He's Accused of Murdering His 3-Month-Old Daughter. Now He Wants to Marry a Witness for the Prosecution

Shannon Overstreet, who is charged with murder in connection with the disappearance of his daughter, told authorities he wants to marry the prosecution's witness

A West Virginia man charged with murder in connection with the 2021 disappearance of his infant daughter told a court this week that he intends to marry one of the prosecution's witnesses, according to reports, leaving the prosecution concerned that it might render the witness' testimony unusable in court.

Shannon Overstreet pled not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, in court on Tuesday in Cabell County, W. Va. in connection with the disappearance and presumed death of his 3-month-old daughter, Angel Overstreet, The Herald-Dispatch, WCHS and 13 News reported.

During the arraignment, the prosecution claimed that police have learned through intercepted prison phone calls that Shannon is planning to marry a witness, according to WCHS. He is currently serving time for an unrelated case.

“I’m not saying it’s his intention to cut her off from us as a witness, but that would be the practical effect of it," Philip Morrison, the executive director of the Prosecuting Attorneys Institute, said at the hearing, WCHS reported.

Soon after Angel was reported missing in 2021, Shannon — who had been the last known person to see her — was arrested on unrelated charges, PEOPLE reported at the time. 

Related: West Virginia Baby Has Been Missing Since May and Police Are 'Very Concerned,' as Dad Sits in Jail 

Huntington Police in West Virginia said Child Protective Services called authorities on May 24, 2021 to report that they could not locate the infant. In December, Shannon was indicted by a grand jury on charges of murder, death caused by parental abuse and concealment of a corpse, FOX 5 DC, WCHS and West Virginia’s MetroNews reported at the time, citing the Huntington Police.

At the arraignment on Tuesday, Morrison expressed his concerns about Shannon potentially marrying one of their witnesses, WCHS reported. He said he does not aim to “stand in the way of true love and all of that,” but if the pair were to get married, spousal immunity and spousal privilege statute would hinder her role as a witness in the trial.

Shannon reportedly said he was hoping to get married on Valentine’s Day, per the outlet. 

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Related: W. Va. Baby Vanished in May, and Police Are Searching Pond on Land Owned by Jailed Father

Morrison requested the judge to either issue a delay on the marriage or have the woman testify under oath in a deposition before she marries him, the outlet reported. 

Shannon's lawyer Kerry Nessel said it’s unlikely a judge would be able to delay a marriage, according to WCHS.

The judge said he could “enjoin” the process for two weeks, according to the outlet, to which Nessel responded, the judge “can’t enjoin true love.”

Shannon was denied bond and is due back in court on Jan. 23, WSAZ reported.

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