, following testimony by his 8-year-old daughter.
A Cleveland County judge says the trial against Chase Ainsworth, 35, will proceed after his daughter testified via video call from a separate courtroom on Wednesday, ABC 5 reports.
The child recounted Ainsworth’s intimidating demeanor and “mean face” as he forced his way to her mother Samantha Ainsworth’s home on July 29, 2023, and forced her into the child’s bedroom.
The girl also recounted trying to get into the room and when she managed to get the door open, she discovered her mother deceased. Oklahoma City police said that the defendant slit Samantha Ainsworth’s throat.
Chase Ainsworth then allegedly took the victim’s phone from his daughter when she attempted to dial 911, according to testimony. The daughter added that she saw her father holding a knife with blood on it.
The 8-year-old testified that Ainsworth escorted her and her brother outdoors, but she managed to flee to a neighbor’s residence.
“My dad killed my mom,” the child told her neighbors.
The defendant drove off with his 5-year-old son in the car, prompting an AMBER Alert. Police found the pair a few days later. The boy was unharmed and police took Ainsworth into custody on kidnapping charges.
“We were able to see that the child was at the window, so we had a team formed to go and get the kid and no one was injured,” Capt. Michelle Henderson told KFOR-TV.
Chase Ainsworth has since tried to get the murder charge reduced to first-degree manslaughter or a “crime of passion,” claiming he never meant to kill Samantha. He also wanted the kidnapping charge dismissed since his son willingly went with him kidnapping charge by asserting that his 5-year-old son willingly accompanied him.
The judge rejected both motions.
Along with kidnapping and first-degree murder, a misdemeanor charge for obstructing an emergency phone call was added, based solely on his daughter’s testimony.
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[Feature Photo: Samantha Ainsworth/Facebook]
