Boyfriend of Zymere Perkins’ mom pleads not guilty to murder
The boyfriend of tragic Zymere Perkins’ mom pleaded not guilty Tuesday in the child’s broomstick-beating death.
Rysheim Smith, 42, is charged with second-degree murder in the September 2016 death of the 6-year-old.
Over a 15-month period, Smith is accused of repeatedly beating the tot with the broomstick. Smith allegedly beat him with sticks, threw him against a wall, hung him from a clothes hook by his shirt neck and then left him for hours without calling for medical help.
The malnourished child had finger marks on his neck, broken ribs and injuries all over his body from horrific abuse.
Smith is also charged with manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child. The child’s mother, Geraldine Perkins, 26, faces manslaughter charges.