Character witnesses called in "Baby Grace" trial

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The Associated Press Updated 5:17 PM Wednesday, November 4, 2009

GALVESTON, Texas — Friends of the man accused of killing his 2-year-old stepdaughter testified that he was a sweet, caring person.

Neighbor Melanie Allard was called by the defense Wednesday in the Galveston County capital murder trial of Royce Clyde Zeigler II. He's accused of killing Riley Ann Sawyers, whose unidentified body was dubbed "Baby Grace" when found in a plastic container in Galveston Bay.

Zeigler's high school friend, Reed Emerson, told jurors that his friend "had a very good heart and was easy going."

Zeigler's wife and Riley's mother, Kimberly Dawn Trenor, already is serving a life sentence for capital murder in her daughter's death.

Prosecutors say Riley died after a violent discipline session in July 2007. A fisherman found her remains three months later.

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November 04, 2009 10:15 PM EST

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