Army medic charged with rape, murder of daughter back in jail

An Army medic charged with the murder and rape of his infant daughter was returned to jail this week after being formally indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury.

Spc. Christopher Paul Conway, 22, was booked on Tuesday. He's being held without bond on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child and aggravated child abuse in the death of Adaline Conway, 9 months old.

The morning of Nov. 14, Clarksville Police were called to Cindy Jo Court to respond to a CPR in progress, according to previous reports.

On the way there, police were re-routed to Tennova Health Care, where Adaline was pronounced dead. Conway was questioned and later arrested.

Conway's court-appointed attorney, Ed DeWerff, has sought a mental evaluation to determine his competence to stand trail and his mental condition at the time of the incident, according to court records. The court granted that request.

Previous: Police: Army medic admits to raping, killing infant daughter

Included in court documents obtained by The Leaf-Chronicle are 31 glowing letters of praise for Conway attesting to his love for his family and his strong Christian values.

"His character and reputation within the church family, and in the community at large, has always brought honor to his family," wrote Pastor Paul Meredith, his family's pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Grand Bay, Ala.

Meredith said he has on display in his living room a framed cross that Conway crafted from wood.

"I am able to give my wholehearted endorsement of his sound moral and Christian character," Meredith wrote.

Several of those who wrote insisted Conway couldn't be guilty of the crimes he's been charged with, and they maintained that there must be some misunderstanding or mistake.

Police said Conway has admitted to the crimes, and that he said he tied a shoelace around his daughter's neck to prevent her from crying out while he raped her, police said.

Dewerff has called it a “tough case.”

Previous: Police: Medic charged in slaying choked infant to keep her from crying

Previous: Army medic charged with rape/murder of infant daughter returns to post

After having his initial bond reduced, Conway had been out on bond while he awaited grand jury results.

A medic in the 101st Airborne Division, Conway was housed in barracks at Fort Campbell and was guarded by soldiers in his unit on two-hour revolving shifts, according to previous reports.

Conway will have an arraignment on March 5 in Circuit Court, where the charges will be formally presented and he may enter a plea.

Reach Chris Smith at chrissmith@theleafchronicle.com, 931-245-0282 or on Twitter @cssmithwrites.



