The father of the 9-year-old Meridian boy who was beaten to death is now charged with first degree murder and could face the death penalty.
Erik Osuna was arraigned on charges of first degree murder for killing 9-year-old Emrik Osuna "with malice and forethought" in a preliminary hearing in Ada County Fourth District Court Thursday. He faces the possibility of death penalty or life in prison, Judge Karen Vehlow said.
He was originally charged with felony injury to child. Osuna was also charged with felony concealment of evidence.
The complaint against Osuna revealed he allegedly used force and violence against the child, including "repeatedly striking Emrik Osuna in the torso, head, legs and buttox with a hand, frying pans, spoons, and other objects or by kicking Emrik Osuna and or by dragging (him) by his hair and/or causing multiple blunt force injuries by which Emrik Osuna died."
Erik Osuna will return to court Oct. 8 to be arraigned on the updated charge for murder, then both Erik and Monique Desiree Osuna (Erik's wife and Emrik's step-mother) and will have a preliminary hearing on Dec. 9.
