Dial gets 20 years in prison

A man who was convicted earlier this year of manslaughter in the death of a 2-year-old child in 2017 has been sentenced to prison.

Circuit Judge Marvin Wiggins issued a 20-year prison sentence to Tristan Dial, who was convicted March 15 in the case of the death of toddler Arkhi Matthews, 2. The incident occurred Aug. 14, 2018, but the suspect was not arrested until Aug. 3, 2018.

District Attorney Robert Turner Jr. said he is glad that the family can find some closure with the sentencing.

“We were happy with the sentencing and that the family can get some closure with this case,” Turner said.

Assistant district attorneys Shamika Dudley and Bryan Jones tried the case with Turner.

Then-Selma Police Chief Spencer Collier told the Selma Times-Journal that the incident occurred at 1201 Woodrow Avenue at Selma Square Apartments. Dial was watching the 23-month-old baby that day. When the mother, Almetric Matthews, returned home, the child was unresponsive. She took the child to Vaughan Regional Medical Center, but the child died in the emergency room.

Turner said Dial is facing other pending court cases related to charges that occurred after this incident, but he could not comment on those cases as they are still pending as of Friday.

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