HAMILTON — One of the last things 3-year-old Courtney Centers did was reach up and put her arms around Kevin Charles Miles.

        And when she did, Mr. Miles recalled: “Oh God, I felt so bad. I realized I had made a big, big mistake with that child. ... She's just a baby.”

Miles

        Sobbing and holding his head, he admitted, in a videotaped Middletown police interview, striking Courtney in the stomach so hard, she gasped for air. “God, I lost it. ... I felt insane. ... I felt possessed.”

        The video was played for jurors Tuesday, the second day of Mr. Miles' trial in Butler County Common Pleas Court. He is accused of murder and felony child endangering in connection with Courtney's death Jan. 1. Authorities say Mr. Miles, 27, of Woodlawn, caused fatal internal injuries when he struck her.

        Prosecutors concluded their case Tuesday without calling Courtney's mother, Tiana, 20, who is serving four years in prison for permitting child abuse.

        Defense attorney Jim Cooper is expected to call at least two witnesses today before the jury of seven women and five men begins deliberations.

Courtney

        Tuesday, prosecutors presented graphic photos of the injuries Courtney suffered: about 43 bruises and a 2-inch gash in her liver. One juror wiped her eyes with a tissue; at least two others grimaced.

        Mr. Miles said he became frustrated with the girl because she “just wouldn't stay seated” and tried to run for her mother when she left for a convenience-store trip on Jan. 1. “I hit her in the stomach. ... I stood her up and I hit her again,” he said.

        Mr. Miles said he was “out of control” and hadn't meant to hit the child so hard with his fist.

        He also said he was in denial about how badly she was hurt.

        “I assumed that she would be OK,” he said. “I tried to play it cool. ... I was just so scared.”

        When he saw that Courtney appeared pale and “just wasn't looking normal,” he gave her a bath and put her to bed. As she uttered, “Mommy” twice, Mr. Miles said he told her: “Just go to sleep, baby. It'll be OK.” Then he left her bedroom door slightly ajar and went to drink a beer.

        Mr. Miles gave that account to police Jan. 2.

        Dr. James Swinehart, a forensic pathologist, estimated Courtney lived three or four hours after suffering the liver injury that filled her belly cavity with blood.

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