Case ‘lacked probable cause’

By Victor Inge

The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma firefighter who was arrested and jailed on $300,000

bond on charges he

injured his infant daughter has been freed after a judge ruled the case “lacked probable cause.”

District Judge Robert Armstrong ruled this week the domestic violence case against Michael Anthony Goings would not be bound over to a grand jury, due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Goings, 29, was arrested Oct. 13 and charged with child abuse and domestic violence assault.

According to police reports, Goings was questioned and arrested for allegedly injuring his infant daughter. Police said the child had “multiple skull fractures.” Family members reported the child had been released from a Birmingham hospital, but was seeing doctors several times a week.

Goings’ attorney Vonda Bonham, declined to comment on her client’s case. District Attorney Michael Jackson said the child’s injuries were still under investigation.

“We have an investigator from the district attorney’s office looking into it,” Jackson said. “Obviously, somebody injured this baby. When we find out, the person or persons will be prosecuted.”

The investigation centered around Goings, who authorities said had a history of domestic violence. Police were called to a Kings Bend Road address in December 2005, when Goings allegedly choked a female companion. In 2000 he also pled guilty to domestic violence charges surrounding the suspicious injuries of an older daughter, who was an infant at the time, police said.