HAMPTON, Va. — The mother of Codi Bigsby, a boy from Hampton who was reported missing over two years ago, provided testimony in the murder trial against Codi's father, Cory Bigsby.
Codi Bigsby's mother testifies
Dina Kareem, Codi's mother, was the first witness to take the stand at the trial. Kareem said she has four kids with Cory Bigsby, who stands accused of murdering their son Codi.
Kareem made the following claims on the stand:
- She had been in a relationship with Cory Bigsby for four years, and although they were engaged at one point, they were never married. After she ended their relationship in 2019, she moved to Washington D.C.
- She was hospitalized in 2020. She then decided to let Bigsby have the kids and wanted to co-parent. She met Bigsby halfway between D.C. and Hampton on Nov. 1, 2020, with their four kids.
- She was never given Bigsby's address, and he was often unreachable.
- An email she received from Bigsby in April of 2021 said the following, in part: "[Codi] is still doing the same stuff... He needs to come back to you... I do not want to seriously hurt him to protect my babies." Bigsby also said Codi needed to see a psychiatrist. Kareem said she did not believe the claims Bigsby was making in the email.
- She had not spoken to Codi since April of 2021. In the last email she sent Cory on Jan. 15, 2022, she asked him, "Where are my kids? Are they alive?"
The defense essentially tried painting a picture that Kareem was not a good mother because she didn't see the kids for about 14 months.
When Bigsby's defense attorney Curtis Brown questioned Kareem, he claimed she wasn't in touch with the four kids often. He also asked about whether she had sent clothing or money for the kids over the course of about 14 months. She responded that she sent him $150 that he requested.
When Brown asked if she had reached out to any of Bigsby's relatives to get a hold of him, she said she didn't because she didn't have their contact information, and they were not cordial.
Brown also showed Kareem a photo of Codi taken while he was in Bigsby's care, and asked if he looked like he was in any kind of distress.
"Yes," she tearfully responded. "He looks sad... I'm used to seeing him joyful, smiling. He looks frightened."
Codi's 7-year-old brother is also expected to testify on Thursday, but not in the courtroom.
News
Judge will allow use of Cory Bigsby's confessions about his missing son
Jury selection
The third day of Bigsby's trial was a busy one. The jury tasked with determining if he is guilty of killing his son Codi was finalized. Of the 14 jurors - which includes two alternates - there are 10 women and four men.
Brown argued before the judge to get more Black jurors on the panel. When asked why, Brown said, "Black folks are more sympathetic." Out of the 14 jurors, nine are white, four are Black and one is Hispanic.
Opening statements
Attorneys also gave their opening statements Wednesday. During the prosecution's opening remarks, attorney Dylan Arnold called Cory Bigsby a predator. He told the jury throughout the trial, they'd hear Bigsby "weave a web of lies."
Arnold accused Bigsby of killing Codi, claiming, "After [Cory] realized what he had done and after, he put his body in bed with his older brother." Arnold continued to say, "Evidence shows Codi was dead for months before being reported missing."
Defense attorney Kenneth Singleton claimed Bigsby did not kill his son Codi.
He claimed Codi woke up in the middle of the night and wanted to go out and play in the snow, but Bigsby told him to go back to bed. In the morning, Bigsby couldn’t find his son, and frantically called 911, Singleton claimed.
The defense also claimed that the jury will hear "no evidence of a murder."
Body camera footage
The jury also heard from several police officers, including K-9 handlers, who responded to the Bigsby house the day Codi was reported missing.
The jury was shown body camera video - which can be viewed in the video below - from when one of the officers first talked with Bigsby and searched the home.
Who is Codi Bigsby?
The opening statements set the tone for the trial of a case that's garnered widespread attention in the community.
Codi was 4 years old when he was reported missing in January 2022. Since then, there's been no trace of him, but law enforcement believes he's dead.
Over a year later in June 2023, Cory Bigsby was charged with murdering Codi.
He's also facing child abuse and neglect charges that are unrelated to Codi's disappearance.
Since Codi was reported missing, the community organized search parties, decorated a fence in his honor and rallied to fight for answers.
We have a crew covering Cory Bigsby's trial all week. Stay with News 3 for updates.
Disappearance of Codi Bigsby
