Two defendants, one trial in 2010 death of toddler

CEDAR RAPIDS - A man and his ex-girlfriend accused in the death of his toddler daughter will be tried together, 6th Judicial District Judge Marsha Beckelman ruled Tuesday in Linn County District Court.

Zyriah Schlitter, 24, of Cedar Rapids, wanted a separate trial from Amy Jo Parmer, 27, of Hiawatha, because he believed statements Parmer made could be used against him or implicate him in the alleged crime. Both are charged with first-degree murder and child endangerment resulting in the death of 17-month-old Kamryn Schlitter. She died of head trauma on March 28, 2010.

The state resisted severing the trials. Prosecutors' theory is that both are guilty in the child's death and it's impossible for one of them to have committed the abuse without the other knowing or being involved.

Beckelman found that there is no confession from Parmer naming Schlitter as a participant in the alleged crime.

A competency hearing for a witness in the case is set for 9 a.m. Friday, and the pair's trial is scheduled for May 29.