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Highland Grand Jury to Hear Murder Accusation
Friday, August 24, 2012    
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Matthew Pierson is accused of beating a 5-year-old girl to death

(AP) - A Hillsboro judge has sent to a grand jury the case of a man accused of killing his 5-year-old niece. Hillsboro Municipal Court Judge made the decision Thursday. He also ordered that Matthew Pierson remain held under $500,000 bond.

The body of Jada Beth Williams was found Aug. 12 in a plastic container in the garage of the home where she lived with her uncle and her grandmother. Authorities believe she was beaten with a tool.

Defense attorney J.D. Wagoner argued that the state failed to show that the 18-year-old Pierson had "purposely caused" the girl's death.

The Highland County grand jury will next meet in September and could consider then whether to indict Pierson.