(UPDATE Sept. 22) The Kern County Coroner determined that the cause of death of 8-year-old Ger'mya Amirah Alexander was multiple blunt force traumatic injuries, on top of other causes.
The coroner report lists Alexander's cause of death as multiple blunt force traumatic injuries, hypoxic respiratory failure due to combined effects of acute bronchopneumonia, and sickle cell trait. Ultimately the coroner ruled Alexander's death a homicide.
On March 18, officers were called out to an apartment on San Dimas Street after receiving a report of an 8-year-old girl not breathing. Officers found Alexander who was taken to the hospital where she died from her injuries.
Clint Mason, the man accused of killing Alexander, allegedly admitted to assaulting her with a belt, a metal cane and his hands multiple times over several hours until she was covered with injuries, according to court documents filed with the Kern County Superior Court.
Mason is charged with first-degree murder, torture and willful cruelty to a child. He's due back in court on Oct. 1.
