By April Amadon<br><a href="mailto:april.amadon@lockportjournal.com">E-mail April</a>
A city man charged in connection with the death of his 13-month-old daughter appeared Monday in Niagara County Court.
Nicholas Doxey, 23, appeared briefly with his attorney, Earl Key, in front of Judge Matthew Murphy.
Doxey is charged with criminally negligent homicide, a felony. He was indicted in June after a 15-month investigation into the death of Sierra Doxey, who was pronounced dead March 4, 2008.
Emergency crews were called to the Garden Street apartment of Sierra’s mother, Sara E. Nigro, 23, that afternoon for a report of a medical emergency involving a child. They reportedly found Sierra was not breathing.
The child was transported to Eastern Niagara Hospital-Lockport, where she was pronounced dead.
Police have determined Sierra died of “acute opiate poisoning” and had high levels of morphine in her system.
Key has said Sierra’s parents believed the child died of pneumonia.
Nigro is also charged with criminally negligent homicide.
During Monday’s appearance, Key and Assistant District Attorney Claudette Caldwell told Murphy they will each file motions related to the case within the next two weeks.
A trial date for both Nigro and Doxey is set for Oct. 5.
Both will appear again in court Sept. 2.
Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.
