CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A Fort Campbell soldier who has been accused of raping and murdering his 9-month-old daughter in November of 2017 is back in the Montgomery County Jail with an increased bond of $1 million.
22-year-old Christopher Paul Conway previously posted bond on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 after his bond had been reduced to $250,000 from $500,000. He then returned to the custody of Fort Campbell. According to court records, Conway’s bond at the time was cosigned by five individuals, including his family’s pastor, all who reside in Conway’s hometown of Grand Bay, Alabama.
Court documents show that in addition to charges of aggravated child rape and homicide, Conway has now been charged with aggravated child abuse and first degree murder in perpetration of a crime.
Online records indicate Conway was booked into the Montgomery County Jail Feb. 27, 2018 and has not been released.
Fort Campbell spokesman LTC Martin O’Donnell confirmed that Conway is no longer in the custody of Montgomery County.
Conway’s attorney filed a motion for a mental health evaluation for Conway on Dec. 18, 2017. The motion says the purpose of the evaluation is to determine Conway’s competence to stand trial and his mental condition at the time of the alleged offense.
Court documents also show that in total, 31 letters defending Conway’s character have been submitted to the court. The letters are from pastors, friends, former coworkers, and some family members.
An arraignment is set for March 5, 2018.
Conway’s original arrest warrant states that he admitted to the rape and murder of his child, but he has not yet gone to trial or pleaded guilty to the charges.
During the original investigation of the case, the special operations homicide unit detectives determined the nine-month-old female infant had been sexually assaulted and that a cord was wrapped around her neck, causing her death.