A Greenville County jury says Food Network celebrity Ariel Robinson is guilty of homicide by child abuse. The case went to the jury following emotional testimony from the Simpsonville woman and contentious closing arguments by prosecution and defense.
The jury found her guilty of causing the death of her three year old foster daughter who died in the hospital days after being found unresponsive in the couple's Simpsonville-area home in January of 2021. Greenville Couty prosecutor Christy Sustakovich told jurors the evidence against Robinson was "overwhelming."
On the stand in her own defense Robinson insisted she had never intentionally injured Tori Smith, instead saying again that the toddler's seven year old foster brother had attacked and beaten her at times. She also implicated her husband, telling the court he has "scary anger issues."
In closing arguments her lawyer, William Bouton, said Austin Robinson had "cut a deal" to testify against his wife in order to plead guilty to an accessory charge, saying he was gambling a ten to twenty year sentence against the possibiity of life in prison.
Referring to photos, video and witness testimony, the prosecutor pointed to Ariel Robinson and told the jury, "the only person you’ve seen being cruel to Tori is this defendant.” She'll be sentenced later. Her husband also faces sentencing on a charge of aiding and abetting child abuse homicide.
